---
title: "Properties and uses of glass"
subject: "Civil Engineering Materials"
chapter: 10
key: "semester_3/civil_engineering_materials:properties-uses-of-glass"
source: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_3/civil_engineering_materials/properties-uses-of-glass
site: BCT Engineering
---

# Properties and uses of glass

Civil Engineering Materials · Chapter 10: Asphalt, Bitumen, Tar and Miscellaneous Materials

- Asked in: 2066 Shrawan (old course), 4 marks; 2057 Chaitra (old course), 4 marks; 2069 Chaitra (asked 3 times)
- Video: [Glass Manufacturing,Properties,Use & Types](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BGPaywY1wvs) — Engineering Motive
- Answer checked by Claude Opus 5.5 (high effort) on 2026-10-14
- Page: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_3/civil_engineering_materials/properties-uses-of-glass
- Whole chapter: https://www.bctengineer.com/md/semester_3/civil_engineering_materials/chapter-10

## Question

Give the various properties and uses of glass.

## Short answer

Glass is hard, brittle, transparent, chemically resistant, and a poor conductor of heat and electricity. It is used for windows, doors, partitions, glass blocks, mirrors, insulation (glass wool), safety glazing, lighting fixtures and laboratory equipment.

## Answer

#### Properties of glass

- **Transparent** (or translucent), allowing light to pass through, with a smooth, glossy surface.
- **Hard but brittle:** Strong in compression but weak in tension; it breaks suddenly without warning.
- **Chemical resistance:** Not attacked by water, air or most acids (except hydrofluoric acid); it does not corrode.
- **Non-porous and impervious:** Easy to clean and hygienic.
- **Poor conductor of heat and electricity:** A good insulator.
- **Low thermal expansion** (for borosilicate), but ordinary glass may crack with a sudden temperature change.
- **Workable:** It can be coloured, and moulded, blown or drawn when hot; it can be cut and polished when cold.
- **Recyclable.** Density about 2500 kg/m³.
- **Affected by alkalis** over a long time.

#### Uses

- Glazing of windows, doors, ventilators, skylights, curtain walls and partitions.
- Glass blocks and tiles for walls and floors.
- Mirrors, shop fronts, table tops.
- Insulation in glass wool and fibre-glass reinforced plastics.
- Safety applications: toughened and laminated glass for doors, stairs, railings.
- Lighting fixtures, pipes, tanks and laboratory equipment.

## Check yourself

The answer's key points as multiple-choice questions, with the correct option and why.

1. How does glass behave under loads?
   A. Strong in tension, weak in compression
   B. Equal in both
   C. Strong in compression but weak in tension; breaks suddenly
   D. Ductile
   Answer: C. Glass is hard but brittle: strong in compression, weak in tension. (Key point: Brittleness)

2. Which acid attacks glass?
   A. Hydrochloric
   B. Sulphuric
   C. Nitric
   D. Hydrofluoric
   Answer: D. Glass resists most acids except hydrofluoric acid. (Key point: Chemical resistance)

3. Which glass has low thermal expansion?
   A. Borosilicate
   B. Soda-lime
   C. Toughened
   D. Frosted
   Answer: A. Borosilicate has low thermal expansion; ordinary glass may crack with sudden temperature change. (Key point: Thermal behaviour)

4. Glass is what as to heat and electricity?
   A. Good conductor
   B. Good insulator (poor conductor)
   C. Superconductor
   D. Heat storage only
   Answer: B. It is a poor conductor, hence a good insulator. (Key point: Insulation)

## Related in Civil Engineering Materials

- [Types of glass and their uses](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_3%2Fcivil_engineering_materials%3Atypes-of-glass-uses) — Civil Engineering Materials, chapter 10, asked 4×
- [Uses of plate glass](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_3%2Fcivil_engineering_materials%3Aplate-glass-uses) — Civil Engineering Materials, chapter 10
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