PEM 122

BET 02- 1 A

Submitted by:
NOVEROS, KYM IVY M.

Submitted to:
Mr. RODELO B. JONOTA
 WHAT IS GLASS?

Glass is known for its fragility as well as firmness that makes it typical of a solid. At the same
time, it can be qualified as a liquid, owing to its somewhat fluid nature. But, scientifically, glass is
what is called an amorphous solid – a state between two states of matter. In terms of conductivity,
glass has neither thermal nor electrical, since it has no reaction with the commonly known chemical
compounds.

WHAT IS GLASS MADE OF?

The primary raw materials in glass are sand, soda, limestone, clarifying agents, coloring and
glistening glass. Glass sand is about ¾th of the entire glass composition.

HOW IS GLASS PRODUCED?

A float line is almost like a river of glass that exits the furnace before its cooling process. It
makes its way to nearly 300 meters, after which it is cut into large sheets; these sheets typically
measure 3.21x2.25 meters. Hence a float line is capable of continuously producing glass round-the-
clock.
1. BATCHING OF RAW MATERIALS

The main components, comprising silica sand, calcium oxide, soda & magnesium are
weighed and mixed into batches to which recycled glass (cullet) is added. The use of ‘cullet’
reduces the consumption of energy. The materials are tested and stored for mixing later under
computerized control. The superior clarity offered by Saint-Gobain Clear Glass, is a result of
purity in raw materials, precision in composition and strict adherence to high quality
standards in the manufacturing process. The company has a dedicated sand beneficiation plant
in Tada where silica sand (to be used in manufacturing) is purified, and excess iron content is
removed from the material.
2. MELTING OF RAW MATERIALS IN THE FURNACE

The batched raw materials pass from a mixing silo to a five-chambered furnace
where they become molten. Temperatures in the furnace reach up to 1600°C.

3. DRAWING THE MOLTEN GLASS ONTO THE TIN BATH

The molten glass is then “floated” onto a bath of molten tin at a temperature of about
1000°C. It forms a “ribbon” which is normally between 5 and 6 mm. By suitably drawing
the glass through a complex process involving top roll machines, ribbon thickness in the
range of 1.9mm to 19mm can be achieved. The glass, which is highly viscous, and the tin,
which is very fluid, do not mix and the contact surface between these two materials is
perfectly flat, giving the term “flat” glass to the final product.

4. COOLING OF THE MOLTEN GLASS IN THE ANNEALING LEHR

On leaving the bath of molten tin, the glass – now at a temperature of 600°C – has
cooled down sufficiently to pass to an annealing chamber called a lehr. The glass is now
hard enough to pass over rollers and is annealed, which modifies the internal stresses,
enabling it to be cut and worked in a predictable way and ensuring flatness of the glass. As
both surfaces are fire finished, they need no grinding or polishing.

5. QUALITY CHECKS, AUTOMATIC CUTTING, AND STORAGE

After cooling, the glass undergoes rigorous quality checks. It is then cut into sheets
of sizes varying upto a maximum of 6000mm x 3660 mm which are, in turn, automatically
stacked, stored and ready for transport.
 TYPES OF GLASS
SODA-LIME GLASS

Soda-lime glass, also known as soda-lime-silica glass or window glass is a type of

glass that contains 70% silica (silica dioxide), 15% soda (sodium oxide), and 9% lime
(calcium oxide). It is the most common and least expensive type of glass.

Where soda serves as a flux to lower the temperature at which the silica melts, and the lime
acts as a stabilizer for the silica.

USES:
It has construction applications like glass doors and windows. It is used in the
manufacturing of bottles and containers for food and beverages. It is used as a high voltage
insulator, light bulbs, laboratory ware, an art and decorative object.
PROPERTIES AND CHARACTERISTICS
It is cheap, chemically stable, hard, and extremely reliable. It is used to manufacture
light bulbs, windows, bottles, and art objects. It is a soft glass, which eases the fabrication
process via cutting. Additives are added to increase its strength and thermal shock resistance.

LEAD GLASS

Lead glass is also known as lead-oxide glass or lead crystal which contains at least
20% lead oxide. It contains lead oxide instead of calcium oxide as compared to soda-lime
glass. The addition of PbO makes the glass more bright and lustrous.
USES:
It is used for shielding to protect against X-rays and gamma-rays in medical,
technical, and research work. It is used for decorative purposes, for making optical glasses
because of its refractive index, and for making ornaments, neon sign tubing, drinking glasses,
etc.
PROPERTIES AND CHARACTERISTICS
It has a high refractive index, making the look of glassware more brilliant. It has high
elasticity, making the glassware more workable and reliable. It has a lower softening
temperature compared to soda glass. It has good electrical insulating properties and has a
lower melting temperature.
ARMOURED GLASS

Armored glass or Bulletproof glass is a strong optically transparent material that can
resist the penetration of fast-moving sharp objects like bullets. Bulletproof glass is very
different from ordinary glass which is manufactured by sandwiching a polycarbonate material
between two layers of ordinary glass via lamination process.

USES:
It is applied in various settings where safety and security are paramount. It’s used in
places like banks to protect against robberies, government buildings to guard against potential
attacks, and armored vehicles to shield occupants from gunfire during transportation of
valuable items or important individuals.
PROPERTIES AND CHARACTERISTICS
It is constructed to bear the influence of bullets and other projectiles without breaking
or shattering. It is highly long lasting and resistant to scratches, abrasion, and other types of
wear and tear. It is fire resistant and can bear high temperatures without disrupting its structure.

