Edge Finish Options
Flat Ground
Flat Polished
Pencil Ground
Pencil Polished
Ground Miter
Bevel
Seamed
Cut
Typical Glass Material
Most float glass is soda-lime glass. This is a low cost glass for general use which is available in thicknesses between 1 and 25mm. It can be processed in a variety of ways and displays good mechanical strength when tempered. However, float glass is not recommended where high temperatures or good chemical resistance are required.
Typical Chemical Analysis
| SiO2 | Na2O | CaO | MgO | Al2O3 | K2O | Fe2O3 | SO3 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 71~73% | 13~14% | 7.5~9.5% | 3.5~4.5% | 1.3~1.5% | 0.03~0.3% | 0.05~0.11% | 0.01~0.3% |
This is a type of high-clarity soda lime glass that is made from silica with very low amounts of iron. This low level of iron removes the greenish-blue tint that can be seen especially on larger and thicker sizes of float glass or apparent when exposed or polished edges are in view. When true color is of paramount importance, low iron glass is the perfect solution. Applications vary from solar collectors to showroom and furniture applications.
Typical Chemical Analysis
| SiO2 | Na2O | CaO | MgO | Al2O3 | K2O | Fe2O3 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 68~78% | 10~18% | 5~13% | 2~6% | 0.1~3.1% | 0.03~0.3% | 0.01~0.015% |
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Borosilicate glasses are known for having very low coefficients of thermal expansion (~3 × 10−6 K−1 at 20 °C), making them resistant to thermal shock.
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It can withstand temperatures up to 450°C for long periods, can be ground, drilled, polished, sandblasted, painted and tempered.
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Besides, it is very resistant to attack from water, alkalis, acids and organic substances.
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This material is extensively used for process applications because of its high resistance to chemical corrosion and temperature change.
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Quartz is the second most abundant mineral in Earth’s continental crust.
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This material has excellent chemical resistance properties and is highly suited to extreme heat applications, with a continuous working temperature of 1150°C and an upper limit of 1300°C.
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Quartz also has good resistance to thermal shock due to its low co-efficient of expansion (0.55×10-6°C), however, this low expansion means that tempering is not possible, and this must be considered if the application involves pressure.
Technology
Silkscreen Printing is a printing technique whereby a mesh is used to transfer paint onto glass, except in areas made impermeable to the paint by a blocking stencil.
Sandblasting is a common technique for creating patterns in glass part, creating a “frosted” look to the glass. High pressure air mixed with an abrasive material cuts away at the glass surface to create the desired effect. The longer the stream of air and abrasive material are focused in one spot, the deeper the cut.
Tempering puts the outer surfaces of glass into compression and the interior into tension. Such stresses cause the glass, when broken, to crumble into small granular chunks instead of splintering into jagged shards as plate glass (a.k.a. annealed glass) does.