Windshields are a very important component of a vehicle. An auto glass acts as a safeguard for passengers because it protects them from external debris and weather. They also create an aerodynamic element along with providing comfort and functionality. It also keeps the vehicle from buckling in case of a rollover. And with the help of this, the driver and front seat passenger can view the road ahead. Let us understand how the auto glass Tulsa is made-
How is auto glass made?
To under how auto glass is made, you should know what all raw materials are used in the making of glass. Glass is made up of oxides that fuse and react together when they are heated. The main ingredients include-
- Silica or sand– Silicon dioxide is a chemical compound that is a type of sand that consists of tiny granules of quartz. It has a very high melting point and is responsible for about 60 to 70% of the windshield.
- Cullet– A cullet is a broken or waste glass that is added so that melting can become easier in making new glass.
- Lime oxide– It is mainly extracted from lime, limestone, or calcium oxide counters. This is used to counter the effects of Sodium carbonate and to make the glass insoluble in water. It improves the hardness and chemical durability of the glass.
- Sodium Carbonate– When Sodium Carbonate is mixed with silica, the melting point reduces, making the glass more efficient. Sodium Carbonate also causes the finished glass to be water-soluble.
- Potassium Oxide, Aluminum Oxide, and Magnesium Oxide– To prepare an auto glass, small quantities of all these are also added.
Water is added to these ingredients and mixed well. When the mixture is heated at a high temperature, the process of chemical fusion gives birth to a new substance called glass.
How is an auto glass manufactured?
When the raw materials are measured in the appropriate amounts, the float glass process is used to melt the batch. The name ‘float glass’ is derived from the fact that the glass literally ‘floats’ inside a chamber while the glass is being manufactured. The process then produces a sheet of glass with a uniform thickness and flat surfaces. This is done by floating molten glass with molten metal.
The glass floats as a luggage bag floats on a conveyor belt. At an opening, the glass is also cleaned for any impurities. When the glass reaches the end, the temperature becomes cooler, which further allows the glass to become hard so that it can move to the next phase of production. Once the glass is about to leave the float chamber, a special coating is applied. This coating helps the glass to become heat resistant in the summer. Due to this quality of the glass, the interiors of the car remain cool. Lastly, the glass reaches a special furnace where it is gradually cooled before it is ready to cut.
How is an auto glass cut and tempered?
Once the glass is cooled down, it needs to be cut into different sizes and then shaped well to meet the desired curvature. A cut line is made in the glass using a diamond scribe, which is later broken or snapped. This is a very important step because it requires a high level of accuracy. This sheet of glass is then placed into a mold where it can be bent into the desired shape.
The mold is put to heat in a furnace to the point when the glass can fill the shape of the mold. The glass is later tempered so that its strength can be improved, and then it is blasted with cool air. This process allows the glass to become tough. Tempering helps the glass not to break into small pieces of glass that have sharp edges in case the windshield attracts any pressure.
How is auto glass in Tulsa laminated and assembled?
In the case of lamination, two sheets of glass are bonded together using a layer of plastic between them. Due to lamination, the glass gets its strength because the glass will stick to the internal tear-resistant plastic layer when it is broken.
Finally, the windshield is ready to be assembled using plastic moldings. This process is done at a glass manufacturer so that the glass can be set in a mold cavity.
To Sum It Up
Now you must be clear about how an auto glass is made and how strong it is. If a windshield is not fit properly, it will compromise passenger and driver safety. If you need any services related to auto glass in Tulsa, make sure you only approach a well-recognized auto glass company that is certified and offers a warranty for the services offered.