Objectives

• Discuss the reasons that dirt on glass causes significant reductions in efficiency
• Show how durable glass surface protection creates real Added Value by maintaining the efficiency of glass
• Show how performance can be restored for glass

A picture is worth a thousand words .......

and answers a fundamental question .......

WHY DOES THE LIGHT TRANSMISSION OF GLASS DROP?

DIRT GETS IN THE WAY!

• GLASS CLEANLINESS IS MOST IMPORTANT - IT DIRECTLY AFFECTS BOTH CLARITY AND EFFICIENCY

• GLASS CLEANLINESS IS DETERMINED BY CLEANABILITY

• GLASS CLEANABILITY DEPENDS ON RESISTANCE TO ADHESION OF DIRT AND OTHER CAUSES OF SURFACE CORROSION

Glass surface corrosion in aggressive environments

 
The Causes of Glass Surface Corrosion

• The two biggest enemies of glass –
- moisture, both liquid and vapour
- alkalinity

• The chemical and physical properties of glass itself

• The Dirt Factor – adhesion of all types of contaminants –
- physically attached and chemically bonded
- organic and inorganic
- acidic, neutral and alkalin

The Chemical and Physical Properties of Ordinary Glass…

• microscopically rough, not smooth
• moisture-attracting
• a good electrical insulator
• chemically reactive
• damaged more easily by alkalinity than acidity
• not hygienic

Two Categories of Glass Contamination and 14 Types of Dirt

• Physically Attached Dirt – can be washed away using conventional methods
1) Organic – substances of biological origin

• Chemically Bonded Dirt – difficult, if not impossible, to wash away using conventional methods.
1) Organic – substances of biological origin
2) Inorganic – substances from mineral or non-biological origins

Physically Attached Dirt
Can be washed away using conventional methods

Organic
Substances of biological origin

Acidic or Neutral
Does not stain/discolour or attack/etch glass

1. Adhesive – oily/greasy substances that cling by their ‘stickiness’, such as body fats in a shower and cooking oil vapours in a kitchen
2. Attracted – dry, non-oily/greasy particles held by electrostatic force, such as hair, lint and fibres
3. Inert – non-sticky, uncharged particles such as sawdust and fine cinders

Chemically Bonded Dirt
Difficult, if not impossible, to wash away using conventional methods

Organic
Substances of biological origin

Acidic
Causes surface staining, but normally does not attack or etch glass

4. Sulphates – from flue, gas, coal burning and vehicle emissions
5. Road film – oily/greasy mixtures of road tar and unburned hydrocarbons from the exhausts of motor vehicles
6. Tree sap and mist (sometimes alkaline, in which case it may attack or etch glass)
7. Bird droppings and insect excretions (sometimes alkaline, in which case it may attack or etch glass)

Inorganic
Substances from mineral or non-biological origins

Acidic
Causes surface staining, but normally does not attack or etch glass

8. Iron oxide from railways, such as rail and brake pad dust
9. Run-off from silicone sealants and siliconelubricated gaskets (sometimes neutral)

Neutral
Causes surface staining, also chemically attacks or etches glass

10.Surface reactive salts (SRSs) formed by neutralisation reactions between acids and alkalis

Alkaline
Causes surface staining, also chemically attacks or etches glass

11.Chlorides from industrial emissions, marine environments and road de-icing products
12.Limescale deposits from hard tap water and seawater
13.Mineral deposits from runoff of buildings made of concrete bricks, mortar and/or stonework
14.Highly alkaline solutions such as industrial cleaning products

Damage by Physical Abrasion

Man-made
- Incorrect handling during transport, storage, installation and use
- Use of abrasive cleaning products and methods

Natural
- Wind erosion
- Windblown particles of dust, grit and sand

Summary

Low-M or Low-Maintenance Glass .....
• must be easily cleaned
• must be easy to keep clean
• must resist corrosion

Conclusions

Of the 14 types of contaminants or dirt .....
• only 4 are physically attached and easily removed using conventional methods
• 10 of the 14 are chemically bonding and therefore cannot be removed by conventional methods
• the same 10 types of contaminants/dirt also cause glass surface staining and discolouration
• 5 of these 10 types of contaminants/dirt also attack or etch glass chemically

The Prevention or the Cure for Dirty Glass – Durable Glass Surface Protection

• Long-lasting ‘non-stick’ performance
• Performance verified by real life experience
• Strong chemical bond, non-migratory
• Resistant to both organic and inorganic contaminants
• Resistant to the causes of glass surface corrosion
• Not classified as hazardous
• Easily re-applied

TECHNOLOGY EXISTS THAT MEETS ALL CRITERIA FOR DURABLE GLASS SURFACE PROTECTION

BEFORE, DURING AND AFTER INSTALLATION OF GLASS

THE CLEARSHIELD SYSTEM FOR GLASS RENOVATION, PROTECTION AND MAINTENANCE

• Durable glass surface protection - with ‘non-stick’, easy-clean, low-maintenance and stain-resistant performance

• Tried and tested performance and durability under all types of conditions and uses worldwide for almost 30 years

• High Added Value

‘ADDED VALUE’ FORMULA FOR GLASS

Durable Glass Surface Protection =

‘Non-Stick’ Performance =

• Easy-Clean • Low-Maintenance

• Stain-Resistant =

Cleaner and More Efficient Glass =

High Added Value

Glass with durable surface protection is not added cost, it is added value!

Durable glass surface protection lets the sun shine in!

‘ClearShield’ is a registered trademark of Ritec International Ltd.

With over 25 years of field experience and proven results, Ritec International is the pioneer and market leader for Low-M® (Low-Maintenance) Glass. The ClearShield System, providing unique solutions for the renovation, protection and maintenance of glass, has won numerous industry awards.