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New Possibilities for Float Glass
By fully utilizing its diversified glass forming technologies unparalleled by other companies, NEG responds to market needs by turning molten glass into sheets, pressed products, tubing, fibers, and other required shapes in various sizes. Particularly in the field of glass sheets, manufacturing is conducted using the best forming techniques—processes such as overflow, float, and rolling are selected depending on product usage and specifications. Some of the expanding opportunities presented by new products produced using the float process will be discussed below.
In spring 2011, NEG entered two markets with new products produced using the float process: glass substrates for solar cells and specialty glass for chemical strengthening used as cover glass of smartphones and other mobile devices. The demand for these two products is expected to grow rapidly. The potential applications of the float process in manufacturing will be expanded with the addition of new products to the existing lineup of glass substrates for plasma display panels (PDPs), all of which together serve to enhance profitability and contribute to corporate growth.
Glass Substrates for Solar Cells＜SS-8＞
Among all the glass components used for solar cells, NEG has focused on glass substrates, which can offer more advanced functions and higher added value. To this end, NEG has started mass-production and sales of SS-8 glass substrates for chemical compound solar cells. Chemical compound solar cells are new, and they generate power by efficiently absorbing light through thin films of chemical compounds formed on glass substrates. Our SS-8 possesses superior functions, including high strain point properties, which prevent thermal deformation from taking place during thermal processing. They also offer a high degree of surface precision, which is suitable for forming thin films.
Specialty Glass for Chemical Strengthening＜
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NEG has commenced mass-production of CX-01 specialty glass for chemical strengthening. This glass is used as cover glass for mobile devices such as smartphones and tablet PCs, which are rapidly growing in demand. Conventional cover glass is made from strengthened soda-lime glass used for windowpanes. CX-01 has been developed exclusively for use as strengthened glass, and it possesses high durability and superior scratch resistance in comparison with conventional products. This makes it an optimal cover glass for protecting the touch screen panels of mobile devices from scratches and impact shocks. The glass is strengthened by the chemical strengthening method. When glass containing sodium ions (Na+) is soaked in a potassium nitrate (KNO3) solution containing potassium ions (K+), an ion exchange occurs in which Na+ in the surface layer of the glass is exchanged with K+, which has a larger ion radius. This will generate high compressive stress* in the surface layer of the glass. This process makes CX-01 so strong that it does not shatter even when smashed with a hammer.
*Compressive stress can be understood as follows. When Na+ in the surface layer of a piece of glass is replaced with K+ (which has a larger ion radius), the surface layer tends to expand in volume, although the total volume of the piece of glass remains unchanged. As a result, compression is generated in the surface layer. This compressive stress can be used to offset tensile stress, which causes cracks to widen, thereby hindering the development of cracks and enhancing the glass strength.
