Difference Between Flat Glass And Float Glass. In this article, you will come to know about what is flat glass, what is float glass, what is the main difference between flat glass and float glass, and much more.
Both the terms flat glass and float glass are the types of glasses that are used in construction and for different purposes. Glass is a transparent substance that can be transparent, translucent, or brittle. The process that is used to manufacture the glass is known as the ‘fusion process’. In this process, the sand is fused with soda, lime, and various admixtures. Then this mixture is cooled rapidly, thus forming a glass.
The difference in the glasses lied in their making process. Here, we will first discuss the main difference between flat glass and float glass, then differentiate between them in detail.
What Is The Main Difference Between Flat Glass And Float Glass?
The main difference between flat glass and float glass is that the:
-Flat Glass is made in furnaces from sand and organic material. The molten glass is then spread on a metal plane sheet, which makes the flat glass.
-Float Glass is made by the floating technique. It is manufactured by mixing sand and organic material, then moving it to the float bath. The materials are slowly cooled down and a smooth glass is formed.
What Is Flat Glass?
Flat Glass is made in furnaces from sand and organic material. The molten glass is then spread on a metal plane sheet, which makes the flat glass. it can be made according to desired thickness and then cooled the mixture into the final product. This glass is flat like a sheet of paper. It is also known as ‘sheet glass’ and ‘plate glass’.
The flat glass is used in solar panels, doors, windows, automotive glass, and mirrors. It can be easily cut, finished, treated, temper, coat, or infused with texture or colour.
What Is Float Glass?
Float Glass is made by the floating technique. It is manufactured by mixing sand and organic material, then moving it to the float bath. The materials are slowly cooled down and a smooth glass is formed. The next step is polishing through conveyor belts. The surface of float glass is uniform, thick, and smooth.
The float glass is generally made of sodium silicate and calcium silicate. It is also called soda-lime glass. It is about 2mm to 20mm thick. It is mostly used in front of shops or public places.
What Are The Properties Of Glass?
The 6 main properties of glass are as under:
The main property of glass is transparency. The transparent the glass, the better the vision of that glass. Usually, the glasses are transparent from both sides, but there is some glass that is transparent from one side only. An example of such types of glasses are mirrors that have only one side transparency.
The strength of glass is the second property of glass. It depends on the modulus of the ruptured value of glass. The glass is very brittle initially. We add admixtures and laminates to make it more stronger.
The workability of the glass is a superior property. Glass can be moulded into any shape when melted.
A glass should have visible transmittance property. It means that a visible fraction of light should pass through the glass.
The u-value of the glass is the amount of heat that can be passed through the glass. Like, if the glass is insulated the glass will have a lower u-value.
A glass can always be recycled. It has 100% recyclable property. It is used as a raw material in the construction industry.
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