GLASS LAMINATION
·
Products
· Processes
·
Applications
·
Advantages
·
New Products
Liquid Glass Lamination Resins
Astrocure®
1000G (10G)
Astrocure® 1000G
(10G) is a clear, low viscosity resin and is part of a three component
mix system, designed for use in the following applications:
·
Safety – personal protection
·
Security – missile protection
·
Sound Deadening – protection against sound
·
Solar – protection from weathering conditions
·
Decorative – cosmetically appealing windows, etc.
Astrocure®
1500G
Astrocure® 1500G
is a clear, low viscosity resin similar to Astrocure® 1000G
(10G). It is designed for fabricators, who operate in hot climates (international).
Characteristics that are different from the Astrocure® 1000G
(10G) include:
·
Lower Viscosity
·
Higher elongation
·
Lower reactivity shrink
Applications include all of the
above.
Astrocure®
2000G
Astrocure®
2000G is part of a three part system designed specifically for multiple
glass structures (bullet resistant glass). Windows made with Astrocure®
2000G will pass UL 792 test at all levels and at high, low, and room temperature
conditions. In addition to low shrinkage, this resin will cure in a thin
film (air promoted).
Astrocure®
3000G
Astrocure®
3000G is a clear, low viscosity resin that will cure between two pieces
of glass with ultra-violet radiation. It is one component (no mixing). Unlike
the three component systems, shop temperatures do not affect initiation or
cure of the resin. Gel time, or the time at which the liquid resin turns
from a liquid to a solid, does not occur until exposure to ultra-violet radiation
(patent pending).
Applications
of this product include all those stated with Astrocure® 1000G
(10G).
Astrocure®
5000G
Low shrinkage
and non-etching properties with polycarbonate and a variety of other plastic
castings and films are the main advantages versus the other previously mentioned
products.
Applications
include lamination of patterned glass, slump glass and fabrication of bullet
resistant laminates based on glass, polycarbonate, acrylic, polyester and
PVC films and castings (patent protected).
The
Astrocure® 5000G system is a three component mix.
Glass Additives
Astrocure®
C-88
Resin activator for three component
systems.
Astrocure®
P-88
Glass adhesion promoter for three
component systems.
Astrocure®
P-97
Plastic adhesion promoter three
component systems.
Dyes
and Tints
These liquid Dyes and Tints
are designed to be used in three component systems for imparting clear colors
in glass laminates. Levels vary from 1-3% by resin weight.
·
AstroRed 10 – fire engine red
·
AstroRed 11 – purple red
·
AstroBlue 10 – turquoise blue
·
AstroBlue 11 – deep dark blue
·
Astroyellow 10 – canary yellow
·
AstroYellow 11 – mustard yellow
·
AstroOrange 10 – orange
·
AstroGreen 10 – kelly green
·
AstroGreen 11 - hunter green
All dyes and tints are colorfast.
Pigments
These pastes are designed to be
used with three component systems for imparting opaque color to glass laminates.
Levels vary from 1-3 % by resin weight.
·
AstroRed Opaque
·
AstroBlue Opaque
·
AstroYellow Opaque
·
AstroGreen Opaque
·
AstroWhite Opaque
·
AstroBlack Opaque
·
AstroBrown Opaque
Pearlescent
Fillers
These solids, when added to a three
component resin system, give a decorative reflective appearance. Depending
on levels, the effects can be translucent or opaque.
·
AstroGlimmer Gold
·
AstroGlimmer Red-Brown
·
AstroRed-Brown
·
AstroSatin Blue
·
AstroPearl
·
AstroSatin
·
AstroGlimmer Bronze
·
AstroGlimmer Green
·
AstroGlimmer Blue
·
AstroGlimmer Red
Etch-N_Seal
Etch-N-Seal are liquid resinous
products that are designed to seal etched glass against finger prints, dirt,
etc.
·
Etch-N-Seal 1 simply seals the etched glass with a minimum
change in cosmetics.
·
Etch-N-Seal 10 seals etched glass and allows the use
of the Zircon liquid lamination process for converting etched glass into impact
glass without change in cosmetics. A variety of colors can be added to Etch-N-Seal
to highlight the etched surface.
Cleaners
·
Astroclean I –
Industrial cleaner
·
Astroclean II – Industrial cleaner concentrate.
Mixing
Equipment
·
Astromix 1000 – Low cost mixing system for three component
resin systems
·
Astromix 2000 – High capacity mixing system
Starter
Kit
·
5 gallons of Glass Lamination Resin
·
8 ounces of Adhesion Promoter
·
8 ounces of Activator
·
Large Pitcher
·
Small Pitcher
·
2 Graduated Dispensers
·
Mixing Spoon
·
1 roll 30 mils double sided ¼” tape (Norton)
·
1 roll 60 mils double sided ¼” tape (Norton)
·
1 roll 40 mils clear double sided tape (3M)
·
1 roll of 30 mils double sided 1/8” tape (Capital)
·
Baggies
·
Clear Tubing
·
2 Squeegees
·
Razor & Dispenser
·
Scissors
·
Syringe and 3 needles
·
Putty
·
Astroclean
·
Video/Packet
·
Spatula
I. Double Glass – Shown
on video upon request.
Two pieces of glass are held
together with double-sided tape as a diking system. Activated resin is
introduced, at an angle between the glass. Air is removed by placing the
composite in a horizontal position. After sealing all sides, the laminate
is allowed to cure overnight (10-12 hours). The finished product is ready
for shipment.
II.
Single Glass – High Production.
A continuous line is set up to
make a piece of laminated glass every 1 ½ - 2 minutes.
Stage I - Double sided
tape is applied to all four sides of a single piece of cleaned and dried
glass and the protective coating is removed.
