INTRODUCTION TO GLASS :

IT IS A MIXTURE OF NUMBER OF METTALIC SILICATE, ONE OF WHICH IS USUALLY THAT OF AN ALKALI METAL. MOST IMPORTANT FACT ABOUT GLASS IS IT IS AMORPHOUS, TRANSPARENT OR TRANSLUCENT.

It is most typically used as transparent glazing material in the building envelope, including windows in the external walls. Glass is also used for internal partitions and as an architectural feature. When used in buildings, glass is often of a safety type, which include reinforced, toughened and laminated glasses.

CHARACTERSTICS OF GLASS :
IT ABSORBS, REFLECTS OR TRANSMITS LIGHT.
IT HAS NO SHARP MELTING POINT. IT IS AN EXCELLENT ELECTRICAL INSULATOR AT HIGH TEMPERATURES DUE TO THE FACT THAT GLASS CAN BE CONSIDERED AS AN IONIC LIQUID. IT IS EXTREMELY BRITTLE. IT IS NOT USUALLY AFFECTED BY AIR OR WATER. IT IS NOT EASILY ATTACKED BY ORDINARY CHEMICAL REAGENTS. IT IS POSSIBLE TO OBTAIN GLASSES WITH DIVERSIFIED PROPERTIES AS THE GLASSES MAY BE CLEAR, COLOURLESS, DIFFUSED AND STAINED. IT IS POSSIBLE TO WELD PIECES OF GLASS BY FUSION. IT IS TRANSPARENT WHICH IS THE MOST USED CHARACTERISTIC OF GLASS. WHEN IT IS HEATED, IT BECOMES SOFT AND ULTIMATELY TRANSFORMS INTO A MOBILE LIQUID AND THIS PROPERTY OF

CLASSIFICATION OF GLASS:
BASED ON THE MATERIAL USED DURING THE MANUFACTURE OF GLASS, THE GLASS CAN MAINLY BE CLASSIFIED INTO FOUR CATEGORIES: SODA-LIME GLASS POTASH-LIME GLASS POTASH-LEAD GLASS COMMON GLASS THE COMPOSITION OF THE GLASS OF ABOVE TYPE IS AS FOLLOWS:
TYPE COMPOSITION
CaO CaO PbO SODA-LIME GLASS POTASH-LIME GLASS POTASH LEAD GLASS Na2O K2O K2O 6SiO2 6SiO2 6SiO2

SODA-LIME GLASS: IT IS COMMONLY KNOWN AS SODA GLASS OR SOFT GLASS.

PROPERTIES:
IT IS AVAILABLE IN CLEAN AND CLEAR STATE. IT IS CHEAP. IT IS EASILY FUSIBLE AT COMPARATIVELY LOW TEMPERATURES. IT IS POSSIBLE TO WELD ARTICLES MADE FROM THIS GLASS WITH THE HELP OF SIMPLE SOURCES OF HEAT.

USES: IT IS USED IN THE MANUFACTURE OF GLASS TUBES AND OTHER LABORATORY APPARATUS, PLATE GLASS, WINDOW GLASS, ETC.

POTASH-LEAD GLASS: THIS IS ALSO KNOWN AS THE FLINT GLASS. IT IS MAINLY A MIXTURE OF POTASSIUM SILICATE AND LEAD SILICATE. PROPERTIES: IT FUSES VERY EASILY. IT IS EASILY ATTACKED BY AQUEOUS SOLUTIONS. IT POSSESSES BRIGHT LUSTRE AND GREAT REFLECTIVE POWER. USES: IT IS USED IN THE MANUFACTURE OF ARTIFICIAL GEMS, ELECTRIC BULBS, LENSES, PRISMS, ETC

COMMON GLASS: THIS IS ALSO KNOWN AS THE BOTTLE GLASS. IT IS PREPARED FROM CHEAP RAW MATERIALS. IT IS MAINLY A MIXTURE OF SODIUM SILICATE, CALCIUM SILICATE AND IRON SILICATE. PROPERTIES:

IT FUSES WITH DIFFICULTY. IT IS BROWN, GREEN OR YELLOW IN COLOUR. IT IS EASILY ATTACKED BY ACIDS.
USES: IT IS MAINLY USED IN THE MANUFACTURE OF MEDICINE BOTTLES. MANUFACTURE OF GLASS:

