In enameling, what happens to the powdered glass when heated?

• A. It dries into a powdery film
• B. It melts and turns into a smooth, shiny coating
• C. It forms a rough matte layer
• D. It evaporates

Answer: (B)

In enameling, the powdered glass (enamel) is designed to melt and fuse to the surface when heated. The heat makes the glass particles soften and flow, so they spread into a continuous, smooth, glossy coating as they fuse with the underlying metal. This glassy layer then solidifies to form a durable, protective glaze with the color from the enamel. If it only dried, it wouldn’t fuse; if it evaporated, the coating would disappear. So the key idea is that heating causes melting and fusion into a smooth, shiny coating.