Production: Imbuing Color During Formation:

The creation of SIG’s body-tinted glass leverages a variation of the float glass manufacturing process. Standard float glass utilizes a molten mixture mainly composed of silica sand, soda ash, and limestone. In body tinted glass production, metal oxides are introduced during the initial batching of raw materials. These metal oxides, typically mixtures of cobalt, nickel, or selenium, are precisely added into the molten mix. As the molten glass spreads and solidifies on the molten tin bath, the metal oxides become homogeneously dispersed throughout the glass matrix. This even distribution ensures consistent coloration throughout the entire glass body. The subsequent stages of the float process, including annealing and cutting, remain largely similar to clear float glass production.

Key Properties and Distinctive Features:

SIG’s body-tinted glass features integral coloration from metal oxides, ensuring consistent, homogenous coloring that avoids issues like peeling or fading common in film-applied tints. It offers solar control by absorbing and reflecting solar energy, enhancing energy efficiency and UV protection. With a wider color palette, architects can creatively incorporate it into designs. This glass maintains uniform color regardless of viewing angle and provides privacy while allowing clear visibility from inside, making it ideal for various applications.

Exterior Cladding: SIG’s body-tinted glass is employed for building facades, curtain walls, and spandrel panels. The intrinsic solar control properties help manage solar heat gain and glare, while the color options offer design flexibility for architects.
Windows and Doors: SIG’s body-tinted glass can be used for windows and doors, particularly in facades facing intense sunlight. It provides occupants with a degree of privacy while maintaining a connection to the outdoors and contributing to a building's overall aesthetic.
Interior Design Elements: Architects and designers incorporate SIG’s body-tinted glass for partitions, railings, and decorative features within buildings. The color options allow for artistic expression and enhance the visual appeal of interior environments.
Automotive Applications: While not as common as clear float glass, SIG’s body-tinted glass finds occasional use in specific automotive applications. It can be utilized in sunroofs or certain car models to achieve a desired aesthetic effect.
In conclusion, SIG’s body-tinted glass integrates color throughout its body and delivers consistent coloration, solar control benefits, and a wider design palette. This mixture of functionality and aesthetics makes body tinted glass a valuable tool for architects, designers, and builders seeking to improve the performance and visual appeal of their projects.