COLOURED GLASS:
NO COLOUR
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 BLUE DARK BLUE OR DARK BROWN OR DARK VOILET GREEN RED VOILET WHITE OPAQUE YELLOW OR BROWN

SUBSTANCE
COBALT OXIDE, CUPRIC OXIDE (CuO ) COBALT, MANGNESE AND IRON OXIDES FERRIC OXIDE ( Fe3O4 ), CHROMIUM OXIDE ( Cr2O3) CUPROUS OXIDE ( Cu2O ), METALLIC GOLD MANGANESE DIOXIDE ( MnO2) TIN OXIDE, CALCIUM PHOSPHORATE [Ca3( PO4 )2] ANTIMONY TRISULPHATE ( Sb2S3 ), CHARCOAL, SILVER BORATE, ETC.

Manufacture of glass:

Collection of raw material Preparation of batch

Melting in furnace
Fabrication Annealing

Collection of raw material:

The material of glass defers according to the requirement and the use of glass. Broadly the materials according to the type can be listed as:

No .
1

Type Of Glass
Soda-Lime glass

Raw material

Chalk, Soda ash and clean sand

2 3

Potash Lime Glass Potash Lead Glass

Chalk, Potassium carbonate, and clean sand Litharge ( Lead Mono Oxide PbO ), lead sesquioxide ( Pb3O4 ), Potassium Carbonate and Pure sand
Chalk, Salt Cake ( Na2SO4 ), Coke, Ordinary Sand, Etc.

Common Glass

In addition to the raw materials, the cullet and decolorize are also added for each type of glass. The cullet indicates waste glass or pieces of broken glass. They increase the fusibility of glass and prevent loss of alkali by valorization during the reaction in forming new glass. They also reduce the cost. The raw materials generally contain traces of the iron compounds. The ferrous oxide imparts a green color to glass and ferric oxide imparts a very light yellow tint. To avoid such effects, the decolorizes are added. The usual substances used as decolorizes are antimony oxide (Sb2O3), arsenic oxide (As2O3), cobalt oxide (CaO), manganese dioxide (MnO2) and nickel oxide (Nio).

Fabrication:
The molten glass is given suitable shape or form in this stage. It can either be done by hand or by machine, the hand fabrication is adopted for small scale production and machine fabrication is adopted for large scale production. Various methods of fabrication are: Blowing Rolling Spinning Pressing Casting Drawing

Blowing:
In this process the molten glass is blowed from one end with the help of a pipe in order to form and cylinder. Then the cylinder shape when obtained of desired length, is allowed to cool down and while cooling it is cut from diameter in order to form a plain sheet.

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

Pressing: In this process, the molten glass is pressed into moulds The pressure may either be applied by hand or by mechanical means This process is adopted for ornamental articles, hollow glass articles. etc.
Annealing: The glass articles are then allowed to cool down slowly and gradually. This process of slow and homogeneous cooling of glass articles is known as the annealing of glass.

Following are the two methods of annealing:

Flue treatment Oven treatment.

Treatment of Glass:
Bending: The glass may be bent into desired shape by placing it in ovens in which the temperature can be regulated. The glass in the form of rods, sheets or tubes is placed in such ovens and heated. It is then bent when it is suitably heated.
Cutting: The glass is cut in required sizes with the help diamond or rough glasses or small wheels of hardened steel.

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

BULLET-PROOF GLASS:
THIS GLASS IS MADE OF SEVERAL LAYERS OF GLASS AND ALTERNATE LAYERS CONSIST OF VINYL-RESIN PLASTIC. THE OUTER LAYERS OF PLATE GLASS ARE MADE THINNER THAN THE INNER LAYERS. THE SPECIAL CARE IS TO BE TAKEN FOR HEATING AND COOLING OF LAYERS DURING MANUFACTURE. THE THICKNESS OF THIS TYPE OF GLASS MAY VARY FROM 15 MM TO 75 MM OR MORE. IT WILL NOT ALLOW BULLET TO PIERCE THROUGH IT MORE OVER IT DOES NOT SCATTERS.

