Method of manufacturing sheet and float glass at high production rates

Abstract

Abstract A method of increasing the rate of production (throughput) of flat glass, particularly sheet glass manufactured by the Pittsburgh -Process, and float glass manufactured by the Float Process is disclosed. -The method involves altering the standard commercial sheet glass formulations -of the Pittsburgh Process and of the Float Process to give a lower -SiO2 and CaO containing glass which has a higher Na2O content. The new -glass composition melts and fines at lower temperatures and is a surprisingly -more soluble composition for the batch sand which makes the glass composition -faster melting. The new glass requires less salt cake for melting and -fining than conventional sheet and float glass and also retains a higher -percentage of SO3 during melting and refining in the glass than either -conventional sheet and float glass. These factors significantly reduce -the pollution hazards associated with gaseous and particulate sulfur emissions. Further, since the glass is faster melting, it helps reduce -particulate emissions due to dusting. Further, the new glass has a lower -liquidus temperature, a wider working range, can be attenuated over a wider -temperature range, and is easier to cut. Flat glass articles of the -new composition can be both thermally and chemically tempered at faster -rates. These improved properties all contribute to high throughput conditions. Although the new glass can be made at higher production -rates, commercially desirable properties, such as chemical durability, -are as good as commercially available sheet and float glass.

Inventors

• 👤 S Ohlberg
• 👤 J Jones

Bibliographic Details