Float glass

Float glass is a sheet of <a href="/facts/Glass/hezRsAGf">glass</a> made by floating molten glass on a bed of molten metal of a low <a href="/facts/Melting_point/MY0w0h0k">melting point</a>, typically <a href="/facts/Tin/obW9mqc3">tin</a>, although <a href="/facts/Lead/EYljasJN">lead</a> was used for the process in the past. This method gives the sheet uniform thickness and a very flat surface. The float glass process is also known as the Pilkington process, named after the British glass manufacturer <a href="/facts/Pilkington/C9vxNwcU">Pilkington</a>, which pioneered the technique in the 1950s at their production site in <a href="/facts/St_Helens%2c_Merseyside/waCyVJox">St Helens, Merseyside</a>.
Modern <a href="/facts/Window/d89WmHTN">windows</a> are usually made from float glass, though <a href="/facts/Corning_Incorporated/b9C4hgdG">Corning Incorporated</a> uses the <a href="/facts/Overflow_downdraw_method/MkS5Xo4E">overflow downdraw method</a>. 
Most float glass is <a href="/facts/Soda%25E2%2580%2593lime_glass/CFYbacLU">soda–lime glass</a>, although relatively minor quantities of specialty <a href="/facts/Borosilicate/Ywaqt7Ic">borosilicate</a> and <a href="/facts/Flat_panel_display/jw0LWETN">flat panel display</a> glass are also produced using the float glass process.

Float glass open-in-new

Float glass