Glass Types
The float glass process was invented by Pilkington and the first line in Australia was commissioned in 1972. CSR Building Products purchased the Viridian business in 2007 and will continue investment in this process with a rebuild of the line in 2008. Viridian continues the tradition of setting the world standard for the production of high quality glass.
Float glass Sun Block glass - Here
Is a term for perfectly flat, clear glass (basic product). The term "float" glass derives from the production method, introduced in the UK by Sir Alastair Pilkington in the late 1950's, by which 90% of today's flat glass is manufactured. Production: The raw materials (silica sand, calcium, oxide, soda and magnesium) are properly weighted and mixed and then introduced into a furnace where they are melted at 1500° C. The molten glass then flows from the glass furnace into a bath of molten tin in a continuous ribbon. 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. When it leaves the bath of molten tin the glass has cooled down sufficiently to pass to an annealing chamber called a lehr. Here it is cooled at controlled temperatures, until it is essentially at room temperature.
Safety - Laminated glass
Laminated glass is a combination of two or more glass sheets with one or more interlayers of plastic (PVB) or resin. In case of breakage, the interlayer holds the fragments together and continues to provide resistance to the passage of persons or objects. This glass is particularly suitable where it is important to ensure the resistance of the whole sheet after breakage such as: shop-fronts, balconies, stair-railings, roof glazing. Production There are two types of laminated glass: PVB and resin laminated glass: ? PVB laminated glass is two or more sheets of glass which are bonded together with one or more layers (PVB) under heat and pressure to form a single piece. ? Resins laminated glass is manufactured by pouring liquid resin into the cavity between two sheets of glass which are held together until the resin cures.
Self Cleaning Glass
SGG BIOCLEAN uses UV light and rain to actively break down dirt so your windows stay cleaner for longer. Save time and money on window cleaning! Ideal for conservatories, roofs and windows.
Self-cleaning glass is an ordinary float glass with a special photocatalytic coating. It is made by chemically bonding and integrating a microscopically-thin surface layer to the exterior surface of clear glass. The integrated coating reacts to the sun?s ultraviolet rays to gradually and continuously break down organic dirt through what is called a photocatalytic effect. In other words photocatalytic means that the active integrated coating on the outside of the glass absorbs the sun?s ultraviolet rays. This causes a reaction on the surface which breaks down dirt and loosens it from the glass. This type of glass also has hydrophilic properties, meaning that rain flows down the pane as a sheet, washing away the dirt instead of, as with normal glasses, leaving the dirt behind. As a result of these two effects, the special self-cleaning coating keeps the glass cleaner for a longer period than with normal glass in applications where it is exposed to the rain.
Sand-blasted glass
This is produced by spraying sand at high velocities over the surface of the glass. This gives the glass a translucent surface, which is usually rougher than that obtained by etching. During sandblasting, only the areas that are to remain transparent are masked for protection. The depth and degree of the translucency of the sand-blasted finishing vary with the force and type of sand used. Sand-blasted glass can be used in numerous interior design applications in both residential and commercial settings: doors, shower screens, partitions and interior screens, furniture, etc.
Acid-etched glass
It is produced by acid etching one side of float glass. Acid-etched glass has a distinctive, uniformly smooth and satin-like appearance. Acid-etched glass admits light while providing softening and vision control. It can be used in both residential and commercial settings (doors, shower screens, furniture, wall paneling, etc.).
Tempered glass
Tempered (toughened) glass is two or more times stronger than annealed glass. When broken, it shatters into many small fragments which prevent major injuries. This type of glass is intended for glass façades, sliding doors, building entrances, bath and shower enclosures and other uses requiring superior strength and safety properties. Production There are two different methods used to produce tempered glass: ? Heat treating: Where the annealed glass is subjected to a special heat-treatment in which it is heated to about 680°C and afterwards cooled. If it is cooled rapidly, the glass is up to four times stronger then annealed glass and its breaks into many small fragments (fully-tempered). If it is cooled slowly, the glass is twice as strong as annealed glass and the fragments of the broken glass are linear and more likely to remain in the frame.
? Chemical Strengthening: The glass is covered by a chemical solution which produces a higher mechanical resistance. Chemically-strengthened glass has similar properties to thermal-treated glass. The product is not generally used for window glass, but more commonly seen in industries where thin, strong glass is needed.
Decorative glass
Patterned glass is a not-perfectly-smooth structure with different patterns impressed on it. The depth, size and shape of the patterns largely determine the magnitude and direction of reflection. Patterned glass usually transmits only slightly less light than clear glass. It can be used for a variety of applications: interior design and decorations, furniture, windows, street furniture etc.
Production
Patterned glass is made with a rolled glass process. The semi-molten glass is squeezed between two metal rollers. The bottom roller is engraved with the negative of the potter. Thickness is controlled by adjustment of the gap between the rollers
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