The Art and Science of Glass-Lining
Fabrication of glass-lined vessels and components
The excellent chemical resistance of Estrella glass allows a wide range of applications. The smooth, hard surface of the glass facilitates cleaning and is highly resistant to abrasive mediums.
Estrella glass is the result of years of experience and ingenious know-how regarding glass chemistry and application techniques, material selection and construction details, as well as sophisticated firing technology.
Glass (enamel) production
Estrella strictly controls all phases of preparing its proprietary glass frits.
From milling the frit in a ceramic ball mill, to adding set up salts and water, followed by final filtration, we obtain a slurry ready for application to the steel.
Steel construction
Steel parts, suitable for glass lining, have to be specifically designed and manufactured:
- Uniform thicknesses must be used to avoid stresses during firing process of glass lining.
- Oversized wall thickness of vessels are used to pass several heat treatments at 800°C without undesirable deformations.
- Selection of raw materials under consideration of chemical composition.
- Welding procedures and specifications have to be strictly considered.
- Condition for a perfect glass lining is an absolutely perfect steel fabrication, including welds without any defect.
Application of the glass-lining
The glass lining is the result of multiple application and firing operations after which the final product has been completely fused into one durable piece.
The first layers (1 to 2) are made of ground enamel which has specific chemistry to ensure the attachment of the lining on the steel.
The next layers (3 to 6) are made of cover enamel, this is the primary acid / alkali resistant enamel.
The total lining thickness according DIN EN 287121 should be 1.0 to 2.2mm for vessels and 0.8 to 2.0mm for piping.