Introduction
Glass plays a crucial role in the mining and boating industry. But do you know the issue about the glass? It must have premium quality and must not break.
The extreme conditions in the mining and boating industry require differently built glass. Do you want to know the type of glass you need and the fabrication process to level up the strength of your glass?
This guide is the ultimate stop for you. We will discuss the fabrication process and understand the resistance and quality of glass you might need!! Let’s dig deeper.
Why is Glass Essential in the Mining and Boating Industries?
In the mining industry, glass has to undergo different stresses than boating. First, we will discuss the glass features required for every industry.
For mining
The features of glass are different for the mining industry. It must be robust and thick enough to survive all the stresses. The chances of breakage are high because it has to undergo.
- High-impact environments (rockfalls, debris, heavy machinery)
- Extreme temperatures (from underground heat to icy surface conditions)
- Chemical exposure (dust, acids, and explosive gases)
- Harsh vibrations (caused by drilling and blasting)
In the mining industry, you can optimize and use glass for the following applications.
- Mining vehicle windshields and windows (used in haul trucks, bulldozers, and loaders)
- Safety barriers and shields (protecting operators in control rooms)
- Monitoring and instrumentation panels (providing visibility for automation systems)
For boating
For the boating industry, the applications and uses are different. Therefore, the glass fabrication must be done accordingly.
In the boating industry, glass undergoes:
- Constant exposure to saltwater and UV rays
- Impact from waves, storms, and high-speed travel
- High-pressure water forces (especially on underwater windows and portholes)
- Temperature fluctuations (from freezing conditions to tropical heat)
To combat all such temperature changes and forces, your glass must be weather-resistant and fight all the odds.
Common applications include:
- Boat windshields and cabin windows (improving visibility and weather resistance)
- Underwater observation glass (used in submarines and luxury yachts)
- Marine electronics screens and display covers
Glass fabrication process for mining and boating industries
Do you want to know the step-by-step glass fabrication process for mining and boating? Here is the complete guide.
Step 1: Raw Material Selection
You must opt for raw materials to cope with tough mining and boating conditions. Some raw materials are fundamental. For example, high-purity silica, soda ash, and limestone. The relevant raw materials include:
- Boron or alumina for impact resistance (used in mining vehicle windows)
- Laminates and coatings for UV and saltwater resistance (ideal for boats)
Step 2: Melting and Forming
First, melt the glass at a higher temperature of 1700°C. Once the glass melts, there are different techniques to shape it. For example:
- Float glass process (used for smooth and clear glass sheets)
- Rolled glass (textured glass used for non-slip applications)
- Pressed glass (for thick, reinforced glass components)
Step 3: Strengthening Treatment
Since the goal is to increase the strength of the glass material, you can rely on various methods.
These include:
- Tempering is a unique process that bestows 5X more strength. Rapidly cooling after heating strengthens the glass.
- The chemical strengthening process involves the replacement of smaller sodium ions with larger potassium ions.
- Lamination is also a common technique here. A middle layer of polyvinyl butyral (PVB) or polycarbonate makes the glass shatterproof and strengthens.
Step 4: Coating and special treatment
Coating and special treatment tactics increase glass visibility and improve user experience. You can come up with the following options.
- Anti-glare coatings for clear vision in high-sunlight conditions
- Anti-reflective coatings reduce glare and improve visibility.
- Hydrophobic coatings repel water.
- UV-resistant coatings prevent sun damage.
- Anti-scratch coatings increase longevity in mining environments.
Step 5: Cutting and Shaping
Do you have customized applications? You have to go for the customized cutting and shaping for optimal results. Here are two unique and commonly used methods for cutting and shaping glass materials.
- Water jet cutting. It uses a high-pressure water jet that cuts through everything. Whether metallic or other components, water jet cutting is the ideal choice.
- Laser cutting. Instead of a water jet, you can try the targeted lasers. They create the precise edges and make the ideal cutting.
Step 6: Quality Control and The Testing
Before you go with your ordinary and fabricated glass materials, it is better to know whether they are of the required quality. Marine-to-mining conditions are different from usual life. So, differentiate the glass and apply different tests.
Here is the list of rigorous testing.
- Impact resistance testing (simulating debris strikes in mining)
- Pressure resistance testing (for underwater marine glass)
- Thermal shock testing (ensuring glass withstands rapid temperature changes)
- Salt spray testing (exposing marine glass to simulated seawater conditions)
Types of glass used in the mining and boating industry
Tons of types of glass are used in the mining and boating industry. Here is the comprehensive list.
- Tempered glass uses rapid heating and cooling to produce strength.
- Laminated glass has a layer of polyvinyl materials that makes it more strengthened.
- Polycarbonate glass is another option available.
- Gorilla Glass is famous for its next-gen strength and optimal usage in marine applications.
- Quartz Glass sustains high-temperature applications.
| Type of Glass | Mining Applications | Boating Applications |
| Tempered Glass | Mining vehicle windshields, safety barriers | Boat windshields, portholes |
| Laminated Glass | Control room windows, safety enclosures | Yacht cabin windows, luxury marine glass |
| Polycarbonate Glass | Blast-resistant windows, helmet visors | Bulletproof marine windows, underwater glass panels |
| Gorilla Glass | Instrument panels, touch displays | Marine electronic screens, touchscreen panels |
| Quartz Glass | High-temperature applications | Specialty marine windows (submarines) |
Conclusion
When using glass in the mining and boating industry, always favor premium quality. A high-end glass is the only option that survives the damaging environment.
Fabrication is necessary, but how and where do you get that fabrication?
Shenxun Glass Manufacturer is the final place where you get everything. From fabrication to customization, manage all the glass aspects. Even the quality is next-level. Also, get affordable prices for your glass materials.
Check out the premium glass options right away!