Drawing Out A Glass Jet

Introduction

Glass is a material which shows softness on heating and can be made into the desired shape. Glass is used in manufacturing laboratory equipment, marbles, paperweights, mirrors, decorative articles, windows and TV screens. Glass is a transparent material which acquires various colors by the addition of electrically charged ions that are distributed evenly. Let us learn how the glass is drawn into a jet shape.

Aim:

To know the basic techniques of drawing a glass tube into a jet shape.

Materials Required:

• 20-25 cm long glass tube
• Triangular file
• Bunsen Burner
• Sandpaper

Procedure:

• Select a glass tube of your desire with an appropriate diameter for drawing into a jet.
• Cut the glass tube to the required length with the help of a triangular file.
• Using the hottest portion of the Bunsen burner flame heat the tube by holding it at both the ends.
• Gently rotate the tube until the portion which is in contact with the flame becomes red hot and softens.
• Remove the glass tube from the flame and pull the ends apart slowly and smoothly until it becomes narrow in the middle and then stretches into a fine jet.
• Cut the tube in the middle and rub the ends using sandpaper and do the fire polishing till the ends are smooth.

Precautions to be taken during the experiment:

• Gently pull the softened part of the glass tube so that it is evenly thin.
• Do not touch the red hot portion of the tube since it will be too hot and might cause injury.

Also Read: Boring a Cork