Glass has been used as an engineering material since ancient time. But because of the rapid progress made in the glass industry in recent times, the glass has come out as the most versatile engineering material. The following can be examples of uses of glass as an engineering material:-

•  Used in many components of aeroplanes
•  Fibre glass reinforced with plastics can be used in the construction of furniture, lampshades, bathroom fittings, navy boats, aeroplanes, cars, trucks etc.
• oThe glass is the only material strong enough to go up to the bottom of ocean and maintain its buoyancy. It is therefore used in the construction of noses of deep-diving vehicles
•  The glass linings are applied to equipments likely to be affected by the chemical corrosion such as valves, pumps, pipes etc.
•  In the construction of modern homes, the walls and ceilings of hollow glass blocks can be made. Such construction cut off the glare, but it admits sunlight and controls sound and head in the better way.
• In the field of fire-arms, the glass is used to form riffle barrel which is lighter and stronger than the conventional type.
• It will be interesting to note that now-a-days, it is possible to prepare the colour-changing glass. A window with such glass will be transparent during the day and be a source of light at night.
• The body of a guide missile contains thousands of glass items.
• The development of an advanced of sciences of astronomy and bacteriology are mainly due to the use of optical glass.
• The mechanical strength of ordinary glass varies from 35 to 70 N/mm2. However, due to advance in technology is possible to produce the glass of up to 420 N/mm2.