Part 10

It is much to be desired that amateurs who can draw, and who have a feeling for this particular style of art, should devote a portion of their time to its execution. They will find it to be extremely agreeable and pleasant, and the few difficulties which they meet with in their first attempts will be readily overcome by perseverance, or by applying for assistance and advice to gentlemen engaged in the pursuit of this interesting profession.

_Moulded and Cut Glass._--Flint glass is now very commonly blown in moulds, and this art has been brought to such perfection that moulded decanters and tumblers have an appearance very similar to that of cut glass. The moulds are always made of metal, and so constructed, that they open out into two or more pieces, which are generally hinged to the bottom of the mould. The workman places it on the ground, and fixes it by standing on projections from its side. He then gathers a suitable quantity of glass on the end of his blowpipe, which he places in the mould, and the side of the glass touching it will thus have impressed upon it whatever form is engraved on it. After the glass has become hard, the mould is opened, and the glass vessel is removed and annealed.

When it is desired to cut a design on the outside of a tumbler or wine-glass, the vessel is, in the first instance, blown of a thicker substance than if it is to be left uncut. The necessary shapes, which are usually in facets, are cut upon it by the action of sand and water, a lathe of a very simple construction being used to give a rotary motion to cutting discs, made of stone and kept continually moist by water dripping on them, so that when the glass is pressed against them, the required portion of its surface is worn away. The usual diameter of these stones is about 10 inches. After the rougher stone has been used, a finer kind of sandstone disc is employed, or a disc of slate, upon which sand and water are allowed to drop, and the already roughly cut surface is, by their action, partly polished. Copper discs with flattened circumference are used for polishing the glass, and for this purpose, emery mixed with oil, is applied to the edges of their circumference.

_Ground Glass_ is made by rubbing the surface of glass with sand and water, just as in the first operation of plate glass polishing. But a very ingenious method is now generally adopted for grinding glass, by placing it in a cradle, so that it can swing from side to side; sand and water are placed upon the glass, and it grinds itself, so to speak, by this operation.

_Annealing and Devitrification._--As the word "annealing" has been often used in this article, it will be well to explain what is its action. If a piece of molten glass be dropped into water, it will assume an oblong shape, the lower end of which will be round, while the other will taper off into a fine point. These drops, which have received the name of Prince Rupert's drops, look like pieces of ordinary glass, and if the small end of one of them be broken off, a sort of explosion takes place, and the whole mass flies into a thousand minute pieces, some of which will be found to have been driven to a considerable distance. Here then it appears, that when the skin, which is perfect and entire in the Rupert drop, is broken, the bond which held together the constituent particles is broken also, and so they are acted on by a repellent force, and fly away from one another. If hot water be poured into a thick common tumbler, it very generally cracks it: but if the tumbler be thin and of better manufacture, it will bear almost boiling water without cracking. In the first case it has been badly annealed; and besides this, glass being a bad conductor of heat, from its thickness, the heat imparted by the hot water expands the inner surface, while the outer coating, not being warmed, does not expand, and, retaining its original form, is burst. If, however, a tumbler be thick and properly annealed, there is not so much danger of its breaking, when a portion of it is exposed to a considerable rise of temperature. In the case of the Rupert drops, they are not annealed at all, and so there is no cohesive bond between the particles, such as there would be if they were properly annealed, that is, if, instead of being cooled suddenly from the molten state, they were allowed to cool in a heated chamber very slowly. After glass has been heated, the particles of which it is composed take a long time to rearrange themselves, so that in the manufacture of thermometers, it is necessary, after sealing up the bulb and tube which contain the mercury, to allow them to remain for a long time; otherwise the pressure of the air on the outside of the bulb, not being supported by any air on the inside, causes the particles of glass to become more compact, and thus renders the capacity of the thermometer bulb and tube smaller than it was, when the thermometer was first sealed. It seems that the process of annealing glass gives time for the particles to arrange themselves in such a way, that when the glass is cold, it will not be so liable to fracture from sudden changes of temperature.

