Quartz sand plays a crucial role in glass manufacturing, as its purity,
particle size, and chemical properties directly affect the quality and
performance of glass. The following are the main functions of quartz sand in
glass manufacturing:
1. Main components of glass
-Quartz sand is the main raw material for glass, usually accounting for about
60% -70% in the formula of ordinary glass. The higher the content of silica (SiO
₂) in quartz sand, the better the transparency and hardness of the glass.
-High purity quartz sand typically has a silica content of over 99%, which
helps reduce impurities in the glass and gives it higher transparency and
optical properties.
2. Improve the heat resistance of glass
-Quartz sand contains abundant silica and has a high melting point (about
1713 ° C), providing excellent heat resistance during glass melting.
-Glass materials containing quartz sand can withstand high temperatures and
are suitable for producing products that require heat resistance, such as
laboratory vessels, oven glass, chemical equipment, etc.
3. Enhance the mechanical strength of glass
-The high hardness of quartz sand (Mohs hardness of about 7) endows glass
with excellent mechanical strength, reducing the risk of glass breakage during
production and use.
-Especially in the manufacturing of high-strength building glass, safety
glass, or automotive glass, the high hardness of quartz sand helps to improve
the impact resistance and wear resistance of the finished product.
4. Control the expansion coefficient of glass
-Silicon dioxide in quartz sand has a low coefficient of expansion, and its
addition to glass can effectively control the expansion and contraction of glass
under temperature changes, avoiding cracking or breakage of glass products when
heated.
-This characteristic is very important for the production of precision
optical glass, optical fibers, optical instruments, etc., which helps to
maintain the stability and accuracy of the products.
5. Improve the chemical stability of glass
-The silica in quartz sand has good chemical stability, which enables glass
products to withstand acid and alkali corrosion and avoid chemical changes in
humid or corrosive environments.
-This feature is suitable for producing glassware for chemical experiments,
pharmaceutical glass containers, etc., ensuring that their long-term use is not
affected by the environment.
6. Meet the production needs of special glass
-High purity quartz sand is suitable for producing some special glass
varieties, such as electronic glass, optical glass, radiation resistant glass,
etc. Glass products with extremely strict control of impurity content.
-High purity quartz sand is crucial in the production of substrates for LCD
display glass, solar cell glass, and other high-tech products.
7. Save production costs
-Quartz sand has a relatively low price compared to other glass materials and
is abundant in reserves, making it an economical filling material in glass
manufacturing.
-The use of quartz sand can not only reduce production costs, but also
improve production efficiency, achieving a balance between economy and quality
in glass manufacturing.
summary
Quartz sand plays a crucial role in glass manufacturing due to its excellent
properties such as high purity, heat resistance, chemical stability, and low
coefficient of expansion. It is not only the main component of glass, but also
enhances the optical transparency, mechanical strength, and corrosion resistance
of glass, meeting the production needs from ordinary architectural glass to
high-tech precision glass. Therefore, quartz sand plays an irreplaceable role in
the glass manufacturing industry, driving innovation and development in various
application fields of the glass industry.