Basic Components Required to Manufacture Glass The...

Basic Components Required to Manufacture Glass The majority of industrial glass is made using silica-based raw materials melted at high temperatures. Component Chemical Formula Function Silica (Sand) SiO₂ Main glass former Soda Ash Na₂CO₃ Lowers melting point Limestone CaCO₃ Adds durability Dolomite CaMg(CO₃)₂ Adds magnesium and calcium Alumina Al₂O₃ Increases strength and chemical resistance Feldspar KAlSi₃O₈ Source of potassium, improves hardness Cullet (Recycled Glass) — Reduces energy consumption and melting point 🧪 Additives for Colored Glass Color is produced by adding small amounts of metal oxides or compounds during the melt: Color Additive Chemical Used Green Iron or Chromium Fe²⁺ or Cr₂O₃ Blue Cobalt CoO Red Copper, Gold Cu₂O or Au Amber/Brown Sulfur + Iron + Carbon FeS, carbonaceous materials Purple Manganese MnO₂ Yellow Cadmium Sulfide CdS (less common now due to toxicity) Black Iron + Cobalt + Manganese Mix of oxides 🏭 Types of Glass and Their Composition 1. Soda-Lime Glass (≈90% of all glass) Used in: Bottles, windows, jars Components: SiO₂, Na₂O, CaO Features: Cheap, easy to mold, low resistance to thermal shock 2. Borosilicate Glass (e.g. Pyrex) Used in: Labware, cookware Components: SiO₂, B₂O₃, Na₂O, Al₂O₃ Features: High thermal resistance, low expansion 3. Lead Glass (Crystal Glass) Used in: Decorative ware, optical instruments Components: SiO₂, PbO, K₂O Features: High refractive index, brilliant sparkle, heavier 4. Fused Silica Glass Used in: High-purity optics, semiconductors Components: Pure SiO₂ Features: High UV transparency, extreme thermal resistance 5. Aluminosilicate Glass Used in: Smartphone screens, aerospace Components: SiO₂, Al₂O₃, Na₂O, MgO Features: Stronger, scratch-resistant, high thermal shock resistance 6. Tempered Glass Used in: Car windows, safety glass Process: Soda-lime glass heat-treated for strength Features: Breaks into blunt pieces, 4–5× stronger than regular glass 7. Laminated Glass Used in: Windshields, architecture Layers: Multiple sheets bonded with PVB or EVA layer Features: Shatterproof, holds fragments