Ceramic – Glass
Raw materials for Glass Manufacturing:
Having seen the specification of Silica Sand for Glass manufacturing and techniques for silica sand beneficiation, we shall now see the required specifications and manufacturing process types for the next most important raw material used in Glass manufacturing - Soda Ash. As mentioned in the earlier blogs, 16% of the batch weight is Soda Ash and this is the most costly raw material used in the batch. Soda Ash is nothing but sodium carbonate. Soda Ash is mainly classified into two types; Light Soda Ash and Dense Soda Ash. Of this the dense soda ash variety is the preferred type for using in the glass manufacturing process.
About 50 percent of the globally produced soda ash is used in glass manufacturing process. This is used mainly for producing flat colourless glass variety. The flat glass targets end use as windows in building construction and in automobiles. Soda Ash is also used for making container glasses. Soda ash acts as the fluxing agent. It is an essential ingredient because it reduces the furnace temperature necessary to melt the silica, thus reducing the energy required to produce glass. Soda ash is generally used to supply the bulk of the alkali element needed in glass making because it is a cost-effective source of Na20.
To be Contd….
