Glass has a reputation for being fragile yet it actually had a wide range of industrial applications that require it to operate at high temperatures. Examples of such applications include panels, lenses, and covers for manufacturing equipment, instrumentations, inspection systems and eyewear.
What is Glass Manufacturing?
Raw materials – sandstone, soda ash, limestone – are combined together and subjected to extremely high temperatures until they become molten. At this stage they can evolve into a new material, glass. Something that, at incredibly high temperature, can be reshaped and repurposed.
Structurally similar to liquids at hotter temperatures, when at lower ones glass acts like solids do which is why it can be pressed and formed into so many differing shapes.
These days, glass is used for almost everything. From buildings, to vehicles, to almost any device with a screen.
What Are Some Glass Manufacturing Applications?
Glass is an incredibly versatile product and this could be due to its material makeup. It’s also a material that is very beneficial to us in our everyday lives as it has so many applications.
Sustainability Purpose
Since glass can be completely recycled, it is a fully sustainable product and is, therefore, a benefit to the environment. It contributes to mitigating climate change whilst, at the same time, saving our resources of metal.
In the sustainability business sectors, glass is used in the process of generating renewable energy solutions like solar-thermal, and wind turbines. Such renewable energy solutions are massively profiting from glass being used as they are manufactured with lightweight reinforcement glass fibres.
Construction
Construction has a massive use for glass. Just look at skyscrapers.
Glass is used by many for their energy saving properties as the large glazes allow for the most natural light possible to get into the home. For skyscrapers, glass is one of the best options as brightening up office spaces with natural lighting can enhance peoples’ work wellness in a positive way.
Health of People
The characteristics of glass make it a chosen product in multiple industries, including food manufacturing and pharmaceuticals. It’s preservation properties make it one of the most ideal products for vitamin packaging.
Additionally, it is especially beneficial to keep medicine inside glass containers as it actually helps to preserve medicinal properties.
Glass ensures that any liquids held inside its container will not be stained by the packaging. Not to mention how glass is being used every day to improve millions of individuals’ vision worldwide.
Saving Resources
As glass is manufactured with raw materials that we have an abundance of, including sand and glass itself, this makes it a resource-efficient product. In fact, glass is well-known to be reusable and recyclable.
Glass bottles, specifically, save plenty of resources. Their recycling rate is roughly between 50% and 80%. Left over glass is known as cullets and this is old, broken down glass that’s not being used. So in order not to waste anything, it is reused by being added into the furnace during the manufacturing process.
Glass is a product that isn’t wasted because it doesn’t need to be – every part is reusable. On top of that, the cullets melt at lower temperatures than the raw materials so their energy consumption is much lower.
Alphatek’s Tip On Protecting Glass Manufacturing Applications
Protective coatings are a beneficial protective measure when it comes to the prevention of problems and the extension of component life.
Alphatek provides a range of surface engineering coatings (HVOF Flame Spraying) to satisfy the needs of the glass manufacturing sector. Bottle and glass container manufacturing plants operate in harsh, corrosive, and wear-and0tear environments.
Therefore, we have created HVOF and Fluoropolymer coatings (HYPERGLAZE) for the maximum level of protection. Even in the most challenging environments. Alphatek has solutions for multiple manufacturing components.
Glass Bottle Moulds
Extreme heat, wear, and corrosion are present when operating glass bottle and glass container moulds. With a variety of coatings, Alphatek can increase the lifespan of a component while reducing oxidisation and wear.
The application of the proper Flame Spray or HVOF surface coating can have a significantly positive impact on the mould, mould neck, and mould base funnel during the production of glass bottles and containers.
Glass Chutes
Glass chutes can be shielded by thermal spray coatings from abrasion and the high temperatures that are typical of the glass manufacturing process. HYPERGLAZE coatings by Alphatek offer major advantages in terms of wear reduction and longer component life, plus less downtime.
Glass Plungers
Glass plungers are particularly susceptible to wear, heat damage, and corrosion throughout the glass manufacturing process.
When it comes to increased component life and decreased down time, the proper application of the thermal spray coatings to glass plungers can offer considerable benefits.
Contact Us
Here at Alphatek, our collective coating experience exceeds 100 years.
We have cultivated tight ties with our customers over the years which has allowed us to create unique goods that are suitable for the particular markets. And we design our coatings to deliver the best outcomes consistently, with a simple process that benefits everyone.
Come to Alphatek for the best price, the best protection, and the best efficiency.
We can assist you if you need experts in thermal spray coating and metal spraying. Call the Alphatek staff right away!
Send a message to our inbox via postbox@alphatek.co.uk or try calling 01706 821 021. We’ll respond to any inquiries you have and provide you with the guidance you need.
If it would be more convenient for you, you are also very welcome to visit our workplace – it’s less than just 20 miles from Manchester. Just be sure to contact us beforehand to make sure our hours are still the same!
Know that we close at 12:00 NOON on Friday 23rd December and we be re-opening again until Tuesday 3rd January, 8:00 AM.
