It might surprise you to learn that glass is not technically solid. Nor is it a liquid, for that matter. It exists in a state that’s in between, known as an amorphous solid.
Glass can be blown and shaped, which is great. But it can also crack and break, which is less great. Enter liquid glass.
Liquid glass is a silicon-based coating that has 200% flexibility, is resistant to acid and alkaline, and can withstand extreme temperature changes. It’s great as a cell phone glass, or as a protector of anything that risks breakage.
But what is liquid glass? How does it differ from regular glass and how is it used? Learn what you need to know in this brief liquid glass guide.
Liquid Glass Explained
Traditional glass is formed by heating silicon dioxide, also known as silica. When the silica gets heated into a molten state, it can be shaped, then cooled to harden.
Liquid glass is also made from silica, which is extracted from quartz sand. The difference is that while silica tends to get combined with other elements to make traditional glass, liquid glass consists purely of silica. Also, the silica, once heated, is never allowed to cool enough to harden.
Glass in this state becomes extremely flexible and breathable. It is less likely to develop the flaws that lead to cracks and it’s difficult to break. Liquid glass is also non-toxic and resistant to all manner of hazards, like water, UV radiation, oil, and bacteria infections.
Liquid Glass Uses
Have you ever dropped your cell phone, then picked it up to discover a small crack in the screen? That’s not so bad, you decide and go on about your day. But over time, you notice that the crack starts to expand, growing larger and longer until you have no choice but to replace your phone.
The crack began because there was an imperfection in the glass of your phone from the beginning. The manufacturing company can now coat the glass of your cell phone screen with liquid glass, which will fill in the pores and imperfections in the glass, making the screen stronger and much more durable.
Microbes landing on a surface protected by a liquid glass spray can’t easily divide or replicate, giving it a long-lasting antimicrobial effect. This makes it perfect for food processing companies or kitchens, cutting down on the need to sterilize surfaces with bleach, requiring only a hot water rinse instead.
Trials have also proven the spray, invented by Nanopool, to be effective in medical settings as a coating for everything from equipment to implants to sutures and bandages. It can also increase vines’ resistance to fungal diseases and prevent termite attacks on wood.
Strong and Versatile
Liquid glass may be made from the same base element as traditional glass, but it is much more versatile and a lot stronger. From medical settings to everyday household chores, it protects and strengthens almost anything it’s applied to.
Because of this strength and versatility, plus its non-toxic nature, it will undoubtedly become as ubiquitous as solid glass or household cleaner. The substance is a miracle of modern chemistry and will someday surely become something that we can’t live without.
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