Corning Ware, also written CorningWare, was originally a brand name for a unique glass-ceramic (Pyroceram) cookware resistant to thermal shock. It was first introduced in 1958 by Corning Glass Works in the United States. The brand was later spun off with the sale of the Corning Consumer Products Company subsidiary, now known as Corelle Brands.
Original CorningWare saucepans, with the 'Cornflower' decoration
CorningWare: coffee percolator, Saucemaker (background); saucepan, skillet (foreground)
Miniature toy set of CorningWare
Glass-ceramics are polycrystalline materials produced through controlled crystallization of base glass, producing a fine uniform dispersion of crystals throughout the bulk material. Crystallization is accomplished by subjecting suitable glasses to a carefully regulated heat treatment schedule, resulting in the nucleation and growth of crystal phases. In many cases, the crystallization process can proceed to near completion, but in a small proportion of processes, the residual glass phase often remains.
SEM image of two bone-forming osteoblasts crawling over monetite crystals.
A glass-ceramic cooktop
CorningWare casserole dish and other cookware pieces, with the 'Cornflower' pattern decoration