Vitreous refers to a material in an amorphous, glassy state (in contrast to a crystalline state). In such a state, the constituent atoms do not exhibit the long-range order that is characteristic of crystals. However, they still exhibit short-range order -- the separation of atoms and/or the lengths of covalent bonds are very close to their typical equilibrium distances. The creation of a vitreous material by supercooling or by addition of additives prior to cooling is called vitrification. Toilets are made of vitreous china, one of the few materials able to withstand the harsh (caustic) chemicals used to clean them. An amorphous solid is a solid in which there is no long-range order of the positions of the atoms. ... This article is about the material. ... Crystal (disambiguation) Insulin crystals A crystal is a solid in which the constituent atoms, molecules, or ions are packed in a regularly ordered, repeating pattern extending in all three spatial dimensions. ... For other uses, see Atom (disambiguation). ... In physics, long-range order characterizes physical systems in which remote portions of the same sample exhibit correlated behavior. ... For other uses, see Crystal (disambiguation). ... “Covalent” redirects here. ... Apparatus for carrying out acid-base titration. ... Supercooling is the process of chilling a liquid below its freezing point, without it becoming solid. ... A vitrification experiment for the study of nuclear waste disposal at Pacific Northwest National Labs Vitrification is a process of converting a material into a glass-like amorphous solid which is free of any crystalline structure, either by the quick removal or addition of heat, or by mixing with an...

Under certain conditions, vitreous materials may begin to rearrange themselves into crystals. This process is referred to as devitrification. Natural volcanic glass, obsidian will de-vitrify or crystallize over extended periods of geologic time. Devitrification can also occur much more quickly in dishwashers due to the chemicals involved in their detergents.^[1] For other uses, see Crystal (disambiguation). ... This article is about volcanoes in geology. ... This article is about a type of volcanic glass. ... The table and timeline of geologic periods presented here is in accordance with the dates and nomenclature proposed by the International Commission on Stratigraphy. ... A Dishwasher A two drawer DishDrawer dishwasher. ...

Other uses

• When applied to whiteware ceramics vitreous means the material has an extremely low permeability to liquids, often but not always water, when determined by a specified test regime. The microstructure of whiteware ceramics frequently contain both amorphous and crystalline phases
• A vitreous luster in mineralogy refers to a glassy luster or sheen of a mineral surface. The minerals quartz and fluorite exhibit a vitreous luster.
• The vitreous humour (British spelling) or vitreous humor (U.S. spelling) is the clear gel that fills the space between the lens and the retina of the eyeball of humans and other vertebrates.

Fixed Partial Denture, or Bridge The word ceramic is derived from the Greek word κεραμικός (keramikos). ... Fixed Partial Denture, or Bridge The word ceramic is derived from the Greek word κεραμικός (keramikos). ... An amorphous solid is a solid in which there is no long-range order of the positions of the atoms. ... Mineralogy is an earth science that involves the chemistry, crystal structure, and physical (including optical) properties of minerals. ... For other uses, see Quartz (disambiguation). ... Fluorite (also called fluor-spar) is a mineral composed of calcium fluoride, CaF2. ... Vitreous humour is the clear aqueous solution that fills the space between the lens and the retina of the vertebrate eyeball. ...

See also

• Wiktionary definition of vitreous
• Amorphous
• Glass
• Vitrification

An amorphous solid is a solid in which there is no long-range order of the positions of the atoms. ... This article is about the material. ... A vitrification experiment for the study of nuclear waste disposal at Pacific Northwest National Labs Vitrification is a process of converting a material into a glass-like amorphous solid which is free of any crystalline structure, either by the quick removal or addition of heat, or by mixing with an...

References

1. ^ Ancient glass (has a section mentioning devitrification)