Considerable curiosity has been excited of late by a new invention, which has resulted from the investigations of a Frenchman. We have been told that tumblers and wine-glasses, and other glass utensils, could be so treated that they would never break; and experiments performed upon many samples of these glasses led one to suppose, that the object had been attained. There is no doubt whatever, that some who have had experience of what is termed toughened glass know, that in many cases very uncertain results are obtained in the resisting power of the glass to the action of a violent blow. Before, however, entering into some researches which I have made on the subject, it will be well to state what is the nature of the change which the toughening process produces in the glass, and this seems to be a fit place for this consideration, as the method of making, and the behaviour, of Prince Rupert's drops, have just been discussed.

The physical properties of these Rupert's drops have been examined with great care by M. Victor de Luynes, and the results of his experiments have been communicated to the _Société de Secours des Amis des Sciences_. For the purposes of this article, many of his experiments have been repeated, confirming in general his observations, and others have also been instituted. The toughness and hardness of these drops are remarkable; the thick pear-shaped portion will bear a sharp stroke with a hammer without breaking; nor can it be scratched with a diamond. To break the tapering thread or tail, as it may be conveniently called, requires considerable force. To find out what weight was required to do this, a series of experiments was performed, the results of which are given in the table following. The tail of a drop was placed over a small hole bored in the top of a table; a hook was then adjusted round a part of the tail which measured 19 on a Birmingham wire gauge; below the table and attached to this hook, a scale-pan was hung. This pan was then carefully loaded, all shock being avoided, until the thread was ruptured and the weight required to effect this was then noted:

White Glass Rupert's Drops.

Gauge. Strain. 19 16 lb. 0 oz. 19 15-1/2 " 0 " 19 16 " 0 " 19 (poor) 9-1/4 " 0 "

Green Glass.

Gauge. Strain. 19 18-3/4 " 0 " 19 (poor) 9 " 0 " 19 28 " 6 " 16 26-1/4 " 0 "

It will be observed that the drops made from green bottle glass withstood a greater strain than those made from crown glass; the latter, in fact, did not break throughout their mass, but left a portion of the bulb unbroken, showing some fault in the tempering. It was with difficulty that the workmen could be induced to make drops out of this kind of glass, as they knew by experience that they usually failed to break perfectly, and they stated that it was quite impossible to make them with lead glass. To ascertain what force was required to fracture a thread of like dimensions that had not been tempered, one of the drops was heated to redness, and annealed by allowing it to cool very gradually. When subjected to the same trial, it was fractured by a weight of 12 ozs., and the drop did not break into small fragments, but behaved exactly like ordinary glass, thus showing that the glass had been _un_tempered by the heating process. A piece of glass rod, drawn out into a thread in a gas flame, when subjected to the same conditions, bore a strain of 10 oz. A sewing-needle of the same thickness was broken by a weight of 3 lb. 14 oz., thus showing that the tail of the Rupert's drop was very much tougher than tempered steel. By suspending a Rupert's drop in such a manner as to allow the tail to dip into hydrofluoric acid, it is found, that when the surface or skin is eaten away to a certain depth, rupture takes place exactly in the same manner as when the tail is broken. In whatever way fractured, the particles, when examined by the microscope, show a crystalline structure, and do not at all resemble pieces of ordinary glass; when rubbed between the palms of the hands, they do not cut, nor scratch, nor penetrate the cuticle. If a drop be enclosed in plaster of Paris so as to leave a portion of the tail exposed, it may then be broken and all the particles will remain _in situ_. On removing the plaster, it will be found that the drop has been broken up into thousands of minute needle-shaped particles arranged in cones, the apices being in the direction of the tail. It would appear then from these experiments, and from observations with polarized light, that the glass in the interior of a Rupert's drop exists under enormous tension, and that it is only prevented from bursting into fragments by the outer skin; on its being broken in any part, the bond which holds together the constituent particles is broken also, and so, being acted upon by a repellent force, they fly away from one another. There is another kind of toy resembling in some respects the Rupert's drop, known as the Bologna bottle or philosopher's flask. It has the form of a soda-water bottle with the neck cut off, the bottom being rounded off and very much thicker than the walls. These flasks are sometimes formed accidentally in glass-works by the workman, who, in order to examine the quality of the glass, takes out a portion from the pot on the end of his blowpipe, and blows a small quantity of air into the mass, manipulating it in the usual manner. Whilst still at a very high temperature, it is detached from the blowpipe, and is probably allowed to fall on the ground in a place where there is a current of cold air, the exterior thus becoming suddenly chilled. When cold, these flasks will bear very rough handling, and will withstand the blow of a hammer on the outside, it being almost impossible to break them by striking the bottom; the interior will also bear the blow of a leaden bullet falling into it from a considerable height, but if a few grains of sand be allowed to fall into it, or if the inside skin be slightly scratched, the mass splits into fragments in the same manner as a Rupert's drop. The examination of these curious phenomena leads us to the subject of "toughened glass," as it has been termed. The invention of rendering articles of glass less fragile, which has given rise to so much public attention during the last year, is due to M. Alfred de la Bastie, a French engineer. His process consists in heating the glass to be toughened to a temperature close upon its softening point, and then plunging it into a bath of oil, or into a mixture of oleaginous substances kept at a much lower temperature. When this operation is successfully performed, the glass acquires properties very similar to those of Rupert's drops; it becomes much less fragile than ordinary glass, but when sufficient force is employed to fracture it, the whole flies into small pieces. It cannot be cut with a diamond, but is immediately disintegrated when the outer skin is scratched to a certain depth.