FIBRE GLASS:
THE FIBRE GLASS IS COMPOSED OF MINUTE GLASS RODS AND EACH GLASS ROD RESEMBLES THE PARENT MATERIAL IN ALL RESPECTS. IT IS PROOF AGAINST FIRE, VERMIN'S, WATER AND ACIDS. IT CAN BE PREPARED EITHER IN THE FORM OF CONTINUOUS STRANDS JUST LIKE SILK OR IN THE STAPLE FORM JUST LIKE WOOL. THIS IS A SPECIAL TYPE OF GLASS AND IT IS USED FOR THERMAL INSULATIONS, SHEETS, FIBRE GLASS REINFORCED PLASTICS, ETC.

FLOAT GLASS:
THE MOLTEN GLASS COMING OUT OF THE FURNACE IS ALLOWED TO FLOAT ON THE MOLTEN TIN. THE GLASS THUS FORMED IS KNOWN AS THE FLOAT GLASS IT IS THEN FURTHER ANNEALED TO REMOVE ALL THE STRESSES. IT IS WIDELY USED FOR RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS, COMMERCIAL COMPLEXES, FURNITURE ARTICLES, ETC. IT IS SUPERIOR TO ORDINARY SHEET GLASS

ADVANTAGES:
IT IS AESTHETIC IN APPEARANCE AND ITS USE HAS OPENED UNLIMITED POSSIBILITIES OF INNOVATION IN ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN. IT IS AVAILABLE IN LARGER SIZES AND VARIOUS THICKNESSES. IT IS IDEALLY SUITABLE FOR SOLAR APPLICATIONS DUE TO HIGH LIGHT TRANSMISSION AND IT RESULTS IN HIGHER EFFICIENCY. IT IS TOUGHER AND MORE SCRATCH-RESISTANT. IT MAKES THE WINDOWS TO TRANSMIT MORE NATURAL LIGHT AND THE MIRRORS TO GIVE TRUE IMAGES. IT POSSESSES HIGH OPTICAL CLARITY AND SUPERIOR SAFETY PROPERTIES. THERE IS NO REFRACTION DEFECT DUE TO UNIFORM THICKNESS AND SUPERIOR OPTICAL CLARITY AND THUS THERE IS LESS EYE STRAIN.

FOAM GLASS:
THE FOAM GLASS IS PREPARED IN THE FORM OF RECTANGULAR BLOCKS. THE FINELY GROUND GLASS AND CARBON ARE THOROUGHLY MIXED AND THE MIXTURE IS THEN MELTED IN A FURNACE. AT THE TIME OF MELTING, THE MIXTURE EXPANDS AND CHANGES THE FORM TO THE BLACK FOAM. THE RESULTING GLASS MATERIAL FLOATS IN WATER AND IT CAN BE CUT LIKE WOOD AS IT CONTAINS MILLIONS OF INERT AIR CELLS. IT IS FIRE-PROOF, RIGID AND AN EXCELLENT HEAT INSULATOR. IT CAN BE USED AS A SUBSTITUTE FOR CORK FOR USE IN AIRCONDITIONING AND REFRIGERATION INDUSTRIES.

GLASS BLOCKS:
THESE ARE PARTIALLY EVACUATED AND COMPLETELY SEALED HOLLOW UNITS WHICH ARE FORMED BY FUSING TOGETHER TWOHALVES OF PRESSED GLASS. THE EDGES ARE COATED WITH A GRIT BEARING PLASTIC MATERIAL SO THAT PERMANENT AND EFFECTIVE BOND WITH THE MORTAR IS ENSURED. THE GLASS BLOCK ARE AVAILABLE IN SQUARE SIZES WITH DIMENSIONS OF 150 MM, 200 MM AND 300 MM WITH THE APPROXIMATE THICKNESS OF 100 MM. ONE OR BOTH THE FACES OF THE BLOCKS ARE SUITABLY TREATED TO DIFFUSE LIGHT. THESE BLOCKS POSSESS HIGH INSULATING VALUE AND THEY ARE SET IN CEMENT MORTAR.

ADVANTAGES:
THEY ARE EASY TO CLEAN AND HENCE THEY CAN BE WELL MAINTAINED. THEY ARE EXCELLENT IN LIGHT TRANSMISSION. THEY PROVIDE VERY GOOD INSULATION AGAINST COLD, HEAT AND NOISE. THE GLASS BLOCKS ARE NOT INTENDED TO CARRY SUPERIMPOSED LOADS. BUT THEY POSSESS ADEQUATE STRENGTH TO CARRY THEIR OWN WEIGHT UP TO A MAXIMUM HEIGHT OF 6 M.

