Evolution of various glass technologies
Category: Business/Economy
Natural glass is believed to exist from time immemorial. It might have formed due to various natural phenomena like the melting of rocks due to high temperature changes caused by volcanic eruptions, impact of meteorites and lightning strikes etc. The molten material cooled and solidified to form different types of natural glasses. Stonage man is known to have made different tools with the naturally formed glasses like obsidian and tektites. Today, glass making uses different glass technologies to produce different types of glasses like optical glass, flat glass and many others to make various objects. Some of the earliest man-made objects using glass such as the glass beads are dated back to about 3500 BC were found in Eastern Mesopotamia and Egypt. During the third millennium, some basic raw materials of glass were used in central Mesopotamia to make glass pots and vases. The first manual on glass making dates back to 650 BC. The instructions are given in the form of tablets. In 15 AD, the Syrian craftsmen began to use blown glass. It was at this time that the Romans found new glass technologies for using glass for windows. Under the Emperor Julius Caesar, the Romans introduced glass technologies to different parts of China and Europe. In about 1000 AD, another type of glass arose which made use of sand, lime and soda ash as raw materials. Due to the less availability of soda ash, potash began to be used instead. Glass making began to improve since then. Venice became the main glass making center during this time. Lead crystal was developed during late 1600s. In 1900s, different important glass technologies were developed for making different kinds of glassware. Glass is used not only in general consumer products but also in robotics, solar technology, advanced coating applications and microelectronics. One of the most common types of glasses is the optical glass that is used for a wide variety of uses in industrial areas and consumer products. In consumer oriented products, the optical glass is used in devices like cameras, video cameras, camera lenses, binoculars, spotting lenses and digital projectors. In the industrial sector it is used for microscopy, laser fusion, medical engineering, geodesy, professional image processing and reprographics. Optical glass is usually specified according to their internal and optical propertiesof colored glass. Many companies are involved in the production of different types of glasses for various purposes. Different types of optical glasses are available such as the arsenic free N-glass, classical glass with lead oxide and precision molding glass. For more information please visit our website : http://www.us.schott.com
Date Added: October 24, 2011 08:59:19 AM
Author: carol90
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