The Polishing of Glass

JSGT 1956 V40 T513-T519

Several papers have appeared in the German literature in recent years on the subject of the polishing of glass. On the one hand, the present authors have departed from the usual methods by endeavouring to follow up the details of abrasion on the microscopic scale, and to collect material illustrating the phenomena that occur, with the help of the electron microscope (1955–57). This can then be used to give conclusions on various probable or possible processes. On the other hand, A. Kaller (1956) has measured the loss in weight of specimens on polishing and has developed ideas about the polishing process from the chemical viewpoint. A brief summary will be given here of the various studies, with special regard to the later literature. The authors consider this Journal is a particularly suitable place to publish such a summary, since it was the English authors Lord Rayleigh, Beilby, and Preston who gained the distinction of first clarifying the processes of glass polishing which are so important for the optical as well as the glass industry.

E. Bruche & H. Poppa