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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.
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.
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
NPTEL 210