Japan“s New Glass Forum has developed a technique for strengthening glass that can be applied even to thin sheets such as those used for LCD substrates.
The process involves subjecting the glass to …
Japan“s New Glass Forum has developed a technique for strengthening glass that can be applied even to thin sheets such as those used for LCD substrates. The process involves subjecting the glass to light from a femtosecond laser that has been passed through a special lens. The process forms a so-called heterogeneous phase inside the glass that serves to halt the propagation of cracks. Glass is typically strengthened by tempering, but this cannot be applied to sheets thinner than around 5mm. According to studies by the New Glass Forum, the new laser-processing technique can increase the strength of a 1mm-thick sheet of glass by as much as 180%. The process only takes several seconds and it can handle glass sheets as thin as 0.5mm. The New Glass Forum was set up in 1985 and now has 42 official members, including makers of electric machinery in addition to founding firms like Asahi Glass and Nippon Sheet Glass. Top of the Forum“s major objectives is to “encourage high-tech glass (so-called new glass) industries and related businesses through information exchange and human contacts”, according to the official website. The plan is to continue with development of the new technology as a Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry-supported R&D project in order to involve more companies in the effort to improve the technology and develop ways to ensure consistent quality. The goal is to have a practical technology ready in two or three years for use by member companies.