Glass Materials
Glass Materials
Valdez
ARC 12
The production of window glass in Belgium started in 1836 in a factory in the valley of the Sambre. From this small
start, the number of glass companies increased steadily, while they also became larger, more professional, and better
equipped. During the 1950s, the combined annual output of all industrial glass manufacturers in Belgium amounted to
between 80 and 100 million m² of glass, which made Belgium one of the world’s important glass manufacturing and
exporting countries. The most striking feature of the glass industry in the post-war period, however, was not quantity but
its versatility: an increasing range of products became available between 1945 and 1975, from regular window glass and
mirror glass, to decorative cast glass, safety glass, coloured glass, insulating glass, etc.
Types of Glass
Cast glass was still in use in the post-war period for particular
decorative applications. By casting molten glass paste onto a table with a
rough or textured surface, the resulting glass was imprinted with a pattern in
relief. Because of the imprint, this cast glass – called patterned glass or figured
glass – lost transparency but remained translucent and still transmitted almost
as much light as transparent glass.
Another way to get the relief printing was by pressing the glass between
two rollers onto which a pattern had been imprinted. A large variety of
patterns or figures were used, from hammered, crenated, and ribbed to
custom designs.
Glass Blocks
Glass was also made in shapes other than flat, for example in corrugated sheets and blocks. Glass blocks
were produced in various shapes (mostly square or round), sizes (e.g. square blocks from 5 by 5 cm to 30 by 30
cm), colours and types (solid or hollow). Manufacturers claimed these blocks were fire resistant and easy to
clean.
Processed glass
Three main types of processed glass can be distinguished: safety glass, double glazing, and insulation glass.
Production of safety glass began at the beginning of the 20th century when multiple sheets of glass were
combined using a celluloid foil, pvb-film or resin, to create laminated safety glass. Although this involved two
panes of glass, multi-layered and laminated glass are not double glazing – this term applies only to two (or more)
panes of glass with a layer of dry air or gas between them.
KINDS OF GLASSES
Float Glass
Float glass is made of sodium silicate and calcium silicate so, it is also called as soda lime glass. It is clear and flat so, it
causes glare. These glasses are available from 2mm to 20mm thickness ranges. They have a weight range of 6 to 36 kg/m 2.
These are used as shop fronts, public places etc.
Shatterproof Glass
Shatterproof glass is used for windows, skylights, floors etc. Some type of plastic polyvinyl
butyral is added in its making process. So, it cannot form sharp edged pieces when it
breaks.
Laminated Glass
Laminated glass is the combination of layers of normal glass. So, it has more weight than
normal glass. It has more thickness and is UV proof and soundproof. These are used for
aquariums, bridges etc.
Tinted Glass
Tinted glass is nothing but colored glass. A color producing ingredients is mixed to the normal
glass mix to produce colored glass which does not affect other properties of glass. Different
color producing ingredients are tabulated below
Toughened Glass
Toughened glass is strong glass which has low visibility. It is available in all thicknesses and when
it is broken it forms small granular chunks which are dangerous. This is also called as tempered
glass. This type of glass is used for fire resistant doors, mobile screen protectors etc.
Glass Blocks
Glass block or glass bricks are manufactured from two different halves and they are pressed
and annealed together while melting process of glass. These are used as architectural purpose
in the construction of walls, skylights etc. They provide aesthetic appearance when light is
passed through it.
Glass Wool
Glass wool is made of fibers of glass and acts as good insulating filler. It is fire resistant glass.
MATERIALS
Glass is made by melting silicate and minerals such as quartz, sand, and crushed flint (over 70% of the mixture),
together with potash or sodium oxide, to influence the melting point. The mixture is heated to temperatures between
1200° C and 1500° C and cooled down while, or after, being shaped in the desired form. Although the appearance and
forms of glass are quite diverse, most glass products contains the same raw materials, plus a small amount of additives
such as magnesium, iron oxide, carbon, lead oxide and sodium sulphate to enhance certain characteristics (e.g. the
resistance to breaking and durability, the colour, the absorption of infrared and UV radiation, the transparency, the
reflection, and the amount of air bubbles). Recycled glass can also be added, in order to save energy and raw materials.
SOURCES
http://postwarbuildingmaterials.be/material/glass-and-glazing/
https://theconstructor.org/building/types-of-glass-properties-uses-construction/14755/