HEAT-EXCLUDING GLASS:
THIS GLASS ALLOWS LIGHT TO PASS THROUGH IT, BUT IT ELIMINATES HEAT. IT IS USED FOR WINDOWS OF COACHES OF HIGHER CLASS IN RAILWAYS, IN WINDOW PANELS OF IMPORTANT BUILDINGS, ETC.

PERFORATED GLASS:
IN THIS TYPE OF GLASS, THE PERFORATIONS ARE MADE IN SHEET GLASS WITH THE HELP OF ROLLERS. THE PERFORATIONS MAY BE MADE DURING THE MANUFACTURE OR AFTER THE MANUFACTURE. IT IS USED FOR PANELS IN VENTILATORS.

OBSCURED GLASS:
THIS GLASS IS USED AT PLACES WHERE LIGHT IS TO BE TRANSMITTED BUT VISION IS TO BE OBSCURED. IT HAS ONE SURFACE MADE OPAQUE BY MELTING POWDERED GLASS UPON THE SURFACE. IT CAN ALSO BE PREPARED BY THE ABRAIDING OR RUBBING ACTION OF THE SAND BLAST. THUS THIS TYPE OF GLASS WILL BE USEFUL FOR PUBLIC TOILETS, OFFICE DOORS, PARTITIONS, ETC.

SAFETY GLASS:
THIS GLASS IS FORMED BY PLACING CELLULOID BETWEEN 4O SHEETS OF THE PLATE GLASS AND THEN APPLYING GLUE TO MAKE A SINGLE OF IT. IF GLASS BREAKS, IT DOES NOT SCATTERS. IT IS ALSO KNOWN AS THE SHATTER-PROOF GLASS.

SHIELDING GLASS:
THIS IS A SPECIAL VARIETY OF GLASS AND IT CONTAINS HEAVY ELEMENTS LIKE LEAD OXIDE (PbO), ETC. IT IS USED FOR WINDOWS THROUGH WHICH HIGH RADIATION IS OBSERVED. DEPENDING UPON THE TYPE OF RADIATION, THE QUALITY OF SHIELDING GLASS IS DETERMINED.

WIRED GLASS:
IN THIS TYPE OF GLASS, THE STEEL WIRE MESH IS PLACED IN GLASS DURING ROLLING OPERATION THE MESH MAY HAVE HEXAGONAL OR SQUARE UNITS IF THIS GLASS BREAKS, THE PIECES OF GLASS ARE HELD IN POSITION BY THE MESH. THIS GLASS IS ALSO FIRE RESISTANT. THE WIRED GLASS IS USED FOR ROOFS, SKY LIGHTS, FIRE RESISTANT DOORS AND WINDOWS.

STRUCTURAL GLASS:
THESE ARE IN THE FORM OF GLASS CRETES WHICH ARE SET IN CEMENT CONCRETE AND REINFORCERD WITH STEEL FRAMES. THESE BRICKS CAN BE USED AS LIGHT STRUCTURAL MEMBER ALSO. THEY ARE WIDELY USED FOR PAVEMENT LIGHTS, PARTITIONS, LANTERN LIGHTS ETC.

NEARLY ALL COMMON TYPES OF GLASS USED WITHIN INDIA ARE PRODUCED IN INDIA ITSELF. DUE TO THE ADVANCEMENT IN TECHNOLOGY AND THE INSTITUTES, THERE IS A SOUND CO-ORDINATION BETWEEN RESEARCH AND THE GLASS INDUSTRY OF INDIA. THE USE OF GLASS STARTED EVERYWHERE, IN EVERY PROJECT AND IN EVERY FIELD.

