Soda lime glass?aalso referred to as soda glass or soda lime silica glass?ais the most widely used type of glass in the world. Known for its excellent formability, durability, and cost-efficiency, soda lime glass is used in countless everyday applications, from window glass to bottles, jars, and products made of glass. This type of glass is made primarily from glass raw materials such as silica (sand), sodium carbonate, and calcium oxide, all of which influence the chemical composition of glass and its physical properties.

The typical composition of soda lime glass includes:
about 70 - 75% silica(SiO₂)
about 12 - 15% soda(Na₂O)
about 10% lime(CaO)
These components of glass are fused at high temperatures during the formation of glass. The chemical formula of glass may vary slightly depending on the specific application, but soda and lime remain the defining constituents. The chemical formula of limestone, primarily CaCO₃, plays a role as a lime source. When heated, it decomposes to provide calcium oxide.

This glass composition gives soda lime its distinctive properties: moderate chemical resistance, ease of melting, and high optical clarity. The addition of other materials such as alumina, magnesia, or potassium glass can enhance certain mechanical properties of glass like hardness and thermal stability.

Characteristics and properties of soda lime glass
Understanding the characteristics of glass is essential for industries relying on performance and safety. Some core soda lime glass properties include:

Density of glass: approximately 2.5 g/cm³
Glass density and mass of glass affect how it behaves under stress and its suitability for various structures.
Hardness of glass: ranges from 5 to 6 on the Mohs scale
Moderate bending strength of glass
Thermal conductivity: ~1.0W/m.K
Thermal expansion coefficient: ~9x10⁻⁶/K
Softening point: ~720 Celsius degree
Its glass chemical composition provides transparency, resistance to mild acids, and excellent shaping capabilities. However, the strength of glass varies with treatment; for example, chemically toughened glass or tempered glass shows dramatically improved performance under load.