lasituotanto

Lasituotanto refers to the industrial process of manufacturing glass. This involves melting raw materials, primarily sand (silica), soda ash (sodium carbonate), and limestone (calcium carbonate), at high temperatures in a furnace. These ingredients, along with recycled glass known as cullet, are mixed in precise proportions.

The molten glass is then shaped using various methods. For flat glass, used in windows and mirrors, the float glass process is common, where molten glass is poured onto a bath of molten tin, creating a perfectly flat surface. For container glass, such as bottles and jars, methods like blow molding or press-and-blow are employed. For more intricate designs or decorative items, techniques like glassblowing by hand or automated pressing can be used.

After shaping, the glass undergoes a controlled cooling process called annealing. This is crucial to relieve internal stresses that develop during manufacturing, preventing the glass from cracking or shattering. Finally, the glass may undergo further treatments like tempering for increased strength, coating for specific properties, or cutting and polishing to achieve the final product. The specific raw materials and processes can vary depending on the desired type of glass and its intended application.