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  • Materials

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      1. Silica (SiO2):

        • Description: Silica, typically in the form of sand, is the main component of glass, providing its fundamental structure.
        • Melting Point: Silica melts at approximately 1,713 degrees Celsius (3,115 degrees Fahrenheit).

      2. Soda Ash (Sodium Carbonate - Na2CO3):

        • Description: Soda ash acts as a flux, lowering the melting point of silica and enhancing workability.
        • Melting Point: Soda ash decomposes around 851 degrees Celsius (1499 degrees Fahrenheit).

      3. Lime (Calcium Carbonate - CaCO3):

        • Description: Lime stabilizes glass, prevents water solubility, and enhances durability.
        • Decomposition: Lime decomposes into calcium oxide (CaO) upon heating, contributing to the chemical reactions in the glass.

      4. Alumina (Aluminum Oxide - Al2O3):

        • Description: Alumina is an optional ingredient that improves the durability and workability of glass, often used in borosilicate glass.
        • Melting Point: Alumina has a high melting point of approximately 2,072 degrees Celsius (3,762 degrees Fahrenheit).

      5. Colourants:

        • Various metal oxides and compounds are added to achieve specific colours in glass.
        • Melting Points: Colourant compounds have varying melting points. For example, cobalt oxide (Co3O4) melts at about 1,900 degrees Celsius (3,452 degrees Fahrenheit).

      6. Opacifiers:

        • Opacifiers like tin oxide (SnO2) are added to make the glass opaque, reducing transparency.
        • Tin Oxide Melting Point: Tin oxide melts at around 1,120 degrees Celsius (2,048 degrees Fahrenheit).

      7. Decolorizers:

        • Materials like cerium oxide (CeO2) are added to get a more transparent glass.
        • Cerium Oxide Melting Point: Cerium oxide melts at approximately 2,600 degrees Celsius (4,712 degrees Fahrenheit).

      8. Fluxes:

        • Additional fluxes like borax (sodium borate - Na2B4O7) or potassium carbonate (K2CO3) can be used to adjust the glass's melting point and viscosity.

      9. Frits:

        • Frits are crushed glass granules that can be added to the molten glass to introduce specific colours, patterns, or textures.

      10. Borax (Sodium Borate - Na2B4O7):

        • Description: Borax can serve as a flux and colourant in certain types of glass, especially in borosilicate glass.
        • Melting Point: Borax melts at approximately 743 degrees Celsius (1,369 degrees Fahrenheit).

      Working with these materials involves precise measurements and mixing to create the desired glass composition. The specific proportions of these raw materials and the heating process vary based on the type of glass being produced. Achieving consistent and vibrant colours in glassblowing is both a science and an art, as artists and manufacturers experiment with chemical compositions and melting temperatures to achieve the desired results.

◄Introduction
►Quiz!