Float Glass
Float glass is a type of glass that is produced through a process known as the "float glass process." This process was developed in the 1950s and revolutionized the glass industry by allowing for the mass production of high-quality, flat glass.
Manufacturing Process
The float glass process begins with the melting of raw materials, including silica sand, soda ash, and limestone, in a furnace. The melted mixture is then poured onto a bed of molten tin, where it spreads out and begins to cool.
As the glass cools, it becomes more viscous and begins to solidify. However, thanks to the properties of the tin, the glass remains in a perfectly flat and uniform state. The glass is then carefully cooled and annealed to remove any internal stress and improve its strength.
Once the float glass has cooled and been annealed, it is ready to be cut and processed into a variety of different products.
Uses for Float Glass
These days float glass only has limited applications for construction in its raw form due to AS1288 regulations, which require the use of safety glass such as laminated glass or toughened glass in certain applications.
Despite its limited use in its raw form, float glass remains an important and widely used material in a variety of industries -
Tabletops
Windows
Shelving
Display cases
Mirrors
Solar panels
Whiteboards
Picture frames
Furniture