FACTS GENERAL INFORMATION ARTICLE

terms Commonly MISUNDERSTOOD and/or misused

Bubble glass¾a common name for convex glass, glass molded to protrude in the center.

Bubbled glass¾glass with bubbles, inclusions and imperfections, most often an old glass

Colored glass¾any of a variety of colors of glass often used for stained glass windows

Crystal clear glass¾see low iron glass

Double strength glass¾a thick window glass approximately 3.0 mm or 1/8 inch.

Float glass¾a manufacturing process (see float glass)

Picture glass¾a thin glass commonly used for artwork glazing 2.0 mm or 5/64 inch thickness.

Plate Glass¾Commonly a thick glass (see plate glass)

Shatter proof glass¾any of several types of glass, annealed, laminated, or with wire center.

Single strength glass¾a window glass 2.5 mm 3/32 inch thickness.

Soda or soda lime glass¾a manufacturing process. (see soda lime glass)

Window Glass¾any glass commonly used for picture framing and home window glazing. (see window glass)

Glass Designations and thickness (ASTM standards C1036-91)

Designation                 Traditional                  Nominal           Thickness Range                    Length & width

mm                              Designation                 Decimal           mm                    inch               for cut sizes plus

                                                                        inch           min   max              min   max        or minus, mm (in)

1.5                               Photo                           0.06          1.27   1.78              0.050   0.070      1.6 mm (1/16)

2.0                               Picture                                    0.08          1.80   2.13              0.071   0.084      1.6 mm (1/16)

2.5                               Single                          0.09          2.16   2.57              0.085   0.101      1.6 mm (1/16)

2.7                               Lami                            0.11          2.59   2.90              0.102   0.114      1.6 mm (1/16)

3.0                               Double-1/8 inch          0.12          2.92   3.40              0.115   0.134      1.6 mm (1/16)

Figure 1

The spectrum of light waves showing the Visible, Ultra Violet and Infrared wavelengths. The earth's atmosphere filters the UV below 300 nanometers.

Figure 2

An extended view of energy wavelengths that include the visible portions, 400 to 700 nanometers. The lower the energy wavelength the higher the frequency and levels energy. These high frequency, high energy wavelengths are in general the most damaging to materials.

Figure 3¾Light waves passing through a prism will separate into their individual colors. This is what occurs when we see a rainbow, the most predominant and easiest to recognize are the primary colors of Red, Yellow and Blue.