What is Vitrification?

Vitrification is the process of converting a substance into a glassy or amorphous state, where it loses its crystalline structure and becomes non-crystalline or semi-crystalline. In this state, the material appears glassy or rubbery, and it does not exhibit the typical properties of a crystalline solid, such as a well-defined crystal structure, sharp melting point, and high thermal conductivity.

Unvitrified, on the other hand, refers to a substance that has not undergone vitrification. In other words, it is a substance that still retains its crystalline structure and exhibits the typical properties of a crystalline solid.

For example, most metals are unvitrified, as they maintain their crystalline structure even at high temperatures. In contrast, some materials like glass and rubber are vitrified, meaning they have undergone vitrification and lost their crystalline structure.