Stage II – Activated resin
is introduced at the center of the glass
Stage III – A second piece
of glass is placed in an overlap position to the first and sealed on all
four sides, trapping the resin and air between the two pieces of glass.
Stage IV – Since the tape
is porous, air is removed with a vacuum chamber.
Stage V – After inspection
for any air bubbles, the laminated piece of glass is placed on a rack for
room temperature cure. The product can be shipped the next day.
III.
Multiple Glass – Security
Multiple layers of glass and/or
polycarbonate can be made quickly and easily by applying double sided tape
to 3 sides of each piece of glass and connecting the various pieces in an
overlap position. The three sides are re-enforced with polysulfide seal
to prevent leakage. With the structure on its edge, activated resin is
introduced through the fourth side. Resin goes to the bottom, pushing the
air to the top.
After room temperature cure,
the fourth side is sealed with polysulfide polymer and is ready for shipment.
Safety
·
High Rise Buildings
·
Entrance Doors and Sliding Glass Doors
·
Entrance Building Window
·
Skylight Windows
Security
·
Bullet Resistant Windows
·
Department Store Windows
·
Hurricane Resistant Windows
·
Blast Resistant Windows
·
Automotive Windows
·
Laminated Mirrors
·
Shower Doors
Solar
·
Insulated Windows
·
Solar Glass Panels
Sound Deadening
·
Hotel Windows
·
Airports
·
Plant Windows
·
Automotive Windows
Decorative
·
Crackle (Ice) Glass – Furniture
·
Colored Glass – Clear and Opaque
·
Patterned Glass
·
Etched Glass
·
Slump Glass
·
Other
Capital Expenditures
Using the double glass process,
no autoclav, ultra-violet curing ovens or heat ovens are required. Capital
expenditures are at a minimum. Although a glass washer is recommended, the
float glass can be cleaned by hand. Only equipment to cut glass to size and
a tilt table are required. Ten to fifteen pieces of insulated glass per day
can be made using this method. This method is designed for specialty glass
production.
If major quantities of laminated
glass re to be manufactured (2-5 million sq. ft./yr.), the Single Glass Method
is recommended. This process is highly automated and requires special equipment.
Curing racks, warehouse space and a one day inventory is required for this
process. Estimated cost is ½ million dollars/per line.
For Security Glass Application,
the multiple glass procedure is recommended. See Multiple GlassProcess.
Energy Dependence
No heat, light or pressure is required
with the Cold Cure Liquid Glass Lamination Process. Only the ability to mix
and place said mix between glass is necessary. The cold cure aspect of this
process makes it easy to laminate mirrors, film, plastic castings, wood, metal
parts, and marble.
Labor Dependence
With the Double Glass Method, a
single worker can produce ten to fifteen pieces of laminated glass per day.
This assumes that glass cutting equipment, glass cleaning equipment, a tilt
table, and adequate mixing equipment is available. If a single worker were
making exclusively, 8 ft. by 4 ft. pieces of laminated glass, the monthly
production would be 6,400 to 9,600 sq. ft. (2.7-4.0 drums of liquid resin).
1 man hour (assuming
a 6 hour day)
= (6,400
sq. ft.) 320 sq. ft./day = 53.3 sq. ft./hr. (1.67 pieces)
or (9,600
sq. ft.) 480 sq. ft./day =80.0 sq. ft./hr (2.5 pieces)
With the Single Glass Method (High
Production), three to four laborers would be needed to man the line. A piece
of glass is made every 1 ½-2 minutes by this method. One line and one shift
could produce 1.38-1.80 million ft./year with a 6 hour day.
1 man hour (assuming
a 6 hr. day)
= 1,280
sq. ft./day/4 workers = 320 sq. ft./ man hour
Response Time
Specialty and difficult to make
glass laminates can easily be fabricated and installed the following day.
Response time is a major advantage of the Zircon Cold Cure Liquid Glass Lamination
Process.
Installation Yields
and Inventory
Normally, a local glass shop will
purchase a small billet (1,250 sq. ft.) or a large billet (2,400 sq. ft.)
from a distributor. This material represents a sizable inventory. When orders
are places, the single piece of laminated glass must be cut to size (not an
easy procedure). A certain loss is incurred, depending on the size to be
cut. With the Zircon liquid system, a laminated piece of glass can be made
to size and can be installed the next day. If necessary, the laminated glass
can be easily cut.
In addition to carrying a heavy
glass inventory, one size fits all. When purchasing a billet of glass it is
either 1/8” x 1/8”, ¼” x ¼”, or ½” x ½” thick. With the Zircon cold cure
process, a variety of glass laminate thicknesses can easily be done.
Versatility
With the Zircon Cold Cure Liquid
Glass Lamination Process, the glass fabrication uses a fluid liquid resin.
Liquids seek their own level, enabling the manufacture of bent glass, glass
structures that are irregular in surface (tempered glass), and decorative
glass that may vary in thickness. Tints, fillers and pigments can be incorporated
into the resin mix. Lamination is not restricted to glass. Films, plastic
sheets, wood, and metal substrates can be laminated to float glass. The system
is so versatile that applicators are only restricted by lack of imagination.
NEW PRODUCTS:
Astrocure® 1010G
This product is similar to Astrocure®
1000G (10G), except no adhesion promoter needs to be added. Only
the activator is added at 1% of resin weight. Dispensing equipment for
said product is less expensive and more reliable.
Pricing upon request.
DEVELOPMENTAL PRODUCTS:
Dade County Approved Glass
Laminate
The laminate passes impact testing
at ¼” total thickness and is completely clear (no haze). The process is
a cold cure liquid process that is capable of producing 10,000 sq. ft. in
a single day’s production.
Fire Rated Cold Cure Liquid Lamination
System
Testing is in progress on a fire
rated glass lamination system.
|