glassprocessing

Glassprocessing refers to the set of industrial operations that convert raw glass into finished products. It covers forming, shaping, finishing, treating, coating, and quality control applied to glass produced from silica-based batches.

Forming and shaping include techniques to create flat, curved, or hollow shapes. The float glass process forms flat sheets by floating molten glass on a tin bath, producing window glass and mirrors. Non-flat products are made by drawing, pressing, blowing, or molding molten glass, including bottles, jars, and architectural shapes. Glass fibers are drawn from viscous glass streams for insulation and composites.

Finishing and treating involve cutting to size, edge finishing, drilling, and hole punching. Heat treatments such as annealing relieve thermal stress in gradually cooled glass, while tempering or chemical tempering creates a strengthened outer surface for safety and durability. Laminating with interlayers adds impact resistance or safety in automotive and architectural applications.

Coatings and surface treatments modify optical and thermal properties. Low-emissivity, reflective, tinted, or anti-reflective coatings can be applied, as can anti-scratch or hydrophobic finishes. Functional glazing may include coatings for solar control, UV protection, or self-cleaning properties. Laminates, frits, and enamels provide color and durability. Quality control ensures dimensional accuracy, surface quality, and optical performance. Tests cover thickness, flatness, edge integrity, transmission, and strength. Recycling and sustainability programs use cullet to lower energy use and emissions and promote closed-loop processing.