Soda lime silica container and flat glass compositions have evolved over the years to reach their current form. They are used extensively today because they strike a balance between the often-competing factors of raw material availability, cost, melting and fining characteristics, machine productivity, chemical durability, optical properties and thermal shock resistance. Optimising composition means finding a formulation that, within the lowest cost, meets the properties and characteristics necessary for glass. The composition must be analysed holistically and include cost, product properties, product appearance, manufacturing efficiency, environmental issues, equipment, energy requirements, health and safety, and supply strategy. This article outlines how a multi-disciplinary analysis can help to achieve the optimum formulation of glass.