It is to be observed, however, that in particular cases it is possible both to saw and pierce the toughened glass. M. de Luynes reports, that when a square of St. Gobain plate glass that had been submitted to the process of tempering was examined by polarized light, it showed the appearance of a black cross, the arms of which were parallel to the sides of the square. The glass was sawed in two, along the line of the stem of the cross, without causing fracture. On examining the divided glass with polarized light, black bands and fringes of colour were observed, which, by their position, proved that the molecular condition of the glass had changed; on placing one half of the divided glass on the other half, the fringes and black bands disappeared--on folding one half on to the other, the black bands presented the appearance that would have been produced by glass of double the thickness. These facts show, that the molecular forces on the glass were arranged symmetrically in reference to the line of parting: and we may conclude that toughened glass being in a state of tension, similar to that of the Rupert drop, may be divided or pierced, provided that the molecules of the pieces produced are able to rearrange themselves into a stable equilibrium. Polarized light shows the directions on which the division can be made with safety.

M. de Luynes, in his communication referred to above, gives an account of some experiments performed on plates of glass of the same quality, tempered by this process, and untempered; one or two examples will suffice. A tempered plate measuring about[1] 6-1/2 inches by 5 inches, and 2/10 inch thick, was placed between two wooden frames, and a weight of over 3-1/2 ounces (100 grammes[2]) was allowed to drop upon it from a height of more than 13 feet (4 mètres[3]) without breaking it. It only broke, when double the weight was employed from the same height. A piece of ordinary glass under the same conditions broke, with the weight of 3-1/2 oz. dropped upon it from a height 16 inches (0·40 mètre). Plates of toughened glass were allowed to fall on the floor from a height, or were thrown to a distance, without breaking. A rectangular piece of ordinary window glass, about 1/10 inch in thickness, was bent into the form of a bridge, and then subjected to the tempering process; placed upon the ground; it bore the weight of a man easily without breaking. A commission, instituted by the French naval authorities, to inquire into this process of M. de la Bastie, has reported at some length on the subject. The following series of experiments were tried with a view of ascertaining the comparative power of resistance of tempered and ordinary glass. The plates experimented upon were placed loosely in wooden frames constructed for the purpose.

