Vitrify
To vitrify something or the process of vitrification means the conversion of (something) into glass or a glasslike substance, typically by exposure to heat. Common vitrified building products are often flooring or cladding materials which are vitrified to improve durability, porosity, and for aesthetics, another common vitrified construction product is vitrified clay pipes. Many of these products are created by fusing clay, silica, quartz, and feldspar at high temperatures (around 1200°C) to create a dense, glass-like substance which is resistant to moisture and very hard wearing.
Archaeometallurgy, Guidelines for Best Practice, published by Historic England in 2015, defines vitrification as: ‘…the change into a glassy (vitreous) state, brought about by heating a material. The temperature at which this change takes place can be reduced by the presence of fluxes, which can be accidentally or deliberately added.’
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