Engineering Stain Resistant Glass

The first step in engineering high quality stain resistant glass surfaces involves microlapping to remove all mineral and organic deposits. The windows might be covered with mineral deposits from concrete efflorescence, or ground water from sprinkler heads. Either way it must be removed. The best polish is one based on an average particle size of aproximately four microns. This is the average size of the surface pores of commercial glass. What is interesting is that minerals in water are actually particles of the same size or smaller. So they fit very snugly into these micropores. So before and after we are left with a surface of about this degree of roughness. Usually the surface is even more rough after microlapping. Which means that it is more prone to the reformation of hard water deposits. Then when they return they will stick even better. Althoug I don't think you could call that better. Any hydrophobic sealant/protectant applied at this point will definitely help to keep such hard water spots from sticking really good next time around. Although once the polymer has been degrade by the ultraviolet radiation of the sun, these micropores still have their mouths open wide to accept more mineral deposits. So stick again they will. In theory, if we were to nanolap after microlapping, then seal with a protectant, we should attain a much more stain resistant surface. The glass will be naturally stain resistant owing to the fact that it will not have any gaping holes waiting to get hold of any little pieces of rock. Also it will have a hydrophobic polymer surface to push away any mineral laden hard water. Such a hydrophobic surface will also help to keep the new nanosurface from undergoing the weathering process. This is a natural stage two dynamic etch that happens to all glass surfaces over time that are exposed to acid rain. I am currently working on a product based on a dispersion of nanocrystalline cerium particles imersed in water with an organofluorosilane sealant. So that we can nanolap and seal simultaneously. This might be a little tricky for most to formulate on site, so I will be looking for manufacturers to work with me in bringing it to market. Any takers?

Henry Grover Jr.
Glass Tech Consulting
gtcnews@hotmail.com