GLASS INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENT IN INDIA:

WITH THE PROCESS OF INDUSTRIALISATION THE GLASS INDUSTRY STARTED FLOURISHING IN INDIA AFTER THE INDEPENDENCE. THE CENTRAL GLASS AND CERAMIC RESEARCH INSTITUTE WAS SET UP BY THE GOVERNMENT TO IMPART KNOWLEDGE REGARDING THE VARIOUS VARITIES OF GLASS. THE PLANTS FOR MANUFACTURE OF VARIOUS TYPES OF GLASS WAS SET UP IN DIFFERENT AREAS TO BOAST THE GLASS INDUSTRY. THE USE OF GLASS BECAME MORE AND MORE GIVING HIGH PROFIT TO THE INDIAN GOVERNMENT.

PACKING:
THE GLASS ARE FIRST COVERED WITH THE SHOCK ABSORBING MATERIALS LIKE FOAM ETC AND THEN IT IS KEPT INSIDE THE WOODEN FRAME. THIS IS TO AVOID THE BREAKAGE AND THE CRACKS DURING TRANSPORTATION. THE GLASS TO BE TRANSPORTED IS INSURED BEFORE DEPARTURING AS INSTEAD OF ALL MEASURES SOME BREAKAGE STILL TAKES PLACE.

CUTTING:
FOR CUTTING, THE TOOL USED IS CALLED DIAMOND CUTTER. THIS DIAMOND CUTTER HAS A DIAMOND LINING ON A METAL HANDLE. THIS TOOL IS USED FIRSTLY TO MAKE THE LINE ALONG WHICH THE GLASS IS TO BE CUT THEN IT IS THEN HIT FROM THE BOTTOM GENTLY OR IF IT IS THIN THEN ONLY HANDS ARE ENOUGH TO BREAK THE GLASS IN TWO PIECES.

THE MAXIMUM THICKNESS OF GLASS READILY AVAILABLE IN MARKET IS 12 MM BUT FURTHER IT COULD BE MADE MORE THICK ON ORDER. THE MINIMUM THICKNESS AVAILABLE IS 3 MM. IN MARKET THE GLASS CAN BE HAD IN THE THICKNESS OF 3, 4, 5, 6, 6.5, 8, 10, 12 MM. THE GLASS COMES IN SHEETS OF SIZE 4 FT X 8 FT, 6 FT X 8 FT, 7 FT X 10 FT.

Painted glass:
In order to make the glass
attractive by using colors, glass is painted by a special process. In this the first thing is that the pattern is printed in a block and then a white sticker is pasted on it. With the help of knife or any cutting tool. The desired pattern is obtained by taking out the cut out pieces. Then the desired color is then applied.

TYPES OF GLASS
Annealed glass Toughened glass Laminated glass Coated glass Mirrored glass Patterned glass Extra clear glass

Annealed glass Annealed glass is the basic flat glass product that is the first result of the float process. It is common glass that tends to break into large, jagged shards. It is used in some end products and often in double-glazed windows. It is also the starting material used to produce more advanced products through further processing such as laminating, toughening, coating, etc. Toughened glass Toughened glass is treated to be far more resistant to breakage than simple annealed glass and to break in a more predictable way when it does break, thus providing a major safety advantage in almost all of its applications.

Toughened glass is made from annealed glass treated with a thermal tempering process. A sheet of annealed glass is heated to above its "annealing point" of 600C; its surfaces are then rapidly cooled while the inner portion of the glass remains hotter. The different cooling rates between the surface and the inside of the glass produces different physical properties, resulting in compressive stresses in the surface balanced by tensile stresses in the body of the glass.

These counteracting stresses give toughened glass its increased mechanical resistance to breakage, and are also, when it does break, what cause it to produce regular, small, typically square fragments rather than long, dangerous shards that are far more likely to lead to injuries. Toughened glass also has an increased resistance to breakage as a result of stresses caused by different temperatures within a pane. Toughened glass has extremely broad applications in products for both buildings and, automobiles and transport, as well as in other areas. Car windshields and windows, glass portions of building facades, glass sliding doors and partitions in houses and offices, glass furniture such as table tops, and many other products typically use toughened glass. Products made from toughened glass often also incorporate other technologies, especially in the building and automotive and transport sectors.

Laminated glass Laminated glass is made of two or more layers of glass with one or more "interlayers" of polymeric material bonded between the glass layers. Laminated glass is produced using one of two methods: Poly Vinyl Butyral (PVB) laminated glass is produced using heat and pressure to sandwich a thin layer of PVB between layers of glass. On occasion, other polymers such as Ethyl Vinyl Acetate (EVA) or Polyurethane (PU) are used. This is the most common method. For special applications, Cast in Place (CIP) laminated glass is made by pouring a resin into the space between two sheets of glass that are held parallel and very close to each other.

