The new sample differs from conventional sodium-calcium-silicate glass by replacing the two essential components. Instead of soda ash and limestone, either aluminum oxide or iron compounds are used.

what is known

Calcined soda and limestone must be melted together with quartz sand to obtain a normal glass mass, but a large amount of greenhouse gases are released during their melting. In addition, a temperature of 1500 degrees is required to ensure the melting of key components, which means high energy consumption and its production also produces emissions into the atmosphere.

During laboratory tests, the material, called LionGlass, showed Its resistance to crack formation is 10 times higher than that of conventional glass.. In fact, these indicators are even higher – scientists have reached the limit of the capabilities of test equipment and do not yet know the exact limit values.

Already, the creators say that products made from LionGlass can be made much thinner (and therefore lighter) than older glass products, while maintaining the same strength. And lower material consumption will mean less emissions to the atmosphere and even more energy savings.

The new material will be primarily useful in cars to reduce the chance of injury from glass breakage during accidents. It can also be used by consumer electronics manufacturers, for example, to power the screens of our smartphones and computers. Of course, there are prospects in construction, especially for large panoramic windows.