Yes, heat can destroy glass, primarily by causing it to break through a phenomenon called thermal shock.
Glass is susceptible to damage from rapid temperature changes. According to the reference, glass objects are particularly vulnerable to failure from thermal shock. This vulnerability stems from properties like its low strength and low thermal conductivity, which means heat doesn't spread evenly or quickly throughout the material.
The reference specifically states: "If the glass is then suddenly exposed to extreme heat, the shock will cause the glass to break."
Thermal shock occurs when different parts of a glass object expand or contract at different rates due to a sudden temperature change. For example, if extreme heat is applied rapidly to one part of the glass, that area expands quickly while adjacent areas remain cooler and don't expand as much. This difference in expansion creates significant internal stress within the glass structure.
If this stress exceeds the material's tensile strength, the glass will crack or shatter. This breaking is a form of destruction.
Factors Contributing to Glass Failure from Heat
- Sudden Temperature Changes: Rapid heating or cooling is the main trigger for thermal shock.
- Extreme Temperatures: Higher temperature differences create greater stress.
- Glass Properties: Low strength and low thermal conductivity make standard glass types more prone to thermal shock failure.
- Object Shape and Thickness: Complex shapes or varying thickness can concentrate stress.
While heat can destroy glass by causing it to break via thermal shock, extremely high temperatures can also melt glass, but breaking from thermal shock is a more common form of heat-induced destruction in everyday scenarios.