Laminated glass offers many advantages. Safety and security are the best known of these, so rather than shattering on impact, laminated glass is held together by the interlayer. This reduces the safety hazard associated with shattered glass fragments, as well as, to some degree, the security risks associated with easy penetration. But the interlayer also provides a way to apply several other technologies and benefits, such as colouring, sound dampening, resistance to fire, ultraviolet filtering and other technologies that can be embedded in or with the interlayer.

Laminated glass is used extensively in building and housing products and in the automotive and transport industries. Most building facades and most car windscreens, for example, are made with laminated glass, usually with other technologies also incorporated. Coated Surface coatings can be applied to glass to modify its appearance and give it many of the advanced characteristics and functions available in today's flat glass products, such as low maintenance, special reflection/transmission/absorption properties, scratch resistance, corrosion resistance, etc. Coatings are usually applied by controlled exposure of the glass surface to vapours, which bind to the glass forming a permanent coating. The coating process can be applied while the glass is still in the float line with the glass still warm, producing what is known as "hard-coated" glass. Alternatively, in the "off-line" or "vacuum" coating process, the vapour is applied to the cold glass surface in a vacuum vessel.

Mirrored glass To produce mirrored glass, a metal coating is applied to one side of the glass. The coating is generally made of silver, aluminium, gold or chrome. For simple mirrored glass, a fully reflective metal coating is applied and then sealed with a protective layer. To produce "one-way" mirrors, a much thinner metal coating is used, with no additional sealing or otherwise opaque layer. Mirrored glass is gaining a more prominent place in architecture, for important functional reasons as well as for the aesthetic effect.

Patterned Patterned glass is flat glass whose surfaces display a regular pattern. The most common method for producing patterned glass is to pass heated glass (usually just after it exits the furnace where it is made) between rollers whose surfaces contain the negative relief of the desired pattern(s). Patterned glass is mostly used in internal decoration and internal architecture. Today, it is typically used for functional reasons, where light but not transparency is desired, and the patterns are accordingly subtle. However, it has also at times been fashionable as a design feature in itself, in such cases often displaying more prominent patterns.

Extra clear glass Extra clear glass is not the result of processing of annealed glass, but instead a specific type of melted glass. Extra clear glass differs from other types of glass by its basic raw material composition. In particular, this glass is made with a very low iron-content in order to minimise its sun reflection properties. It therefore lets as much light as possible through the glass. It is most particularly of use for solar-energy applications where it is important that the glass cover lets light through to reach the thermal tubes or photovoltaic cells. Antireflective properties can be further increased by applying a special coating on the low-iron glass. It can also be used in windows or facades as it offers excellent clarity, which allows occupants to appreciate true colours and to enjoy unimpaired views.

There are nine types of glass according to the minor additions and variations in the ingredients used and according to the methods of manufacturing. The different types of glasses are different in their properties and uses. 1. Soda glass or soda-lime glass: It is the most common variety of glass. It is prepared by heating sodium carbonate and silica. It is used for making windowpanes, tableware, bottles and bulbs. 2. Coloured glass: Small amounts of metallic oxides are mixed with the hot molten mixture of sand, sodium carbonate and limestone. The desired colour determines the choice of the metallic oxide to be added, as different metallic oxides give different colours to the glass. Coloured glass is much in demand. It is used for

3. Plate glass: Plate glass is thicker than ordinary glass. It has a very smooth surface. It is made by floating a layer of molten glass over a layer of molten tin. It is used in shop windows and doors. 4. Safety glass: It can also be called shatterproof glass. It is made by placing a sheet of plastic such as celluloid between sheets of glass. The special quality of this glass is that in case of breakage the broken pieces stick to the plastic and do not fly off. You must have noticed a broken windowpane of a bus or a car still in its place. It is used in automobiles. It is also used for making bulletproof screens.

