Stiklas

Stiklas, in Lithuanian, refers to glass—a non-crystalline solid material made mainly from silicon dioxide (SiO2) together with other oxides such as sodium oxide and calcium oxide. It is typically transparent and can be molded into a wide range of shapes. Glass is brittle, exhibits low electrical conductivity, has a relatively high hardness, and varies in thermal expansion depending on composition. Its refractive index gives its characteristic clarity and sparkle.

Common glass types include soda-lime glass, used for windows and bottles; borosilicate glass, which has a low coefficient of thermal expansion and is resistant to thermal shock; and lead glass, also known as crystal, valued for its weight and optical properties. Glass can be manufactured by melting sand with fluxes and stabilizers at high temperatures, then shaping while molten and slowly cooling in a process called annealing. Modern production often uses the float glass process to produce flat, uniform panes. Glass can also be formed by blowing, pressing, or extrusion for containers, bottles, and laboratory ware. Additives yield colored, heat-resistant, or UV-filtering variants.

Primary applications include architectural glazing, packaging, tableware, laboratory equipment, and optical fibers (silica glass). Glass is recyclable; cullet (crushed recycled glass) is reused in furnaces to reduce energy use and emissions.

Historically, glass production emerged in the Near East and the Mediterranean in antiquity and expanded through the Roman period. The 20th century saw major advances, including the float glass method and the development of specialized glasses for optics and fiber communications.