Laura Brito
06-27-2002, 08:01 PM
This thread for some reason didn't make the move! I started it again here then!
For those here that do not know the different types of glass I will try and explain and anyone who has info themselves other than mine or to correct me, please post it!
Soft Glass - Is usually Moretti Glass or Effertre Glass from Italy. This glass is made in batches and hand pulled into rods. It is real interesting to see it done. This type of glass melts in a lower tempature flame. I believe that Satake (Japanese), Czech Glass,
Bullseye, Stained Glass is stiffer and I believe it is considered soft glass as well.
Hard Glass - Pyrex, Glass Alchemy, Dwarf, North Star, Parasilicate, Borostix, Colorstix, and many other brands exist. This type of glass takes a very hot flame to shape and form it, usually a larger torch too. This type of glass is often explained by telling people you know the Pyrex dishes you use in your oven? Well this is basically that, it is also what is used in test tubes, the disney land glass figurines, wedding cake figurines too.
Anything made of glass has to be annealed, annealing is taking the item after you finish it and keeping it at a preset tempature (depends on the brand of glass and type) for a certain period of time (depends on how big the item is) and letting it soak. What happens to glass when we heat it and play around with it, shaping and forming it, makes the molecules really mad, they are jumbled up and not in order, they really like to be in straight lines like soldiers, so by soaking the item, it lets them relax back into place. thus making the item pretty happy in its new shape. If you do not do this the item might last a little while, sometimes a long while, but eventually it will break or explode. So annealing is important and necessary if the item is to be sold to someone. We don't want anyone hurt by flying glass!
Anyway hope everyone found this interesting and if you have anything to add or questions I would love to hear and answer them!
Laura
For those here that do not know the different types of glass I will try and explain and anyone who has info themselves other than mine or to correct me, please post it!
Soft Glass - Is usually Moretti Glass or Effertre Glass from Italy. This glass is made in batches and hand pulled into rods. It is real interesting to see it done. This type of glass melts in a lower tempature flame. I believe that Satake (Japanese), Czech Glass,
Bullseye, Stained Glass is stiffer and I believe it is considered soft glass as well.
Hard Glass - Pyrex, Glass Alchemy, Dwarf, North Star, Parasilicate, Borostix, Colorstix, and many other brands exist. This type of glass takes a very hot flame to shape and form it, usually a larger torch too. This type of glass is often explained by telling people you know the Pyrex dishes you use in your oven? Well this is basically that, it is also what is used in test tubes, the disney land glass figurines, wedding cake figurines too.
Anything made of glass has to be annealed, annealing is taking the item after you finish it and keeping it at a preset tempature (depends on the brand of glass and type) for a certain period of time (depends on how big the item is) and letting it soak. What happens to glass when we heat it and play around with it, shaping and forming it, makes the molecules really mad, they are jumbled up and not in order, they really like to be in straight lines like soldiers, so by soaking the item, it lets them relax back into place. thus making the item pretty happy in its new shape. If you do not do this the item might last a little while, sometimes a long while, but eventually it will break or explode. So annealing is important and necessary if the item is to be sold to someone. We don't want anyone hurt by flying glass!
Anyway hope everyone found this interesting and if you have anything to add or questions I would love to hear and answer them!
Laura