Sandblasting Soda-Lime Glass – Soda-Lime Glass (CTE 9.0 x 10^-6 /K, 360 nm – 2.0 um); Sandblasting to mask registration +/-0.1 mm. No minimum order; DFM review included with every RFQ.
The combination of Soda-Lime Glass and Sandblasting comes up constantly in RFQs for a reason – the material offers temperable for 4-5x strength, and Sandblasting is the right way to get accurate geometry into it. Expect mask registration +/-0.1 mm and uniform matte, gloss 4 – 8 GU.
The numbers
| Material | Soda-Lime Glass (Float per ASTM C1036, low-iron option) |
|---|---|
| Thermal expansion (CTE) | 9.0 x 10^-6 /K |
| Service temperature | 350 C continuous |
| Transmission range | 360 nm – 2.0 um |
| Density | 2.50 g/cm3 |
| Knoop hardness | 585 kg/mm2 |
| Refractive index | 1.52 @ 587 nm |
| Stock thickness | 0.40 – 19 mm |
| Maximum blank size | 1,000 x 800 mm |
| Process | Sandblasting |
| Working tolerance | mask registration +/-0.1 mm |
| Minimum feature | 1 mm masked window |
| Surface finish | uniform matte, gloss 4 – 8 GU |
| Thickness window | 0.7 – 25 mm |
| Edge condition | not applicable |
| RFQ inputs | PDF/DXF/STEP drawing, quantity brackets, surface and edge spec |
Getting the drawing right
Before sending the RFQ, check these against your drawing:
- Material note: higher CTE means edge chips propagate under thermal load, so edge finishing quality drives reliability.
- Process boundary: blasted faces lose roughly 30% bend strength; safety-critical faces get a post-etch.
- Over-specification is the quiet budget killer: a 20/10 scratch-dig face costs roughly three times an 80/50 face, so grade each surface individually.
For the complete framework, see the tolerance design guide and the holes and edges design guide.
Manufacturing capability
The core strength of Sandblasting is uniform diffusing texture and masked logos or windows at panel scale. The honest limit: blasted faces lose roughly 30% bend strength; safety-critical faces get a post-etch. Both belong on the drawing before quoting, not after.
One material, many routes: on Soda-Lime Glass we also quote cnc machining, laser cutting, dicing, drilling, and multi-step drawings are the norm rather than the exception.
Where these parts end up
The recurring buyers of sandblasting soda-lime glass: led packaging (groove covers, phosphor carriers, package windows); industrial displays (touch covers, gauge windows, printed bezels). Background reading on the underlying material science: ASTM C1036 flat glass standard.
Dimensions still moving? Configure this part live in the 3D builder below, or open the full custom glass machining 3D builder to start from a blank canvas.
For adjacent specifications, see glass sandblasting, ultra-thin glass materials, tolerance design guide.
Frequently asked questions
What tolerances are achievable on Soda-Lime Glass parts?
Ground features hold +/-0.01 mm and lapped thickness reaches +/-0.003 mm. Higher CTE means edge chips propagate under thermal load, so edge finishing quality drives reliability.
What thickness range do you stock for Soda-Lime Glass?
Standard stock spans 0.40 – 19 mm, with blanks up to 1,000 x 800 mm. Other formats are sourced per order.
How does Soda-Lime Glass behave under heat?
CTE is 9.0 x 10^-6 /K and continuous service reaches 350 C continuous, which is what drives its use where lowest cost per square meter matters.
What accuracy does sandblasting hold?
Mask registration +/-0.1 mm with minimum features of 1 mm masked window. Blasted faces lose roughly 30% bend strength; safety-critical faces get a post-etch.
Specifications on this page were last reviewed by our engineering team in July 2026.