Understanding the Refractive Index of Glass
Leave a CommentUnderstanding the behavior of light can be an important factor when determining which glass materials to use for your manufacturing process. When light passes through a substance, it decreases in velocity. This is manifested by an increase in the substance’s refractive index. Much can be learned about the optical properties of a glass material by […]
Four Key Applications for Glass Wafers
Leave a CommentGlass wafers are circular pieces of precision glass used in numerous technical and industrial applications. Swift Glass’s wafer fabrication process utilizes proprietary technologies to deliver the finely-made components required by our customers in a range of demanding industries. High-quality glass material is selected, then the wafer is carefully shaped via cutting and grinding processes, then […]
Tags: glass manufacturing
Molded Glass vs. Flat Glass: What’s the Difference?
Leave a CommentGlass is one of the world’s most complex, high-performance materials: specialty glass can be engineered to suit miniature, hyper-precise optics just as readily as it can be manufactured for bullet and fire-proof windows and walls. Glass can withstand explosions, extreme environments, and some of the world’s most aggressive and corrosive chemical materials. Glass formulations can […]
Alternative Materials to the Discontinued Corning® Vycor® Glass
Leave a CommentMaterial Options to Substitute for Corning® Vycor® Glass Invented by Corning in 1939, Corning® Vycor® Glass has been used in a wide range of applications over the years, from laboratory equipment to early spacecraft viewing ports. A blend of 96% silica and 4% boron trioxide, Corning® Vycor® Glass is a high-temperature glass valued for its […]
Understanding Optical Glass Surface Specifications
Leave a CommentTo ensure the manufacture of consistently high-quality, high-performance glass components and products, it’s critical to utilize optical specifications. These are useful in two ways: First, they establish an acceptable standard by which a glass surface must perform; second, they can help determine the amount of time, money, and labor that should be spent on the […]
Material of the Month: Borosilicate
Leave a CommentIn the late 19th century, a German glassmaker by the name of Otto Schott developed what was then a revolutionary new type of glass: It included boric oxide, differentiating the product from the soda-lime-based glass products on the market. This unique material became known as borosilicate glass or, simply, boro glass. Borosilicate can be used […]
Tags: benefits, boric oxide, boro glass, features
FAQ — Thermal Glass Tempering
Leave a CommentTempered glass is one of the most popular choices for applications in which traditional, or annealed, glass may pose a safety hazard. For nearly 100 years, Swift Glass has been providing quality custom glass fabrication services for a wide range of industries. To provide insight on the thermal glass tempering process and its various benefits, […]
Waterjet Cutting Materials For Various Industries
Leave a CommentUsed to cut a wide array of materials across a range of industries, waterjet cutting is ideal for applications involving materials that are sensitive to the high temperatures generated by many other common cutting methods. The phrase “waterjet cutting” is commonly used to refer to abrasive waterjet cutting, in which an abrasive such as granite […]
What’s the Right Thickness for your Sight Glass?
Leave a CommentUsed in a range of industries and applications, sight glass is used to check the level of liquid in a reservoir or supply line. Critical tools for ensuring operations are running safely and smoothly, these transparent tubes or windows allow users unimpeded observation in order to monitor conditions in piping, vessels, chemical reactors, and other […]
5 Common Glass Edge Types
Leave a CommentGlass materials can receive many different types of glass edge treatments, each of which will uniquely affect the overall functionality and performance of the finished piece. Edging can improve safety, aesthetics, functionality, and cleanliness while improving dimensional tolerance and helping to prevent chipping. Below, we’ll explore five common glass edge types and their unique benefits. […]
