non-metals have their own problems and glass tends to have some really weird properties.
I would think a major one would be their failure mode. Metals flex and expand before they eventually fail. Glass/ceramic is fine until suddenly it isn't and has a total failure.
Think of a window being hit. If it were metal it would probably deform but if it is glass it shatters.
Next would be joining them on-site. If needed, metal piping can be bent and welded in-place. what do you do with a glass pipe that needs a join? what do you do if there is a small variation in the plans and the pipe needs an adjustment?
I think there are a host of reasons why glass is not used for pipes.
I would think a major one would be their failure mode. Metals flex and expand before they eventually fail. Glass/ceramic is fine until suddenly it isn't and has a total failure.
Think of a window being hit. If it were metal it would probably deform but if it is glass it shatters.
Next would be joining them on-site. If needed, metal piping can be bent and welded in-place. what do you do with a glass pipe that needs a join? what do you do if there is a small variation in the plans and the pipe needs an adjustment?
I think there are a host of reasons why glass is not used for pipes.