Float glass - Revision history

Designing Buildings at 07:30, 11 May 2022

2022-05-11T07:30:17Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 07:30, 11 May 2022
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	Because it results in a perfectly flat surface, float glass can be used in most flat-glass applications. It is available in a wide range of sizes and thicknesses for use in mirrors, automobile applications, windows, doors, insulated glass, light fittings and so on.		Because it results in a perfectly flat surface, float glass can be used in most flat-glass applications. It is available in a wide range of sizes and thicknesses for use in mirrors, automobile applications, windows, doors, insulated glass, light fittings and so on.

−	= Related articles on Designing Buildings ~~Wiki~~ =	+	= Related articles on Designing Buildings =

−	* BREEAM Visual comfort View out.
	* Curved glass.		* Curved glass.
−	* Daylit space.
	* Domestic windows.		* Domestic windows.
	* Double glazing.		* Double glazing.
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	* Patent glazing.		* Patent glazing.
	* Plate glass.		* Plate glass.
−	* Preventing overheating.
−	* R-value.
−	* Rights to light.
	* Secondary glazing.		* Secondary glazing.
	* Security glazing.		* Security glazing.
	* Structural glass assembly.		* Structural glass assembly.
−	* Suction lifter.
	* Types and manufacture of laminated glass.		* Types and manufacture of laminated glass.
		+	* Types of glass.
	* Types of window.		* Types of window.
	* U-value.		* U-value.

Editor at 17:33, 11 August 2021

2021-08-11T17:33:33Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 17:33, 11 August 2021
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	* Overheating.		* Overheating.
	* Patent glazing.		* Patent glazing.
		+	* Plate glass.
	* Preventing overheating.		* Preventing overheating.
	* R-value.		* R-value.

Designing Buildings at 08:02, 14 February 2021

2021-02-14T08:02:38Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 08:02, 14 February 2021
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	* Window.		* Window.

−	[[Category:~~Products_/_components~~]] [[Category:DCN_Product_Knowledge]]	+	[[Category:DCN_Definition]] [[Category:DCN_Guidance]] [[Category:DCN_Product_Knowledge]] [[Category:Products_/_components]]

Designing Buildings at 11:59, 23 January 2020

2020-01-23T11:59:11Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 11:59, 23 January 2020
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	= Introduction =		= Introduction =

−	~~The term ‘float’ is applied~~ to glass that ~~results when~~ molten glass ~~has been~~ floated ~~onto~~ the surface of a heated liquid of greater density ~~than the glass e.g metal,~~ such as tin (or in the past, lead) and ~~allowing it to cool~~. The result is a smooth glass of uniform thickness ~~which~~ gives undistorted vision, high light transmission, optical clarity ~~and can be manufactured to meet clients’ performance and aesthetic requirements~~.	+	Float glass (sometimes referred to as clear float glass) is glass that that has been manufactured from molten glass floated on the surface of a heated liquid of greater density such as tin (or in the past, lead) and then cooled. The result is a smooth glass of uniform thickness that gives undistorted vision, high light transmission and optical clarity.

	Float glass is the most widely used form of glass for consumer applications. While in a semi-molten, waxy state, it can be easily shaped and formed to suit a variety of uses. Once made, it can be further processed to create other types of specialist glass, such as toughened glass, laminated glass and acoustic glass.		Float glass is the most widely used form of glass for consumer applications. While in a semi-molten, waxy state, it can be easily shaped and formed to suit a variety of uses. Once made, it can be further processed to create other types of specialist glass, such as toughened glass, laminated glass and acoustic glass.
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	= Manufacture =		= Manufacture =

−	The first commercial application of the float glass process (the ‘Pilkington process’) of forming a continuous ribbon of glass floated on a molten tin surface was devised in the mid-1950s by Sir Alastair Pilkington and Kenneth Bickerstaff at Pilkington Brothers in the UK. The glass was flattened by its self-weight and flowed through the process under the influence of gravity. It was not until 1960 that the bulk process was made a commercial success.	+	The first commercial application of the float glass process (the ‘Pilkington process’) of forming a continuous ribbon of glass floated on a molten tin surface was devised in the mid-1950s by Sir Alastair Pilkington and Kenneth Bickerstaff at Pilkington Brothers in the UK. The glass was flattened by its self-weight and flowed through the process under the influence of gravity. However, it was not until 1960 that the bulk process was made a commercial success.

−	The raw materials that go into float glass mainly include silica sand, soda ash, limestone and other ingredients. Once mixed, the materials are fed into a furnace with any recycled glass that may be included and heated to as high as 1,500°C to become a molten mass. It is then cooled before being poured into ~~the~~ tin bath.	+	The raw materials that go into float glass mainly include silica sand, soda ash, limestone and other ingredients. Once mixed, the materials are fed into a furnace with any recycled glass that may be included and heated to as high as 1,500°C to become a molten mass. It is then cooled before being poured into a tin bath.

