Monday, July 15, 2013

Analyzing Glass Color

The following image is part of a presentation at the Fenton Glass Factory in Ohio.  The image describes the basic ingredients of fabricated glass and lists the chemicals that are needed to produce specific glass colors.  Using this image and the lists of batch chemicals listed below, choose a piece of glass to bring to class and try and determine the chemical makeup of the batch recipe from which your glass may have been derived.  Be prepared to share with the class.


Colors                                                                     Chemicals
Willow Green (Light Green)                                  Copper + Potassium Bichromate
Blue Topaz      (Light Blue)                                    Copper + Powder Blue (Pigment)
Rose Milk        ( Light Pink)                                   Selenium + Erbium Oxide + Neodymium Oxide
Black                                                                       Potassium Bichromate + Cobalt Oxide
Violet               (Light Purple)                                Manganese + Powder Blue (Pigment)
Ruby                 (Red)                                             Cadmium Oxide + Selenium
Sunset              ( Light Orange)                              Selenium
Burmese           (Cream and Brownish)                  Depleted Uranium
Milk                  (White)                                          Fluor


Suppose you have a piece of glass that does not clearly contain one of the major colorants listed.  Using the chart above hypothesize what you believe will be the chemicals contained in the glass.
Be prepared to share with the class.

1 comment:

  1. Great job Wendy in getting students to look at the ingredients of glass. Many students wouldn't believe that glass is made from sand.

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