Overview
ASTM C162-23: Standard Terminology of Glass and Glass Products provides authoritative definitions of terms commonly used within ASTM's C14 series of glass standards and the broader glass industry. By establishing consistent language, this terminology standard supports clear communication and understanding between manufacturers, suppliers, architects, engineers, and regulators involved in the design, production, testing, and specification of glass and glass products.
This standard, maintained by ASTM Committee C14, includes both current and historical glass terminology, clarifies industry-specific usages, and references additional glossaries from organizations such as the Glass Association of North America (GANA) and the National Glass Association (NGA). Definitions are updated as technologies evolve, with each revision reflecting changes in usage and technical development in the glass sector.
Key Topics
- Core Glass Terminology: Definitions of fundamental terms such as annealed glass, tempered glass, laminated glass, optical properties (e.g., Abbé value), and various types of glass (e.g., borosilicate, flint, float glass).
- Manufacturing Processes: Explanation of forming, finishing, annealing, tempering, glazing, and other methods used in glass manufacture and fabrication.
- Imperfections and Defects: Standardized names for imperfections (e.g., blister, chip, crizzle, fracture mirror), supporting uniform reporting and quality assessment.
- Testing Methods: Reference to ASTM test procedures for properties like annealing point, softening point, contamination, and stress patterns.
- Industry-Specific Lexicon: Inclusion of archaic, specialty, and regionally distinct terms to aid industries such as construction, optics, and container manufacturing.
- Physical and Chemical Properties: Description of key properties such as refractive index, chemical durability, bending stress, dispersion, and emissivity.
- Related Equipment and Components: Glossary of tools, furnace configurations, forming devices, and standard glassware components.
Applications
ASTM C162-23 plays a vital role in:
- Technical Specifications: Enabling precise specification of glass products for architectural projects, safety glazing, optics, containers, and specialty applications.
- Quality Control: Standardizing terminology for describing test results, defects, and process requirements across the entire supply chain.
- Training and Reference: Serving as an educational resource for professionals entering the glass industry or seeking to maintain compliance and up-to-date knowledge.
- Design and Engineering: Assisting architects, engineers, and designers to accurately describe performance expectations, glass types, and finish requirements.
- Procurement and Compliance: Ensuring contract documents, material submittals, and inspection reports use common, defined industry language, reducing ambiguity and project risk.
Related Standards
Several ASTM standards are referenced within ASTM C162-23 and often used in conjunction:
- ASTM C148: Test Methods for Polariscopic Examination of Glass Containers
- ASTM C336: Test Method for Annealing Point and Strain Point of Glass by Fiber Elongation
- ASTM C338: Test Method for Softening Point of Glass
- ASTM C598: Test Method for Annealing Point and Strain Point of Glass by Beam Bending
- ASTM C813: Test Method for Hydrophobic Contamination on Glass
- ASTM C1048: Specification for Heat-Strengthened and Fully Tempered Flat Glass
- ASTM C1172: Specification for Laminated Architectural Flat Glass
Additional glossaries from GANA and NGA supplement the definitions in this standard for specialized applications.
ASTM C162-23 is essential for anyone working with glass and glass products, providing the vocabulary necessary for clear, accurate communication and effective application of glass standards worldwide. For the latest official version and comprehensive definitions, users should consult the ASTM website.