What is enamel? In modern Russian, a word can have several meanings, both etymologically correct and “colloquial”, not quite correct. Let's look at technical enamel and tooth enamel as examples of the most obvious uses of the word in the literal sense. It is also worth paying attention to the concepts of “enamel-paint” and “enamelware”, which are very commonly used in everyday life, which are not directly related to the actual concept of enamel.
"Enamel": the meaning of the word. Direct meaning
So, in the technical sense of the word, enamel is a glass-like layer of small thickness, which is obtained by high-temperature firing. It is in this sense that the word "enamel" came into the Russian language from French. Moreover, the technologies for its production have been known in Russia since at least the twelfth century, but then the word “finift” was in use.
What is technical enamel? It can also have a practical meaning (for example, corrosion protectionunderlying layers), and artistic (picturesque miniatures created using the mentioned technology). It should be noted that often, in the everyday sense, the finished products of production themselves are also called enamels, especially in the plural. For example, a collection of painted enamel saucers can be called a set of enamels.
Enamel powder production components varied greatly depending on the geography and time of production. What is enamel and modern technologies? Most often made from a mixture of oxides of silicon, boron, titanium, aluminum, lead, zinc and other metals.
And the addition of specific ions allows you to achieve the desired color of the finished layer. Also, over the past decades, methods for applying the starting material have improved, such as atomizers and electrostatic chambers, which allow you to achieve a very uniform layer.
"Tooth" meaning
The word "enamel" what else does it mean? 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 due to the hydrated form of apatite, which is “reinforced” with inclusions of magnesium, chlorine, fluorine, barium, chromium, and a small number of organic substances. Of the organic components, collagen should be noted, which significantly increases the practical strength of enamel due toreducing the fragility of the latter.
Strong enamel - strong teeth
For a modern person, caring for enamel is an important component of hygiene and prevention of oral diseases. The predominantly apatite composition protects the crown mechanically, however, it itself is poorly protected from an aggressive environment and is extremely sensitive to the acidity of the environment.
Already at a pH value of 4.6, the tooth enamel undergoes tangible destruction. Normally, the acidity of saliva does not reach such values, however, bacteria in the oral cavity quickly “acidify” the environment. A by-product of their activity is organic acids, which pose the greatest threat to enamel.
The problem is solved by removing food debris after eating, which deprives the microflora of its own nutrition. Another danger to enamel lies in products that initially have a pronounced acidity. For example, substances found in certain fruits (organic acids) or soft drinks (phosphoric acid) can cause harm.
What is enamel? Figurative meaning
It is easy to see that the general meaning of any of the definitions of enamel is a thin protective layer. That is why in everyday life such concepts as “enamelware” and “enamel paint” arose. They have nothing to do with real enamel, but verbally “enamel” carries a protective meaning in them.
Enameled utensils are called kitchen utensils in everyday life, in which metal (usually steel) is covered with thin glass-like ceramics. The layer performs a protectivefunction, and avoids contact between food and metal.
Enamel paints are varnish-based protective coatings for metal components in the industry. They contain a solvent, the actual varnish, coloring pigments, fillers and special additives. As it becomes clear, the everyday answer to the question about what "enamel" is is not quite competent in relation to enamel paints, either in terms of ingredients or in terms of the method of application to the surface.
