Module: 7

Dr. N. K. Patel
Lecture: 32 Glass industries

Module: 7
Lecture: 32

GLASS (Continued)

MANUFACTURE (CONTINUED)
2. Fabrication of an article
The molten glass is fabricated to require size and shape by either by hand or
by machine. Hand fabrication is adopted for small production and machine
fabrication is adopted for large scale production.

Following are the different ways fabrication

a) Blowing
b) Casting
c) Drawing
d) Pressing
e) Rolling
f) Spinning

a) Blowing
Blow pipe of diameter is about 12mm and its length about 180cm is used for
blowing purpose. One end of the blow pipe is dipped in the molten mass of glass
and lump of about 5 kg weight is taken out. This lump of glass will then lengthen to
some extent by its own weight. The operator then blows vigorously from other end of
blow pipe. The same can also be done with the heat of an air compressor. This
blowing causes the molten mass to assume the shape of cylinder. It is then heated
for few seconds and is blown again. The blowing and heating are continued till the
cylinder of required size is formed. It is then placed on an iron plate and it is
disconnected from blow pipe. The cylinder is then cut vertically by the diamond
which is falls into a thin plate by gravity.

b) Casting
The molten glass is poured in moulds and it is allowed to cool down slowly,
large pieces of glass of simple design can be prepared by this method. It is also
adopted to prepared mirrors and lenses.

NPTEL 207
 Module: 7
Dr. N. K. Patel
Lecture: 32 Glass industries

c) Drawing
Simply pulling the molten glass either by hand or mechanical equipment is
carried out. In the process, an iron bar is dipped sideways in the molten mass of
glass. Then it is lifted up horizontally and in doing so, it catches up a sheet of molten
glass. The sheet is then allowed pass over a large rotating roller. The roller helps the
molten glass to spread in the sheet.

d) Pressing
In this process, the molten glass is pressed into moulds. The pressure may be
applied by hand or by mechanical means. This process is adopted for ornament
article and hollow glass articles.

e) Rolling
There are two methods of rolling.

In one method, the molten mass of glass is passes between heavy iron rollers
and flat glass plate of uniform thickness is obtained.

In another method the molten mass of glass is poured on a flat iron casting
table and it is then turned flat with the help of a heavy iron roller.

f) Spinning
The molten glass is spun at high speed to a very fine size. This glass has tensile
strength equal to that of mild steel. It does not fade, decay or shrink. It is not
attached by acids, fire and vermin. It is very soft and flexible. It is used for providing
insulation against electricity and sound.

3. Annealing
Glass articles, after being manufactured, are to be cooled down slowly and
gradually. This process of slow and homogeneous cooling of glass articles is known
as annealing of glass.

Annealing of glass is a very important process. If glass articles are allowed to

cool down rapidly, the superficial layer of glass cools down first, as glass is a bad
conductor of heat. The inter portion remains comparatively hot and it is, therefore in
a state of strain. Hence such glass article breaks to pieces under very slight shocks or
disturbances

Following are the methods of annealing

a) Flue Treatment
b) Oven treatment

NPTEL 208
 Module: 7
Dr. N. K. Patel
Lecture: 32 Glass industries

a) Flue treatment
This method is useful for large scale production. In the process long flue is used
which is constructed in such a way that there is gradual decrease in temperature
from one end of it to the other. The red-hot articles of glass are allowed to enter at
the hot end of flue and they are slowly moved on travelling bands. They become
cool when they reach the cool end of flue.

b) Oven treatment
This method is useful for small scale production. The red-hot glass articles are
placed in ovens, in which arrangement is made to control the temperature. After
articles are placed in ovens, the temperature is slowly brought down.

4. Finishing treatments
a) Bending
b) Cutting
c) Opaque making
d) Silvering

a) Bending
Glass may be bent into desired shape by placing it in ovens in which
temperature can be regulated. Glass in the form of rods, sheets or tubes is placed in
such ovens and heated. It is then bent when it is suitable heated.

b) Cutting
Glass is cut in required sizes with the help of diamond or rough glasses or small
wheels of hardened steel

c) Opaque making
Glass can also be made opaque or impervious to light. It is done by grinding
the glass surface with emery. It can also be achieved chemically by the application
of hydrofluoric acid.

d) Silvering
This process consists in applying a very thin coat of tin on the surface of glass.
Silver is deposited on this layer of tin. A suitable paint is then applied to give
protection, against atmospheric effects.

PROPERTIES
Glass has excellent properties amongst various material of construction. To
summarize the good properties of glass can be considered with respect to hardness,
transparency, refractive index, dispersion of light, low expansion of coefficient,
insulation, thermal conductivity, chemical inertness etc.

NPTEL 209
 Module: 7
Dr. N. K. Patel
Lecture: 32 Glass industries

The properties of glass are mainly governed by factors such as composition of

the constituent state of surface, thermal treatment conditions, dimensions of
specimens etc.

Absorbs, refracts or transmits light

Can take up a high polish and may be used as substitute for very costly germ
Has no definite crystalline structure
Has no sharp melting point
Affected by alkalis
Excellent electrical insulator at elevated temperatures due to the fact the
glass can be considered as an ionic liquid.
Available in beautiful colours.
Behaves as more solid than most solids in the sense that it is elastic. But when
that elastic limit is exceeded, it fractures instead of deforming.
It can be blown, drawn or pressed. But it is difficult to cast in large pieces.
Extremely brittle.
Usually not affected by air or water.
It is not easily attacked by ordinary chemical reagents.
Possible to intentionally alter some of its properties such as fusibility, hardness
refractive power etc.
The glasses may be cleaned colourless, diffused and stained.
It is possible to weld pieces of glass by fusion.
It is transparent and translucent. The transparency is the most used
characteristic of glass and it is due to the absence of free electrons. For the
same reason. It is works as a good insulator.
When heated, it becomes soft and transformed into a mobile liquid, which on
cooling formed into articles of desired shape.
It is possible to manufacture glass lighter than cork or softer than cotton or
stronger than steel. The strength glass however is considerably affected by
foreign inclusions, internal defect are cords or chemically heterogeneous
areas.
Not easily affected by air/oxidizing agent
Highly stable against acid but affected easily by alkalis.
When fused with excess of fusion mixture, glass decomposes into silicates and
carbonates of metal.

NPTEL 210