Customized Glass
Custom Glass Ordering
Glass Types and Specifications
1. Soda-Lime Glass (Standard Glass)
Composition: SiO₂ (70-75%), Na₂O (12-16%), CaO (8-12%)
Properties:
- Heat Resistance: Low (ΔT≈50°C), softening point ~600°C, prone to thermal shock breakage
- Chemical Stability: Poor acid resistance (alkaline components vulnerable to acid), moderate alkali resistance
- Mechanical Strength: High brittleness, Mohs hardness 5-6, easily scratched
- Light Transmission: ~90% (visible light)
Applications: Bottles, window glass, decorative items
Cost: Lowest, approximately $1.5-4.5/m² (3mm thickness)
2. Borosilicate Glass
Composition: SiO₂ (80%), B₂O₃ (10-13%), Al₂O₃ (2-3%)
Properties:
- Heat Resistance: High (ΔT≈150°C), softening point ~820°C, low expansion coefficient (3.3×10⁻⁶/°C)
- Chemical Stability: Acid and alkali resistant (laboratory grade), strong hydrolysis resistance
- Mechanical Strength: Better impact resistance than soda-lime glass, Mohs hardness 6-7
- Light Transmission: >92% (ultra-clear borosilicate approaches 99%)
Applications: Laboratory glassware (e.g., beakers), heat-resistant cookware (e.g., oven trays), lighting fixtures
Cost: Medium-high, approximately $12-30/m² (depending on purity and thickness)
3. High Borosilicate Glass
Composition: Higher B₂O₃ content (12-15%), SiO₂ (70-75%)
Properties:
- Heat Resistance: Excellent (ΔT≈200°C), softening point >900°C, even lower expansion coefficient (1.6×10⁻⁶/°C)
- Chemical Stability: Resistant to strong acids and alkalis (except hydrofluoric acid), outstanding corrosion resistance
- Mechanical Strength: Bending strength twice that of standard glass, similar hardness to borosilicate
- Light Transmission: Ultra-clear versions up to 99.9% (approaching optical glass)
Applications: High-end laboratory instruments, coffee pots, wall-mounted boiler observation windows
Cost: High, approximately $22-60/m²
4. Glass-Ceramic
Composition: Mainly Li₂O-Al₂O₃-SiO₂ system, with nucleating agents (e.g., TiO₂, ZrO₂)
Properties:
- Heat Resistance: Exceptional (ΔT≈800°C), softening point >1200°C, can withstand direct flame heating
- Chemical Stability: Acid and alkali resistant, hydrolysis resistant, UV aging resistant
- Mechanical Strength: Bending strength >150MPa, Mohs hardness 7-8, approaching steel
- Light Transmission: Semi-transparent to opaque (depends on crystallization degree)
Applications: Induction cooktop panels, spacecraft thermal tiles, dental restoration materials
Cost: Very high, approximately $75-300/m² (depending on process complexity)
5. Fused Silica (Quartz Glass)
Composition: SiO₂ purity >99.95%
Properties:
- Heat Resistance: Highest (ΔT≈1000°C), softening point 1730°C, can withstand 1200°C long-term
- Chemical Stability: Only hydrofluoric acid and hot phosphoric acid can corrode it, resistant to other strong acids and alkalis
- Mechanical Strength: Brittle but compressive strength reaches 1100MPa (10× standard glass)
- Light Transmission: High transmission across UV-IR spectrum (especially UV transmission >90%)
Applications: Semiconductor wafer manufacturing, optical fibers, lasers, aerospace optical windows
Cost: Extremely high, approximately $300-1500/m² (depending on purity and shape)
6. Sapphire Glass (Single Crystal Alumina)
Composition: α-Al₂O₃ single crystal
Properties:
- Heat Resistance: Excellent (melting point 2050°C), but brittle with lower thermal shock resistance than quartz
- Chemical Stability: Acid and alkali resistant (except concentrated sulfuric acid and hydrofluoric acid), corrosion resistant
- Mechanical Strength: Mohs hardness 9 (second only to diamond), extremely scratch resistant
- Light Transmission: 85-90% visible light transmission (higher when thickness <2mm)
Applications: Luxury watch crystals, smartphone camera lens covers, military armor windows
Cost: Highest, approximately $750-4500/m² (depending on size and machining precision)
Comparative Table
| Type | Heat Resistance | Chemical Stability | Mechanical Strength | Light Transmission | Cost Level |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Soda-Lime Glass | ★☆☆☆☆ | ★★☆☆☆ | ★★☆☆☆ | ★★★☆☆ | Low |
| Borosilicate Glass | ★★★☆☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★☆☆ | ★★★★☆ | Medium |
| High Borosilicate Glass | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | Medium-High |
| Glass-Ceramic | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★☆☆☆ | High |
| Fused Silica | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | Very High |
| Sapphire Glass | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | Highest |
Selection Guide
- Economy Priority: Soda-lime glass (low-cost everyday use)
- Heat Resistance Needed: Glass-ceramic (cookware), high borosilicate glass (laboratory)
- Extreme Environments: Fused silica (high temperature/radiation), sapphire glass (scratch resistance)
- Optical Requirements: High borosilicate or fused silica glass (ultra-low impurities)
Note: Actual selection should consider specific scenarios (e.g., impact resistance, light transmission bands, processing difficulty). Sapphire and quartz glass have extremely high processing costs and require careful budget evaluation.