Strong Glass? It Does Exist!

Strong Glass? It Does Exist!
article writer
by Keith McCauley
September 8, 2020, Updated October 28, 2022

Glass. You find it everywhere. It's used for containers, windows, eyeglasses, phones, insulation, and other amazing applications. It comes in countless different colors, like flint, black, red, amber, and more. Did you also know that there are ways to make glass more unbreakable? I bet you have some of this improved glass in your kitchen.

Unbroken (Glass Bottles)

This month's calendar wallpaper is based on the 2014 film Unbroken. Instead of telling the amazing story of Louis Zamperini though, our calendar tells the tale of unbreakable glass. Okay, so maybe this glass isn't indestructible, but less breakable than ordinary glass bottles!

Borosilicate Glass

There are different ways to develop unbreakable glass. The first we will explore is borosilicate glass. This type of glass was developed in the late 19th century by a German glassmaker named Otto Schott. Borosilicate glass is made by adding boric oxide to the glass mixture. This process creates a type of glass that is more resistant to thermal shock than ordinary glass. What this means is that the glass can withstand changes in heat without shattering. It isn't completely unbreakable, but it is sturdier than regular soda lime glass. In fact, this is the process that was used to invent the common household bake ware Pyrex. Borosilicate glass is also used for lab equipment. Ordinary glass would shatter under intense heat, but beakers and test tubes made this way are much stronger.

Tempered Glass

Tempered Glass door

Another method of making unbreakable glass is a process called tempering. This is done by treating the outside layers of the glass with heat or chemical processes. Tempered glass is found in your kitchen, your garage, and even in your pocket! Many American companies now use tempered soda lime silicate to make durable bake ware instead of borosilicate glass. This makes them slightly less tolerant to heat changes, but makes them more resistant to breaking. If you are constantly dropping your pie pans on the floor or whacking a bowl with a mixing spoon, you would benefit from more impact resistance. Tempering is also used to make your phone screen stronger and your car windows less likely to shatter.

Truly Unbreakable?

Neither of these two types of glass is completely unbreakable. But borosilicate glass can withstand heat changes better than ordinary glass, and tempered soda lime silicate glass is more resistant to impact breakage. So if you want a stronger option for your glassware, check out these two types of glass. And if you want more Container and Packaging calendar wallpapers, you can find them all here!