	Smoothness on the metal side is imparted by contact with the molten tin and on the upper surface (the air side) by polishing with fire. No additional polishing is required. Poured onto the molten tin in ribbons at an initial temperature of around 1,200°C, the speed of the glass through the process can be left to gravity or by top roller gears on the glass surface propelling it forward.		Smoothness on the metal side is imparted by contact with the molten tin and on the upper surface (the air side) by polishing with fire. No additional polishing is required. Poured onto the molten tin in ribbons at an initial temperature of around 1,200°C, the speed of the glass through the process can be left to gravity or by top roller gears on the glass surface propelling it forward.

−	~~°At~~ around 1,100°C, the glass enters a lehr oven to be annealed i.e allowed to cool very gradually. This controlled cooling allows any internal stresses in the glass to dissipate. When it emerges from the oven, the glass is further cooled by jets of air after which scanners seek any imperfections which, if found, will result in the glass being discarded or recycled. Once at room temperature, the glass is trimmed and cut to suit customer requirements, after which the sheets are packed for shipping ~~by robotic arms~~.	+	At around 1,100°C, the glass enters a lehr oven to be annealed i.e allowed to cool very gradually. This controlled cooling allows any internal stresses in the glass to dissipate. When it emerges from the oven, the glass is further cooled by jets of air after which scanners seek any imperfections which, if found, will result in the glass being discarded or recycled. Once at room temperature, the glass is trimmed and cut to suit customer requirements, after which the sheets are packed for shipping.

	= Applications =		= Applications =

−	Because it results in a perfectly flat surface, float glass can be used in most flat-glass applications. It is available in a wide range of sizes and thicknesses for use in mirrors, automobile applications, windows ~~and~~ doors, insulated glass, light fittings and ~~furniture~~.	+	Because it results in a perfectly flat surface, float glass can be used in most flat-glass applications. It is available in a wide range of sizes and thicknesses for use in mirrors, automobile applications, windows, doors, insulated glass, light fittings and so on.

	= Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki =		= Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki =
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	* Window.		* Window.

−	[[Category:Products_/_components]]	+	[[Category:Products_/_components]] [[Category:DCN_Product_Knowledge]]

Designing Buildings: moved Float glass process to Float glass

2020-01-23T11:50:06Z

moved Float glass process to Float glass

← Older revision

Revision as of 11:50, 23 January 2020

Editor: Created page with "= Introduction = The term ‘float’ is applied to glass that results when molten glass has been floated onto the surface of a heated liquid of greater density than the glass e..."

2020-01-22T18:47:35Z

Created page with "= Introduction = The term ‘float’ is applied to glass that results when molten glass has been floated onto the surface of a heated liquid of greater density than the glass e..."

New page

= Introduction =

The term ‘float’ is applied to glass that results when molten glass has been floated onto the surface of a heated liquid of greater density than the glass e.g metal, such as tin (or in the past, lead) and allowing it to cool. The result is a smooth glass of uniform thickness which gives undistorted vision, high light transmission, optical clarity and can be manufactured to meet clients’ performance and aesthetic requirements.

Float glass is the most widely used form of glass for consumer applications. While in a semi-molten, waxy state, it can be easily shaped and formed to suit a variety of uses. Once made, it can be further processed to create other types of specialist glass, such as toughened glass, laminated glass and acoustic glass.

= Manufacture =

The first commercial application of the float glass process (the ‘Pilkington process’) of forming a continuous ribbon of glass floated on a molten tin surface was devised in the mid-1950s by Sir Alastair Pilkington and Kenneth Bickerstaff at Pilkington Brothers in the UK. The glass was flattened by its self-weight and flowed through the process under the influence of gravity. It was not until 1960 that the bulk process was made a commercial success.

The raw materials that go into float glass mainly include silica sand, soda ash, limestone and other ingredients. Once mixed, the materials are fed into a furnace with any recycled glass that may be included and heated to as high as 1,500°C to become a molten mass. It is then cooled before being poured into the tin bath.

Smoothness on the metal side is imparted by contact with the molten tin and on the upper surface (the air side) by polishing with fire. No additional polishing is required. Poured onto the molten tin in ribbons at an initial temperature of around 1,200°C, the speed of the glass through the process can be left to gravity or by top roller gears on the glass surface propelling it forward.

°At around 1,100°C, the glass enters a lehr oven to be annealed i.e allowed to cool very gradually. This controlled cooling allows any internal stresses in the glass to dissipate. When it emerges from the oven, the glass is further cooled by jets of air after which scanners seek any imperfections which, if found, will result in the glass being discarded or recycled. Once at room temperature, the glass is trimmed and cut to suit customer requirements, after which the sheets are packed for shipping by robotic arms.

= Applications =

Because it results in a perfectly flat surface, float glass can be used in most flat-glass applications. It is available in a wide range of sizes and thicknesses for use in mirrors, automobile applications, windows and doors, insulated glass, light fittings and furniture.

= Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki =

* BREEAM Visual comfort View out.
* Curved glass.
* Daylit space.
* Domestic windows.
* Double glazing.
* Emissivity.
* Glass.
* Low-E glass.
* Overheating.
* Patent glazing.
* Preventing overheating.
* R-value.
* Rights to light.
* Secondary glazing.
* Security glazing.
* Structural glass assembly.
* Suction lifter.
* Types and manufacture of laminated glass.
* Types of window.
* U-value.
* Window.

[[Category:Products_/_components]]