The production of common float glass is achieved through the blending of raw materials in the form of a master batch.
- Raw Material Blending:
Raw materials, including silicon dioxide (SiO₂), soda ash (Na₂CO₃), potassium oxide (K₂O), magnesium carbonate (MnCO₃), aluminum oxide (Al₂O₃), and sometimes calcium carbonate (CaCO₃), are blended in a master batch.
Silicon dioxide is the primary ingredient, constituting over 70% of the mixture.
- Particle Size Reduction:
The raw materials, initially in sand form, undergo further pulverization until the desired particle size is achieved.
- High-Temperature Mixing:
The pulverized mixture is mixed under high-temperature conditions (approximately 1600°C) and specific pressure inside specialized furnaces.
- Viscous Mass Formation:
The resulting mixture forms a viscous mass.
- Injection into Molds:
The viscous mass is injected into molds placed over a thin layer of tin.
This step gives the glass its desired geometric characteristics, including dimensions and thickness.
- Annealing and Solidification:
The glass is annealed by slowly cooling it uniformly throughout its volume.
This process produces annealed glass, which is stable and mechanically sound.
These stages collectively lead to the production of common float glass, widely used in various applications due to its clarity and smooth surface.
- Blown Glass: The glass is shaped by blowing air into it.
- Glass Casting: Molten glass is poured into molds.
- Glass Rolling: The glass is rolled into sheets.
- Drawn Glass: The glass is pulled into thin fibers.
Most float glass panels, which are supplied and processed by various industries, originate from casting. The European standard that describes the correct production process is ELOT EN 572, including all relevant paragraphs