[1] These numbers are approximate translations of the numbers given in the communication: no object could be gained in giving complex fractions.

[2] 1 ounce avoirdupois weighs 28·349 grammes.

[3] 1 mètre equals 39·37 English inches.

_Rectangular plates about 21 inches_ (0·525 m.) _by 10 inches_ (0·248 m.) _and 1/6 inch_ (0·004 m.) _thick_.

The frame with the glass inserted was laid on the ground, and in the middle of the plate a weight of more than 10 lbs. (5 kilogrammes[4]) was placed, and upon it as a base, other weights were placed, care being taken to avoid all shock.

[4] 1 kilogramme = 2·2 lbs. avoirdupois.

1º _Ordinary glass_, broke with a weight of about 70 lb. (35 kilos.) having resisted weights of from 30 to 50 lb.

2º _Toughened glass_ resisted fracture until a weight of more than 510 lb. (255 kilos.) had been added, and then was not broken. The experiment was not carried to its limit for want of weights.

_Rectangular plates, about 13 inches_ (0·325 m.) _by 10 inches_ (0·248 m.) _and 1/5 inch_ (0·005 m.) _thick_.

These plates were allowed to fall flat on to a floor of wood or thrown to a distance and allowed to fall.

1º _Ordinary glass_ allowed to fall flat from a height of 1-2/10 inch (0·03 m.) was broken at the first trial.

2º _Toughened glass._ Thrown to a height 6 feet 6 inches (2 mètres) and to a distance of 13 feet (4 mètres) was also broken at the first trial. The piece, however, which had sustained the weight of 510 lb. did not break till the fourth trial.

_Rectangular plates, about 10 inches_ (0·245 m.) _by 6 inches_ (0·157 m.) _and 1/4 inch_ (0·007 m.) _thick_.

These plates were subjected to the same kind of tests as the foregoing. After raising them to a given height they were allowed to fall flat upon a wooden floor.

1º _Ordinary glass_ raised to a height of 20 inches (0·50 m.) was broken on falling.

2º _Toughened glass_ resisted successive falls of from 20 inches (0·50 m.), 32 inches (0·80 m.), 5 feet (1·50 m.), and 5 feet 7 inches (1·70 m.), but was broken when dropped from a height of 6 feet 6 inches (2·0 m.).

_Rectangular plates about 10 inches_ (0·245 m.) _by 6 inches_ (0·157 m.) _and 1/5 inch_ (0·006 m.) _thick_.

Placed in the frames, they were held in position in the rabbets by laths nailed to the sides so as to prevent any play. The frames were raised to different heights and allowed to fall in such a manner as to cause as much vibration as possible.

1º _Ordinary glass_ was broken with a fall of about 2 feet (0·60 m.).

2º _Toughened glass_ resisted falls from heights of 3 feet 3 inches (1 mètre), 6 feet 6 inches (2 mètres), 8 feet (2·50 m.), 9 feet 9 inches (3 mètres), and 14 feet 6 inches (4·50 m.). It was only broken by a fall of 19 feet 6 inches (6 mètres).

_Rectangular plates 6 inches_ (0·158 m.) _by 4-3/4 inches_ (0·120 m.) _and 1/5 inch_ (0·006 m.) _thick_.

These plates were placed in the frame on the ground, as has been previously explained. Known weights falling from known heights were made to strike the plates exactly in the centre. The weights consisted of bronze spheres, one weighing 3-1/2 oz. (100 grammes) and another of twice that weight.

1st. _Ordinary glass_ resisted the weight of 3-1/2 oz., falling from heights of 8 inches (0·20 m.), 12 inches (0·30 m.), 16 inches (0·40 m.), but was broken by a fall of 20 inches (0·50 m.).

