Thermal Tempering Soda-Lime Glass: Soda-Lime Glass (CTE 9.0 x 10^-6 /K, 360 nm – 2.0 um); surface compression > 69 MPa per ASTM C1048. Single-piece prototypes to production volumes, quoted from your drawing.
Specify thermal tempering soda-lime glass when the bare substrate falls short: full thermal temper, processed by furnace + air quench, >3 mm parts, brings Soda-Lime Glass to surface compression > 69 MPa per ASTM C1048.
Specifications at a glance
| 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 |
| Treatment | Thermal Tempering – full thermal temper |
| Specification | surface compression > 69 MPa per ASTM C1048 |
| Deposition / method | furnace + air quench, >3 mm parts |
| RFQ inputs | PDF/DXF/STEP drawing, quantity brackets, surface and edge spec |
Manufacturing capability
One material, many routes: on Soda-Lime Glass we also quote edge grinding, ultrasonic machining, coring, and multi-step drawings are the norm rather than the exception.
DFM notes from the shop floor
The shop-floor rules that matter here:
- Material note: higher CTE means edge chips propagate under thermal load, so edge finishing quality drives reliability.
- Sequence matters: all machining happens before thermal tempering; post-coating rework is not economical.
- 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.
The full rules live in our tolerance design guide and holes and edges design guide.
Where these parts end up
thermal tempering soda-lime glass shows up across 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 + 2D builder below, or open the full custom glass machining 3D + 2D builder to start from a blank canvas.
Useful companion pages: wafer dicing process, perforated quartz plates, surface quality guide.
Common questions
Is there a minimum order for thermal tempering soda-lime glass?
No. Single prototypes are accepted, and pricing steps down at 10, 100 and 1,000 pieces.
How fast can prototypes ship?
Machined prototypes ship in 5 – 10 working days. Coated or bonded parts add 1 – 2 weeks depending on queue slots.
What files do you need for a quote?
A dimensioned PDF plus DXF or STEP geometry. If only a sketch exists, our drawing review service formalizes it before quoting.
Do parts ship with inspection data?
Dimensional reports, surface certificates and material certs per melt are available; specify the level on the RFQ.
Specifications on this page were last reviewed by our engineering team in September 2026.