Standard flat glass produced by cooling molten glass slowly in a lehr oven, creating the basic form of glass used in most glazing applications before further processing.
What is Annealed Glass?
Annealed glass is the most basic form of flat glass, produced by slowly cooling molten glass in a controlled process called annealing. This cooling process relieves internal stresses that would otherwise make the glass fragile and prone to spontaneous breakage.
The annealing process involves heating the glass to approximately 550°C (1022°F) and then gradually cooling it over several hours. This creates glass with uniform internal structure and predictable breaking characteristics.
Key Features
- Uniform Structure: Controlled cooling creates consistent internal stress patterns
- Predictable Breaking: Breaks into large, sharp shards in a relatively predictable pattern
- Easy to Cut: Can be cut, shaped, and processed after manufacturing
- Cost Effective: Most economical form of flat glass production
- Versatile Base: Can be further processed into tempered glass or laminated glass
Benefits
Annealed glass serves as the foundation for most glazing applications due to its versatility and workability. It can be easily cut to size, shaped, and processed into safety glass products. Its predictable properties make it ideal for applications where further processing is required.
Common Applications
- Window Glass: Basic window installations in residential and commercial buildings
- Picture Frames: Standard glazing for artwork and photographs
- Furniture: Table tops and shelving (where not required to be safety glass)
- Processing Base: Raw material for creating tempered glass and laminated glass
- Mirrors: Substrate for silvered mirror production
For more detailed information about glass manufacturing processes, visit the Float glass Wikipedia page.