During the synthesis of glass samples, for 1 composition I got a milky white shiny opaque sample rather than a transparent glass. In some articles I read that such samples are called opal glass. Also, for one more different composition I got a white rough ceramic like opaque sample. What do these two products refer to?
As per XRD pattern both are crystalline. But what is the reason behind their appearance, i.e., one is shiny and another is rough like ceramic?
Hello Naziya,
As far as I know it, the term "opal glass" is used to refer to a commercial glass that looks milky white due to the addition of some whitening agent like SnO. The samples you describe have achieved the same effect through partial crystallization. During synthesis, you have formed in both compositions a glass ceramic. The white coloration is due to Mie scattering from the crystal/glass interface. The difference in appearance (one shiny, the other flat) is due to the degree of crystallization. In the shiny one, you still have enough glass phase left to give you the glassy sheen, in the flat looking one, you have crystallized so much that the piece appears ceramic.
Hope this helps!
Cheers,
David
I agreed with Musgraves. The shining is dependent on the degree of crystallization. It means, more glassy phase demonstrated more shining.
glasses may be transparent or opaque for visible light. what ever may be the color of the sample that sample is called glass only. I also got black colored glasses for my composition. your shiny sample may have roughness inside when you break it. The roughness,color and formation of the sample depends on the composition and heating effect on the sample. ceramic samples may have shiny surface also. internal structure can only determine the crystallinity of the sample. I think my answer helps little bit to you.
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