This document discusses the different types of glass, their properties, and uses. It describes the basic structure and composition of glass. The main types discussed are soda lime glass, lead glass, fused silica, borosilicate glass, and aluminosilicate glass. Each have different thermal expansion and heat resistance properties making some more suitable for high temperature uses. The document also covers glass etching, sandblasting, tinting, wiring, and insulated glass for energy efficiency. Common applications of glass include windows, containers, optics, and fire barriers.

2. Glass is an inorganic mixture that has been fused
at a high temperature and cooled without
crystallization. It has an unusual internal
structure because mechanically it is rigid has
the characteristics of a solid, yet the atoms in
the glass are arranged in a random order
similar to those in a liquid. Glass is technically
super cooled liquid or we can say Glass is an
amorphous (non-crystalline) solid material.
Glasses are typically brittle, and often optically
transparent. Glass is commonly used for
windows, bottles, and eyewear.

3. Categories of glass Thermal Expansion Heat Resistance
Soda Lime Glass High Low
Lead alkali Silica High Low
Fused Silica Low high
96 % Silica Low High
Borosilicate Medium Medium
Aluminosilicate Medium Medium

4. Soda lime glass:
Soda-lime glass, also called soda-lime-silica glass,
Soda-ash Glass or Soft Glass is the most prevalent
type of glass, used for window panes, and glass
containers (bottles and jars) for beverages, food,
and some commodity items. About 90 % of glass
produced is of this type.
It is obtained from the fusion of a mixture of silica,
lime, soda and alumina. It has fair chemical
resistance and does not resist high thermal
changes. It is easily shattered into small, sharp
pieces.

5. Lead glass:
It is obtained from the fusion of a mixture
silica, lead and potash. This glass is also
termed as flint glass.
Lead glass has highly shinning appearance
and takes good polish. It is not affected by
temperature. Cut glass work, electric bulbs
and optical glass are made from it.

6.  Fused silica glass is composed of about 99
percent silicon dioxide and is most
expensive.
 It has the highest resistance to heat,
managing temperatures ranging from 900 to
1200 oC.
 It also has to highest resistance to corrosion
resistance and affords excellent transmission
of ultraviolet rays.

7. Boro-Silicate Glass:
It is obtained from the fusion of silica, borax,
lime and feldspar(KAlSi3O8 – NaAlSi3O8 –
CaAl2Si2O8). This glass withstands high
temperatures and as such laboratory
equipment and cooking utensils are made
out of it.

8.  Alumino silicate glass is more costly than
borosilicate glass but can withstand high
service temperatures

9.  Etching
Etching refers to the technique
of creating art on the surface of
glass by applying acidic,
caustic, or abrasive
substances. Traditionally this
was done after the glass was
blown or cast.
Etching glass produces a surface
that can range from almost
opaque to smooth.

10.  Sand blasting
Glass is sand blasted by
blasting its surface with
coarse grained sand
particles blown by
compressed air. This
produces a translucent
finish than is generally
rougher than etched
glass.

11.  Patterned Finish
Patterned glass has a
texture or pattern
rolled into the surface
as the glass is drawn
through the furnace. It
may be colorless or
tinted and is available
in wide variety of
patterns.

12.  Glass surfaces can be coated with ceramic
frit that is fired at high temperatures.
Ceramic frit is composed of a small
powdered particles produced by quenching a
molten glassy material. This produces a
colored surface layer that is highly weather
resistant. These are often used for finished
exterior surfaces on wall spandrels.

14.  Glass can be infused with color by tinting. One
function of tinted glass is to minimize the
amount of solar gains entering in a building.
 Tinted glass is also known as heat absorbing
glass, since the glass itself absorbs much of the
incoming energy.
 Tinting is achieved by adding color producing
ingredients to the glass at the beginning of its
production process

15.  Tinted glass is often used to
reduce glare.
 Blue green glass achieves a
modern reduction in glare and
brightness,
 Bronze tints are primarily used
to reduce heat gains.
 Gray tints give a wide range of
light transmittance values.
 Translucent glass reduces the
entry of direct sunlight yet
permits considerable
transmission of diffused light.

17.  Wired glass is a safety glass with a mesh of
small diameter wires rolled into the sheets of
molten glass. When it breaks, wires hold the
glass shards together for increased safety.
 It also maintains the integrity as fire barriers
and is used in fire doors and window glazing.

18. Insulated glazing (IG) also known as double
glazing (as most people call it) are double or
triple glass window panes separated by an
air or other gas filled space to reduce heat
transfer across a part of the building
envelope.

20. When a solar energy strikes a glass surface it
can be
 Transmitted through the glass
 Reflected or
 Absorbed in the glass

22.  Glass blocks can be used in partition walls and
external no load bearing walls.
 Sheet glass is used in panelled windows.
 In ventilators, glass is used as louvers.
A louver is a window blind or shutter with
horizontal slats that are angled to admit light
and air, but to keep out rain, direct sunshine,
and noise. The angle of the slats may be
adjustable, usually in blinds and windows, or
fixed.

24.  Glass sheets are used in cupboards.
 Plate glasses are used in wind screens of
vehicles.
 Bullet proof glasses are used in jewellary
stores, bank cash booths, etc.

26. The National Grand Theater of China or the
Bird’s Egg, is an opera house in Beijing

27. The first circular office building in the Middle
East, the Aldar Headquarters, Abu Dhabi.

33. For reference study, read Chapter 29-Glass
from book Construction materials methods
and techniques from book William P.
Spence and Eva Kultermann.
Also See Website of Ghani Glass for
availability of glass in Pakistan.