Float Glass & Extra Clear Glass
Float Glass Manufacturing process
Float glass is a sheet of glass made by floating molten glass on a bed of molten metal, typically tin.This method gives the sheet uniform thickness and very flat surfaces.
Float glass uses common glass-making raw materials, typically consisting of sand, soda ash (sodium carbonate), dolomite, limestone, and salt cake (sodium sulphate) etc. Other materials may be used as colourants, refining agents or to adjust the physical and chemical properties of the glass.
Applications:
Today, float glass is the most widely used form of glass in consumer products due to its high quality and no requirement for additional processing. Its shows structural flexibility during production and can easily be shaped and bent into a variety of forms while in a heated, syrupy state. This makes it ideal for a variety of applications such as
• Automobile glass (e.g. windshields, windows, mirrors)
• Mirrors
• Furniture (e.g. in tables and shelves)
• Insulated glass
• Windows and doors
Most forms of specialized glass such as toughened glass, frosted glass, laminated safety glass and soundproof glass consist of standard float glass that has been further processed.
Extra Clear Glass
Extra clear glass is valued for its attractive appearance and optical qualities. The low ion content produces a higher light transmittance and reduced green tint, inherent in other glass.
Applications:
It is designed for applications where its unique appearance and optical qualities are of particular advantage:
• Interior design and decoration
• External cladding
• Shop windows and commercial frontages
• Bolted glass assemblies
Advantages:
• Excellent clarity of the glass ensures true colours are seen and optimum vision quality is achieved when looking through the glass
• Clear Glass Offers a high level of light transmittance
• It allows maximum natural light to cascade in to create pleasant interior rooms.
• Glass is particularly beneficial for thicker laminated surfaces, which require a high level of transparency
