Ask A Scientist Chemistry Archive

Question:
Our ChemCom class knows that glass is made of silicon
and oxygen. What else is added to these elements and/or 
what special procedures are done to create bullet-proof 
glass?  thanks, terry guedri
 
Answer 1:
An interesting question. I recall watching a video
hosted by Roald Hoffman and telecast on PBS in which
this question was answered. As I recall, if glasses are
doped with small cations like Li+, Na+, etc. they become
amazingly strong.
I recommend that you write to the Corning company (located in
upstate New York) and ask for an answer to your question,
they may be able to give you a more detailed answer than I can.
Anyone else have some information out there?
 
prof topper
 
Answer 2:
Bullet-proof glass can be just extra thick, extra strong glass,
but is more often a sandwich of different glasses and plastics.
There is no specific recipe or formula: there are many different
kinds of "bullet-proof glass"
 
Extra credit: what are the windows in the space shuttle cockpit
made from?
 jade hawk