How is the pattern on the glass created?
Glass is a kind of transparent solid, which main component is quartz
(Silicon Dioxide). The special characteristics of glass is its transparency,
it is widely used as window glass, optical instrument glass, and various
chemical containers and household containers. Glass is not afraid of
hydrochloric acid, sulfuric acid, nitric acid and even aqua regia, only caustic
soda can slightly corrode a layer of glass epidermis. So we need to find a chemical
that can “gnaw” the glass if we want to carve patterns on glass.
Hydrofluoric acid is exactly the chemical that can “gnaw” the glass, it is the
good helper for people to carve patterns on glass. Apply evenly with a dense
paraffin layer on the surface of glass, then use tools drawing patterns on the
paraffin layer, the glass of the carved part should be revealed. The next step
is applying appropriate amount of hydrofluoric acid on the surface that without
paraffin, when the hydrofluoric acid meets the exposed glass, the glass then
will be gnawed off a layer. Last, remove the paraffin and you will see various
patterns on the glassware.
What is hydrofluoric acid? Hydrofluoric acid is the water solution of hydrogen
fluoride gas, colorless, transparent to yellowish smokedliquid, has a pungent
odor. Hydrofluoric acid is extremely corrosive, and it can react with most metals
and non-metals. In addition, hydrofluoric acid is highly corrosive to compounds
of silicon. Hydrofluoric acid solution obtained by dissolving hydrogen fluoride
gas in water can be used to carve glass, because hydrofluoric acid can react with
silica, the main component of glass, while other strong acids cannot, and a
1.5% mass concentration of hydrofluoric acid solution can corrode glass for carving purposes.
Hydrofluoric acid is widely used in industry, mainly used in producing carbon-fluorine
industrial products, such as the refrigeration freon that used in refrigerators and air
conditioners. Because of its ability to dissolve oxides, hydrofluoric acid plays an
important role in the purification of aluminum and uranium. Hydrofluoric acid
is also used to clean residual sand on castings, control fermentation, electropolishing,
and clean corroded semiconductor silicon wafers. In industrial refineries, hydrofluoric
acid is used as a catalyst to catalyze the alkylation of isobutane and butane.
Hydrofluoric acid is also used to remove oxygenated impurities from the surface
of stainless steel, as shown in the "acid dip" process.
Foshan Nanhai Shuangfu Chemicals Co., Ltd is one of the manufacturers of manufacturing
high quality hydrofluoric acid with reasonable price. We are a professional team that
provide you not only high quality products, but also satisfied service and make sure the good
can be delivered in time.