5. Laminated glass: It can also be called bulletproof glass. Several layers of safety glass are bound together with a transparent adhesive. The larger the number of layers used the greater is the strength of the glass. It is stronger than safety glass. It is used in aeroplanes and windshields of cars. 6. Optical glass: Optical glass is softer than any other glass. It is clear and transparent. Potassium and lead silicates are used in making optical glass. It is also called flint glass. The main use of flint glass is in the manufacture of lenses, prisms and other optical instruments.

7. Pyrex glass: Pyrex glass is highly heat resistant. In ordinary glass, silica is the main constituent. In pyrex glass some of the silica is replaced by boron oxide. Boron oxide expands very little when heated, thus, pyrex glass does not crack on strong heating. Pyrex glass is also called borosilicate glass. It has a high melting point and is resistant to many chemicals. Laboratory equipment and ovenware are made of pyrex glass. 8. Photo-chromatic glass: Photochromatic glass acquires a darker shade when exposed to bright light and returns to its original lighter shade in dim light. This happens because silver iodinde is added to this glass. (silver iodide gets coloured with the intensity of light.)

9. Lead crystal glass: Lead crystal glass has high refractive index, and so has the maximum brilliance. It sparkles and is used for high quality art objects and for expensive glassware. It is also called cut glass because the surface of the glass objects is often cut into decorative patterns to reflect light. In order to increase the refractive index, lead oxide is used as flux in crystal glass, therefore it is also called lead crystal glass. The major disadvantage of ordinary glass is that it is brittle. It cracks when subjected to sudden changes of temperature. When the glass has been moulded into a finished article, it is cooled very slowly to prevent brittleness. The process in which a finished glass article is cooled slowly is called annealing.

MARKET STUDY
Glass Manufacturing Brands: 1.Modiguard: This brand of glass manufactures float glass, mirrors, and clear float glass. Thickness of glass: 2mm to 12mmse. Use: Architectural purposes, in buildings, malls, high-rises, etc. Modiguard Ultra Mirror thickness: 2mm to 8 mm. Use: extensively in hotels, malls, etc.

Saint Gobain Glass: It is known for its wide range of glass like reflective glass, heat control, thermal insulation, solar control high performance glass. AIS Brand: (acousticglas) The sound resistant glass depending upon sizes. The price for AIS Acoustic glass ranges from Rs.300+ taxes per sq. ft.

Manufacturing of glass in Gujarat: 1. Vapi 2. Jagadiya (Baroda) 3. Ankaleshwar Fixing : 1. In aluminum frames 2. In wooden frames 3. Or frameless with its fittings

Processing: 1. Computerized Designing 2. Decorative Mirror 3. Stain Glass 4. Etching Glass 5. Frosting Glass 6. Air Brushing 7. Glass pesting 8. Deep Etching 9. V-Grue 10. Fusion Work 11. Crystal work 12. NR etching 13. Color etching 14. Bend Glass 15. Blass Bricks (blocks)

Clear Glass available sizes: as desired color: transparent thickness: 2, 3, 3.5, 4, 5, 6, 8,12, 15, 19, 24, 25 mm uses: in windows, flooring, partitions, staircases.

Figured Glass: Properties: made out of waste glass Size available: 7 by 4 sq. ft. 6 by 4 sq. ft. Colours: black, blue, white, brown Thickness: 3.5, 4 mm Uses: in windows

Wired Glass: Properties: steel wires are used inside so that if glass breaks, the pieces are not scattered. Sizes: 7 by 4 sq. ft. 6 by 4 sq. ft. Color: transparent Thickness: 6mm Uses: windows and partitions.

Reflective Glass: Properties: on one side of the glass, mirror is used and on the other side any color is used. Sizes: as desired Colors: green brown, black, blue, light gold Thickness: 4, 5mm Uses: windows, partitions in high rises.

Mirror Glass: Properties: silver nitrate is coated at the back of the glass Sizes: 6 by 4 sq. ft. 8 by 4 sq. ft. Thickness: 2, 2.5, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8 mm Uses: windows, salon, boutiques, partitions.

Opaque Glass: Properties: it seems milky Sizes: 6 by 8 sq. ft. Colours: white, green, black, blue, yellow, red, off white Thickness: 4mm Uses: in furniture, and partitions.

Bullet proof glass: Properties: it will stop fired bullet and will still not break down. Sizes: as desired Colors: transparent Thickness: upto 65mm Uses: in vehicles, aeroplanes, windows, doors, etc.