Glasfremstilling

Glasfremstilling, or glassmaking, is the process of creating glass objects. The fundamental ingredient is silica, commonly derived from sand. This silica is mixed with other materials like soda ash (sodium carbonate) to lower the melting point and limestone (calcium carbonate) to add durability. These raw materials are heated in a furnace to very high temperatures, typically between 1400 and 1700 degrees Celsius, until they melt into a molten, viscous liquid.

Once molten, the glass can be shaped in various ways. One common method is blowing, where a gather of molten glass is taken on the end of a blowpipe and inflated with air. This allows for the creation of hollow forms like bottles and vases. Another technique is pressing, where molten glass is poured into a mold and then pressed into shape. Flat glass, used for windows, is often made through a float process, where molten glass is floated on a bed of molten tin, creating a perfectly flat and smooth surface. Hand-shaping, using tools to manipulate the glass while it's still hot and pliable, is also employed for intricate designs. After shaping, the glass is gradually cooled in a process called annealing to relieve internal stresses and prevent it from cracking. Finally, the glass can be further decorated through etching, painting, or sandblasting.