2nd. _Toughened glass_ resisted the blow of the 3-1/2 oz. weight falling from heights of 20 inches (0·50 m.), 40 inches (1 mètre), 60 inches (1·50 m.), and 6 feet 6 inches (2 mètres). The 7 oz. weight (200 grammes) being substituted, the plate was broken by it, falling from a height of 60 inches (1·50 m.).

_Rectangular plates, 6 inches_ (0·158 m.) _by 4-3/4 inches_ (0·120 m.) _and 1/6 inch_ (0·004 m.) _thick_.

The same conditions were maintained as in the previous trial.

1st. _Ordinary glass._ The 3-1/2 oz. weight was allowed to fall from heights of 1 foot (0·30), and 16 inches (0·40 m). It was broken by the second blow.

2nd. _Toughened glass._ This resisted the 7 oz. weight falling from heights of 2 feet 4 inches (0·70 m.), and 2 feet 8 inches (0·80 m.), but broke when the weight fell from 39 inches (1 mètre).

It appears then from these experiments, that toughened glass will resist a blow five times as great as ordinary glass, and will bear seven times as great a weight.

I have now detailed most of the useful experiments which have been made by competent observers upon toughened glass, as well as some which have been conducted in my own laboratory. The result of my own personal investigations I will now lay before the reader. I was consulted some time ago by a gentleman interested in the introduction of toughened glass into this country, as to whether this kind would become untoughened in time. I feel no hesitation in stating that when the process has been perfectly done, the glass will remain in the same state for any length of time, provided it be not treated in any way which is calculated to rupture the external hard bond that holds together the inner particles of the glass. I feel quite sure, that no fear of this kind need interfere with the benefits, whatever they may be, which are to be derived from submitting glass articles to the toughening process.

A tumbler which had been toughened in Monsieur de la Bastie's works, was, in my presence, thrown upon the ground, yet it did not break. It was a large soda water glass. I kept it for some time, and after considering the matter carefully, I felt, that if it were thrown down in such a way that the whole of its side, from base to rim, came in contact with the ground at once, and it then stood this test, it would prove that the whole of the glass was in the condition of the Rupert's Drops, and would therefore bear the concussion without fracture. I held the glass and let it fall, so that it actually reached the hard floor on its side. It immediately broke all to pieces. Now on the first occasion when this glass was thrown down, it was tossed somewhat upwards into the air, and the bottom being heavier reached the ground first, and it did not break. I have also seen in glass-houses, where the tempering process is carried on, tumblers thrown down in a similar manner, and I noticed, that whenever they fell upon their bottoms, they were uninjured, as also in cases where they fell upon their rims in such a manner, that the curve of the rim acted as an arch, as in the old trick of turning a wine-glass off the table so as not to break; but in other cases where the tumblers fell flat upon their sides, fracture followed. I carefully gathered together the pieces of the large tumbler which I broke myself in this manner, and examined them, and found that the solid bottom was broken in the same manner as the Prince Rupert's drops break, viz., into a large number of small pieces, having in all respects similar properties. The glass for an inch or two above the bottom broke into small pieces, but larger than those into which the bottom itself broke, and the upper portion of the tumbler was fractured just as an ordinary tumbler would be. On careful examination, microscopic and otherwise, the small pieces were found to have the character of Prince Rupert's, whereas the larger from the upper part of the glass had none of these characteristics in the slightest degree.

These observations led me to perform an experiment. A toughened tumbler was filled with plaster of Paris, which was allowed to set. Its outside was then encased in plaster of Paris, and when the whole was hardened, a pair of pincers were applied to a portion of the tumbler's rim, and with a violent wrench the tumbler was broken. A rather smart shock was communicated to the arm of the operator, very much resembling, as he said, the shock of an electrifying machine. On removing the plaster of Paris, it was found that the whole of the tumbler was fractured, and, as will be seen by the accompanying illustration, in a manner similar to that which has already been described.

From this and other similar experiments, I was led to the conclusion that none of the toughened articles which have cavities in them, have thoroughly undergone the toughening process.