Overflow downdraw method
Encyclopedia
The overflow downdraw method or fusion method is a technique for producing flat glass
. The key advantage of this technique as compared to the float glass process
is the pristine surfaces, not touched by molten tin
. The technique is used for the production of flat panel display
glass by the companies Corning, Samsung Corning Precision Glass
, Nippon Electric Glass Co. Ltd. (NEG) and various other companies operating in the field of display glass and other types of thin glass.
The fusion method was originally conceived by Corning in the 60's as a method for manufacturing automotive windshields. Shelved for years, the technology was reintroduced to supply the flat screen display market.
Flat glass
Flat glass, sheet glass, or plate glass is a type of glass, initially produced in plane form, commonly used for windows, glass doors, transparent walls, and windshields. For modern architectural and automotive applications, the flat glass is sometimes bent after production of the plane sheet...
. The key advantage of this technique as compared to the float glass process
Float glass
Float glass is a sheet of glass made by floating molten glass on a bed of molten metal, typically tin, although lead and various low melting point alloys were used in the past. This method gives the sheet uniform thickness and very flat surfaces. Modern windows are made from float glass...
is the pristine surfaces, not touched by molten tin
Tin
Tin is a chemical element with the symbol Sn and atomic number 50. It is a main group metal in group 14 of the periodic table. Tin shows chemical similarity to both neighboring group 14 elements, germanium and lead and has two possible oxidation states, +2 and the slightly more stable +4...
. The technique is used for the production of flat panel display
Flat panel display
Flat panel displays encompass a growing number of electronic visual display technologies. They are far lighter and thinner than traditional television sets and video displays that use cathode ray tubes , and are usually less than thick...
glass by the companies Corning, Samsung Corning Precision Glass
Samsung Corning Precision Glass
Samsung Corning Precision Glass produces optimizing materials for the electronics industry and glass substrates that are a critical part of TFT-LCDs in Korea.- History :...
, Nippon Electric Glass Co. Ltd. (NEG) and various other companies operating in the field of display glass and other types of thin glass.
The fusion method was originally conceived by Corning in the 60's as a method for manufacturing automotive windshields. Shelved for years, the technology was reintroduced to supply the flat screen display market.