Borosilicate glasses and fused silica are resistant to thermal shock. Why is this so?

Thermal shock occurs when a material undergoes rapid temperature changes, causing mechanical stress due to the uneven expansion and contraction of its components. This stress can result in cracking or breaking of the material. Hence, materials with high resistance to thermal shock can withstand rapid temperature changes without breaking or undergoing significant damage.

Borosilicate glasses are a type of glass made by combining silica (silicon dioxide) with boron trioxide (B2O3). The presence of boron makes the glass more resistant to both chemical and thermal stress. Fused silica, on the other hand, is a high-purity, amorphous form of silica that has been melted and cooled without crystallizing. Both borosilicate glasses and fused silica have particular properties that contribute to their thermal shock resistance: 1. Low thermal expansion coefficient: The thermal expansion coefficient of a material measures how much it expands or contracts when its temperature changes. Both borosilicate glasses and fused silica have low thermal expansion coefficients, meaning they do not expand or contract much with temperature changes. This reduces the stress placed on the material during thermal cycling. 2. High thermal conductivity: Both materials have high thermal conductivity, which means they can transfer heat evenly and rapidly throughout their structure. This property ensures that temperature gradients within the material are minimized, reducing the risk of localized stress and subsequent damage. 3. Low glass transition temperature: The glass transition temperature (Tg) is the temperature at which a material transitions from a brittle, glassy state to a more ductile, rubbery one. Borosilicate glasses and fused silica both have relatively low Tg, meaning they become more pliable at lower temperatures. This property allows them to absorb some of the stresses induced by temperature changes and lowers the risk of breaking.

Borosilicate glasses and fused silica are resistant to thermal shock due to their low thermal expansion coefficients, high thermal conductivity, and low glass transition temperatures. These properties prevent the buildup of stresses that could lead to cracking or breaking and allow them to withstand rapid temperature changes without significant damage.