How to distinguish quartz from glass

The surface of glass is smooth, and it is a commonly used material in construction and decoration. It has inorganic minerals like quartz sand, barite, barium carbonate, limestone, and feldspar. It also contains some oxides. Manufacturers create quartz wafers by melting quartz. Then, they cut and grind them. They are mainly used in scientific research and military industries. A single component can exceed 99.99%. Quartz products include: quartz tube,quartz plate, quartz rod, quartz crucible, quartz instrument, quartz ingot, quartz crystal singing product and ect.

How to distinguish quartz from glass

There are many differences between the two. To sum up, they can be roughly classified as follows:

Different component contents.

Quartz wafers are highly pure. Their main component is silicon dioxide, which makes up over 99.99%.

Glass, due to its various types, has a rather complex composition. It looks clear and perfect, but it’s really a mix of different minerals. This includes quartz sand, barite, feldspar, and soda ash.

Different hardness

Quartz plates have a hardness second only to jade and diamond, reaching a Mohs hardness of 7. You often find them in the metallurgical, construction, and chemical industries. You can also see them in grinding processes.

Glass has a Mohs hardness of 5 to 6. This means it can be easily scratched, which lowers its light transmission.

The light transmittance is different.

Quartz plates send 90-92% of infrared rays and more than 80% of ultraviolet rays. This is possible even without an anti-reflective coating. The optical industry uses them more frequently.

Ordinary glass blocks ultraviolet rays but lets some infrared rays through.

Different degrees of purity

Quartz wafers have a simple composition. They contain over 99.99% silicon dioxide.

The types of glass vary a lot, so the raw materials used are different too. For instance, the lead content in crystal glass can be as high as 24% to 30%.

The high-temperature resistance characteristics are different.

Quartz plates resist high temperatures. Their softening point is over 1730 degrees Celsius. You can use them safely at 1100 degrees Celsius.

Glass is a mixture. Its ignition point can change based on the substances in it. This means it does not have a set ignition point.

Corrosion resistance varies.

Quartz plates resist acid corrosion very well. They are 30 times stronger than ceramics and 150 times stronger than stainless steel.

Glass can lose its shine over time. This happens because of its complex makeup and erosion from the atmosphere and rain.

Cost difference

Quartz plates cost more than regular glass. This is because they resist high temperatures better. They also have greater purity, hardness, and light transmittance. But, because they are more durable, the long-term usage cost is actually lower.

Glass is cheaper because it doesn’t have a fixed melting point. But it remains metastable, so we need to replace it more often.