SAFETY GLASS

Safety glass is a type of glass that is specifically designed to be less likely to break and
fewer chances of giving injury when it breaks. It also includes glass that is manufactured for
strength or fire resistance.

USES:
It is used in burglar resistance, sound reduction, sloped glazing, and space enclosures.
By changing the thickness and color of PVB, it can be used to reduce the transmission of solar
energy, control glare, and filter out ultraviolet radiation. It is used in roofs, floors, and car
windshields. They are also used in high securities areas like Banks, ATMs, etc.

PROPERTIES AND CHARACTERISTICS

It consists of multiple layers bonded together, providing increased resistance to impact
and breakage. When safety glass breaks, it shatters into small, relatively harmless pieces
instead of large, sharp shards like regular glass. It provides additional security benefits due to
its ability to resist forced entry and penetration. It also incorporate interlayers that filter out
harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays, providing protection against sun damage and reducing fading of
interior furnishings and artwork.
BOROSILICATE GLASS

Borosilicate glass is a type of glass that contains silica and boron trioxide as glass
formers and sodium oxide as a fluxing agent. It also contains a small amount of alumina and
less alkaline solids.

USES:
It is used in making laboratory ware and kitchenware. It is used in making pipelines in
chemical plants. It is used as electrical insulators, telescope lenses and other optical
instruments, and in high-intensity lighting products.

PROPERTIES AND CHARACTERISTICS

Borosilicate glasses have a low coefficient of thermal expansion as compared to the
soda-lime glass which makes it less vulnerable to cracking from thermal shock. It offer
excellent chemical resistance and provide good chemical stability. That’s why the laboratory
apparatus is made up of Borosilicate glass. It is far more durable than other traditional glass and
can withstand accidents that would break other glassware, and has high electrical resistance.

FLUOROSILICATE GLASS
Fluorosilicate glass (FSG) is a type of glass that is composed primarily of fluorine,
silicon, and oxygen. It has many uses in industries especially semiconductor fabrication where
it forms an insulating dielectric.
Fluorosilicate glass has a low K-dielectric and is used in between copper metal layers
during the silicon integrated circuit fabrication process.

USES:
Fluorosilicate glass is essential for manufacturing optical fibers used in
telecommunications networks. Fluorosilicate glass fibers are also utilized in medical imaging
devices such as endoscopes and other diagnostic equipment. Fluorosilicate glass fibers find
applications in sensors and instrumentation systems for measuring temperature, pressure, strain,
and other physical parameters. They provide accurate and reliable data transmission in harsh
environments where traditional electrical sensors may not be suitable.

PROPERTIES AND CHARACTERISTICS

Fluorosilicate glass exhibits low optical loss, meaning it allows light to pass through
with minimal attenuation. It has high transparency in the infrared spectrum, making it ideal for
transmitting light signals over long distances without significant degradation. It possess
mechanical strength and durability, allowing them to withstand bending, twisting, and handling
during installation and operation.
COLOURED GLASS

Colored glass is a type of glass that is colored in nature instead of being transparent.
The colored glass is produced by adding coloring agents which are oxides of transitional
elements, especially the first group: Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, and Cu.
Color is produced by the absorption of certain light frequencies by agents in the
solution in the glass. Color is produced by colloidal particles precipitated within an originally
colorless glass by heat treatment.

USES:
Most of the colored glass is used for decorative purposes in houses, hotels, and other
commercial buildings. They are used to make different types of stylish kitchenware like
bottles, bowls, etc. They are also used in entertainment lightning in various clubs, biscuits, etc.
PROPERTIES AND CHARACTERISTICS
Some colored glasses are transparent, allowing light to pass through with varying
degrees of opacity, while others are translucent or opaque, diffusing or blocking light
altogether. Certain colored glasses, particularly those with darker hues or specific additives,
provide UV protection by blocking harmful ultraviolet rays from passing through. Colored
glass is versatile and can be used in a wide range of applications, including windows, doors,
partitions, lighting fixtures, tableware, jewelry, and decorative accents. Its versatility allows
for the creation of unique and customized designs tailored to specific aesthetic preferences and
functional requirements.

PHOTOSENSITIVE GLASS

Photosensitive glass is known as photo structural glass (PSG) is a type of glass that
belongs to the family of lithium-silicate glasses in which an image can be captured by
microscopic metallic particles in the glass when it is exposed to short wave radiations such as
U.V light.
USES:
Photosensitive glass is used in the printing and reproducing process. It is used in
portrait, scientific photography, and architecture. Due to its fine-grained structure, good
thermal conductivity, and clarity of image, it is used as a viewing screen for optical
instruments. It is also used for the manufacture of lighting fixtures, gratings, and automobile
lights.
PROPERTIES AND CHARACTERISTICS
Photosensitive glass undergoes a chemical reaction when exposed to ultraviolet (UV)
light. This reaction alters the molecular structure of the glass, causing it to darken or change
color in the exposed areas. It is employed in decorative and architectural applications to
enhance the aesthetic appeal of buildings, interiors, and public spaces. It can be used in
windows, doors, partitions, and decorative panels to introduce dynamic visual elements that
respond to changes in lighting conditions.