What is enamel: the basic meaning of the word
What is enamel? In modern Russian the word can have several meanings, both true etymologically, and "conversational", not completely correct. Let's consider the technical enamel and tooth enamel as examples of the most obvious uses of this word in the literal sense. Also worth paying attention to the very commonly used in everyday life concepts of "enamel paint" and "enamelware", which have no direct relationship to the actual concept of enamel.
"Enamel": the meaning of the word. Direct sense
So, in the technical sense of the word, enamel issmall thickness glass-like layer, which is obtained by high-temperature roasting. It is in this sense that the word "enamel" came from French into Russian. And the technology of its production is known in Russia at least from the twelfth century, but then the word "enamel" was in circulation.
What is enamel technical? It can carry both practical meaning (for example, protection against corrosion of the underlying layers), and artistic (pictorial miniatures created by the mentioned technology). It should be noted that quite often in the everyday sense enamels are also called the finished products of production, especially in the plural. For example, a collection of painted enamel saucers can be called a set of enamels.
Components of making enamel powder stronglydiffered depending on geography and production time. What is enamel and modern technology? Most often it is made of a mixture of oxides of silicon, boron, titanium, aluminum, lead, zinc and other metals.
"Tooth" meaning
The word "enamel" which means more? So, in anatomy and dentistry, tooth enamel is called a very strong thin layer of inorganic substances (about 97%) and organic (about 3%), which protects the crown of the tooth. This material is the most waterless part of the human body, and also the most durable part-time.
The exceptional hardness of tooth enamel is explainedhydrated form of apatite, which is "reinforced" with impregnations of magnesium, chlorine, fluorine, barium, chromium, a small number of organic substances. From organic components it is necessary to note collagen, which substantially increases the practical strength of enamel due to reduction of fragility of the latter.
Strong enamel - strong teeth
For a modern man care of enamel is an importantcomponent of hygiene and prevention of oral disease. Predominantly apatite composition protects the crown mechanically, however, it is poorly protected from aggressive medium and extremely sensitive to acidity of the medium.
Even at a pH of 4.6, the tooth enamel undergoestangible destruction. Normally, the acidity of saliva does not reach such values, but bacteria in the oral cavity quickly "acidify" the medium. A by-product of their activities are organic acids, which are the greatest threat to enamel.
The problem is solved by removing food residues afterfood, which deprives the microflora proper nutrition. Another danger for enamel lies in products that initially have a pronounced acidity. So, the harm can cause substances contained in some fruits (organic acids) or soft drinks (orthophosphoric acid).
What is enamel? Figurative sense
It is not difficult to see that the general meaning of any ofdefinitions of enamel is a kind of thin protective layer. That is why in the everyday life of man there were such concepts as "enamelware" and "enamel paint". To the real enamel they have no relation, however verbally "enamel" bears a protective meaning in them.
Enameled dishes are called in the home kitchenAccessories in which metal (more often steel) is coated with a thin glass-like ceramic. The layer performs a protective function, and also avoids contact between food and metal.
Enamels are protective coatings formetal components in the industry, made on the basis of varnish. They contain a solvent, lacquer, paint pigments, fillers and special additives. As it becomes clear, the usual answer to the rumor about what "enamel" is, is not completely competent with respect to enamels-paints, either in terms of ingredients, or in terms of the method of application to the surface.
