Compare the Difference Between Similar Terms

Difference Between

Home / Science & Nature / Science / Chemistry / Industrial Chemistry / Difference Between Glass and Ceramic

Difference Between Glass and Ceramic

September 17, 2011 Posted by Madhu

The key difference between glass and ceramic is that ceramics have crystalline or semi-crystalline or non-crystalline atomic structure whereas the atomic structure of glass is non-crystalline.

Ceramics and glass have many applications that require qualities such as hardness, rigidity, high resistance to heat, corrosion, etc. We use a vast range of ceramic materials in the day to day life. Some of them are Pottery, porcelain, bricks, tiles, glass, cement, etc. Although we can categorize glass under the group of ceramic materials, there are differences between them depending on its atomic structure that accounts for its unique characteristics.

CONTENTS

1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is Glass
3. What is Ceramic
4. Side by Side Comparison – Glass vs Ceramic in Tabular Form
5. Summary

What is Glass?

We can define glass as an amorphous solid that does not have a long-range periodic atomic structure, and it shows a glass transition behaviour. Accordingly, this glass transition behaviour is characteristic of non-crystalline (amorphous) and semi-crystalline materials. There, upon heating, the glass shows a rubber-like state over a temperature range which we call the glass transition temperature. Therefore, this falls below its melting temperature.

Difference Between Glass and Ceramic_Fig 01

Figure 01: A Glass Window

After that, we should super cool the glass without letting it gain the crystalline structure. Formation of glass requires network formers such as SiO2, B2O3, P2O5, GeO2, etc. and intermediates such as Ti, Pb, Zn, Al, etc. to take part in the glass network, and modifiers to break the network structure. Pure silica glass, Soda- Lime- Silica glass, Lead- Alkali- Silicate glass and Borosilicate glass are types of glass.

What is Ceramic?

We can define ceramic as an inorganic nonmetallic material that gets hardened at high temperatures. The atomic structure of ceramic can be either crystalline, non-crystalline or partially crystalline. However, most often, ceramics have a crystalline atomic structure.

In addition, we can classify ceramics as traditional or advanced ceramic mainly depending on their applications. Most ceramics are opaque except glass. Silica, Clay, Limestone, Magnesia, Alumina, Borates, Zirconia, etc. are useful as raw materials for ceramics.

Difference Between Glass and Ceramic_Fig 02

Figure 02: A Pot made of Ceramic

Furthermore, this material is shock resistant, high strength, abrasion resistant material. However, their electrical conductivity is poor. Apart from that, we can fabricate this material via forming a paste containing very fine powder of raw materials and water into a given shape and then by sintering. Due to manufacturing processes, ceramic is a little more expensive than glass. Moreover, natural ceramics like stones, clay, and porcelain are also useful in the day to day life.

What is the Difference Between Glass and Ceramic?

Both ceramics and glass are inorganic nonmetallic solids that we use for many applications ranging from pottery to advanced engineering materials in the aerospace industry. Glass is an amorphous solid which does not have a long-range periodic atomic structure, and it shows a glass transition behaviour while ceramic is an inorganic nonmetallic material which gets hardened at high temperatures. The key difference between glass and ceramic is that ceramics have crystalline or semi-crystalline or non-crystalline atomic structure whereas the atomic structure of glass is non-crystalline.

Even though glass has a different atomic structure, it is hard, rigid, brittle, and resistant to thermal conduction, chemical corrosion and electrical conduction like most ceramics.

The below infographic presents more details on the difference between glass and ceramic.

Difference Between Glass and Ceramic in Tabular Form

Summary – Glass vs Ceramic

Both glass and ceramic are very important materials that we use in our day to day life frequently. The key difference between glass and ceramic is that ceramics have crystalline or semi-crystalline or non-crystalline atomic structure whereas the atomic structure of glass is non-crystalline.

Reference:

1. Britannica, The Editors of Encyclopaedia. “Glass.” Encyclopædia Britannica, Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc., 22 Nov. 2018. Available here  
2. “What Are Ceramics?” Science Learning Hub. Available here

Image Courtesy:

1.”1267280″ (Public Domain) via pxhere
2.”962451″ (Public Domain) via pxhere

Related posts:

Key Difference Between Nuclear Reactor and Nuclear BombDifference Between Nuclear Reactor and Nuclear Bomb Difference Between Alloy and AluminumDifference Between Alloy and Aluminum Difference Between Gasoline and Kerosene and DieselDifference Between Gasoline and Kerosene and Diesel Difference Between Sponge Iron and Pig IronDifference Between Sponge Iron and Pig Iron Key Difference Between Gas and PetrolDifference Between Gas and Petrol

Filed Under: Industrial Chemistry

About the Author: Madhu

Madhu is a graduate in Biological Sciences with BSc (Honours) Degree and currently persuing a Masters Degree in Industrial and Environmental Chemistry. With a mind rooted firmly to basic principals of chemistry and passion for ever evolving field of industrial chemistry, she is keenly interested to be a true companion for those who seek knowledge in the subject of chemistry.

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Request Article

Featured Posts

Difference Between Coronavirus and Cold Symptoms

Difference Between Coronavirus and Cold Symptoms

Difference Between Coronavirus and SARS

Difference Between Coronavirus and SARS

Difference Between Coronavirus and Influenza

Difference Between Coronavirus and Influenza

Difference Between Coronavirus and Covid 19

Difference Between Coronavirus and Covid 19

You May Like

Difference Between Want and Desire

Difference Between Want and Desire

What is the Difference Between Saturated and Unsaturated Triglycerides

What is the Difference Between Saturated and Unsaturated Triglycerides

Difference Between Idea and Thought

Difference Between Laugh and Smile

Difference Between Mitosis and Amitosis

Difference Between Mitosis and Amitosis

Latest Posts

  • What is the Difference Between de Quervain’s Tenosynovitis and Carpal Tunnel
  • What is the Difference Between Herniated Disc and Piriformis Syndrome
  • What is the Difference Between Spinal Stenosis and Spondylosis
  • What is the Difference Between Lip Flip and Lip Filler
  • What is the Difference Between Bone Spurs and Plantar Fasciitis
  • What is the Difference Between Tension Pneumothorax and Cardiac Tamponade
  • Home
  • Vacancies
  • About
  • Request Article
  • Contact Us

Copyright © 2010-2018 Difference Between. All rights reserved. Terms of Use and Privacy Policy: Legal.