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non-metals have their own problems and glass tends to have some really weird properties. I would think a major one would be their failure mode. Metals flex an
by kenned3 4y ago
non-metals have their own problems and glass tends to have some really weird properties.
I would think a major one would be their failure mode. Metals flex and expand before they eventually fail. Glass/ceramic is fine until suddenly it isn't and has a total failure.
Think of a window being hit. If it were metal it would probably deform but if it is glass it shatters.
Next would be joining them on-site. If needed, metal piping can be bent and welded in-place. what do you do with a glass pipe that needs a join? what do you do if there is a small variation in the plans and the pipe needs an adjustment?
I think there are a host of reasons why glass is not used for pipes.
- Turbots 4y agowhat about glass pipes encased in said metals :-)
- deleted 4y ago[deleted]
- HPsquared 4y agoGlass-lined vessels and pipes are already used in the chemical industry so it's a somewhat proven technology. Not sure if it's suited to the chemistry and temperatures (and radiation) of a molten salt reactor, but it seems like an interesting technology.
- systemvoltage 4y agoComposites? Such as the stuff used in Aviation?
- deleted 4y ago[deleted]
- PaulHoule 4y agoMost of those contain plastics which are usually not good for high temperatures but also have long chain molecules which get broken by neutrons and other particles and cannot heal defects the way metals can.
- mulmen 4y agoGlass is already basically welded, or maybe it's more like brazing. But an oxyacetylene torch can be used to work with glass just as well as to cut or weld metal. Metals also have weird properties. Like tempering and hardening based on temperature. In an industrial setting you need expert welders with deep knowledge of the materials or a weld is going to fail and ruin your day. So it doesn't seem like a huge leap to me actually, assuming ceramics or glass actually have desirable properties.
- werdnapk 4y agoDoesn't glass.... melt?
- onlyrealcuzzo 4y agoAt 3100 F. Salt melts at 1474 F.
- eitland 4y ago1704C 801C (or 1978K 1074K)
- mulmen 4y agoSo does metal. Welding is just melting two parts together.