From standard clear sheets to low-iron extra-clear glass, select the right substrate for transmission, dimensions, edges and surface requirements, then review fabrication against your drawing.
Soda-lime glass has a silica-based glass network and usually contains sodium and calcium oxides. It is made as clear float sheet; controlling iron content can also produce low-iron extra-clear sheet with a more neutral appearance and higher visible-light transmission. “Soda-lime glass” describes a material family. It does not mean every sheet has the same composition, thickness, spectrum or fabrication tolerances.
Both standard clear and low-iron extra-clear sheets can belong to the soda-lime silicate family. Iron content, forming process, surface treatment and thickness affect optical performance. Low-iron glass can reduce the green appearance at thick-sheet edges and increase visible throughput for windows and covers. This alone does not establish ultraviolet transmission, laser durability or resistance to severe thermal shock.
Review material documentation together with the operating wavelength, thermal environment and mounting method. Imaging, inspection and coating substrates may also require specified wavefront quality, surface figure, roughness and cleanliness. Overall visible transmission does not replace those acceptance criteria.
Typical values from published technical literature; not batch measurements or delivery guarantees from our company
| Glass family | Soda-lime silicate glass; exact composition varies by sheet |
|---|---|
| Density | Approximately 2.50 g/cm³ at ambient temperature |
| Refractive index | Approximately 1.523 at the 589.3 nm sodium D line |
| Linear thermal expansion | Approximately 8.3–9.3 × 10−6 K−1. The published sources use different compositions and temperature ranges; check the selected sheet's test conditions for design. |
| Visible transmission of low-iron extra-clear sheet | See the thickness examples below. Transmission of an uncoated pane changes with thickness, iron content and measurement method. |
| Finished-part geometry and appearance | Specify thickness tolerance, TTV, flatness, surface roughness, scratches and edge chips separately on the drawing. |
Basic properties are drawn from published float-glass technical data. Low-iron transmission examples are from a publicly available Chinese producer's product data. These are preliminary selection references, not a certificate for an unspecified sheet or finished component.
The values below are examples for uncoated single panes of different thicknesses in one published Chinese low-iron float-glass data set. They are neither a guarantee for this page nor a wavelength-resolved spectrum.
Visible-light transmission 91.6%
Visible-light transmission 91.1%
Visible-light transmission 90.6%
Thickness affects integrated transmission. For ultraviolet, near-infrared, filtering or narrowband laser work, request a spectral-transmission curve for the selected sheet at the specified thickness. Visible-light figures cannot establish performance at the operating wavelength.
We assess cutting, edge finishing, surface treatment, cleaning and inspection against the incoming material, dimensions and acceptance plan. Achievable results are confirmed through drawings, samples and process review.
These photographs show glass handling and fabrication forms. An image alone does not establish a component's composition or inspection result.
These are common selection considerations for the material family, not certifications for a particular finished part.
Low-iron extra-clear sheet can be a member of the soda-lime silicate family. Its transmission and edge color depend on iron content, thickness and the specific sheet. Not all soda-lime glass is extra-clear.
No. The 3, 6 and 10 mm values shown here refer only to one published low-iron example. Specify the material, thickness, measurement band and batch documentation for purchasing.
Transparency or visible-light transmission alone is insufficient. Verify transmission and absorption at the operating wavelength, thermal loading, surface quality and safety requirements using data for the selected sheet.
Provide the application, sheet type, dimensions and thickness, quantity, operating wavelength, edge and surface requirements, finished-part drawing and inspection method.
Send your drawing, material requirements and operating conditions. We will review material selection, fabrication and acceptance criteria.
