Frosted glass,also known as satin glass,is a type of glass that undergoes special treatment to create a blurred,matte surface. This treatment renders the glass opaque,providing a certain level of privacy,and scatters light to create a soft and pleasant visual effect.
Frosted glass, also known as satin glass, is a type of glass that undergoes special treatment to create a blurred, matte surface. This treatment renders the glass opaque, providing a certain level of privacy, and scatters light to create a soft and pleasant visual effect.
Product Name: Frosted Glass / Satin Glass / Acid-Etched Glass
Core Process: Achieves a translucent, light-diffusing visual effect by creating a uniform micro-rough diffuse reflective layer on the surface of clear glass through either physical sandblasting (mechanical abrasion) or chemical acid-etching (hydrofluoric acid treatment).
I. Core Characteristics & Functional Positioning
1. Optical & Privacy Properties
①Uniform Light Scattering: Surface microstructure causes incident light to undergo omnidirectional diffuse reflection, eliminating specular reflection and creating soft, even, glare-free illumination.
②Translucent & Opaque: Maintains approximately 50%-90% light transmission while providing complete privacy protection (visual obscuration >95%).
③Visual Comfort: Creates a milky-white, gentle visual interface that effectively reduces screen glare, making it suitable for office and electronic device environments.
2. Physical & Chemical Performance
①Strength Retention: Surface treatment has minimal impact on the base glass strength (post-tempering treatment retains safety glass properties).
②Permanent Finish: The frosted layer forms a chemical/physical bond with the glass substrate, will not peel, discolor, and is resistant to cleaning agents.
③Workability: Can be cut, drilled, tempered, etc., before treatment. Localized areas of a treated surface can also be polished back to clarity.
3. Tactile & Hygienic Properties
①Provides a unique fine matte texture (acid-etched finish feels smoother).
②The micro-porous surface structure requires attention to stain resistance; high-quality products should have a sealed surface treatment.
Functional Positioning: The ultimate privacy solution and a premium medium for light and shadow control, enabling light penetration in spaces requiring complete visual separation.
Primary Application Fields:
①Architectural Decoration: Office partitions, meeting room doors/windows, bathroom doors/windows, shower enclosures, stair railings.
②Furniture & Appliances: Cabinet doors, wardrobe doors, display cases, refrigerator shelves.
③Lighting Industry: Lamp diffusers, light box panels.
④Specialized Fields: Medical observation windows, laboratory partitions, anti-glare panels for electronic devices.
II. Industry Standard Dimensions, Thickness & Tolerances
1. Standard Thickness Specifications
The thickness of frosted glass is determined by its base sheet, covering the full range of architectural glass thicknesses.
Process Notes:
①Full Surface Frosting: Can be applied to finished glass (including tempered glass).
②Partial Frosting (Patterns): Must be done before tempering using a masking process.
③Gradient Frosting: Requires specialized equipment to control sandblasting/etching density gradients.
2. Standard Size Ranges
Size capability is determined by processing equipment, offering high flexibility.
Industry Standard Sizes (Common):
①Fixed Modules: 1200×1800mm, 1500×2400mm
②Door/Window Modules: 900×2100mm, 800×2000mm
③Furniture Modules: 600×1200mm, 700×1400mm
Tolerance Standards:
①Thickness Tolerance: ±0.3mm (≤8mm), ±0.5mm (>8mm)
②Dimension Tolerance: ±1.5mm (≤2000mm), ±2.0mm (>2000mm)
III. Color System & Surface Effects
4. Pattern Implementation Capability
①Geometric Patterns: Lines, grids, dot matrix (precision up to ±0.5mm).
②Artistic Patterns: Company logos, natural textures, gradient effects.
③Functional Patterns: Directional indicators, scale markings, viewing windows.
④Smart Integration: Combined with LED lighting for dynamic display effects.
IV. Technical Specifications & Selection Guidelines
1. Performance Certification Requirements
①Safety Certification: For architectural use, must comply with safety glass standards (e.g., GB 15763.2 for tempered glass).
②Environmental Certification: Acid-etching process should provide heavy metal leaching test reports (complying with RoHS).
③Fire Rating Certification: Required for specific locations with fire resistance duration requirements.
2. Design Selection Guidelines
①Privacy Level Selection: Choose haze grade according to space function.
②Thickness & Structural Calculation: For spans >1200mm, use tempered glass ≥8mm.
③Edge Treatment Requirement: Frosted areas should be ≥10mm from the glass edge.
④Maintenance Design: Vertical installation is easier to maintain than horizontal.
3. Installation Considerations
①Orientation Marking: Patterned glass must be clearly marked for installation direction.
②Sealant Material: Use neutral silicone sealant (acidic sealants may corrode the surface).
③Protection Measures: Apply protective film during construction to prevent contamination from alkaline substances like cement.
4. Innovative Application Trends
①Photoelectric Integration: Using frosted glass as a projection screen or touch interface.
②Thermochromic: Developing temperature-responsive smart frosted glass.
③Antibacterial Treatment: Surface application of antibacterial coatings for medical settings.
④Self-Cleaning Function: Combining with photocatalytic coatings to reduce maintenance.
Inustry Quality Grading Standards
Summary
Frosted glass achieves the perfect balance between privacy and light transmission through precision optical surface engineering. Modern processes have evolved it from a simple functional material into a customizable design element. Selection should follow this systematic process: First define function (privacy level) → Then select process (sandblast/acid-etch) → Finally determine specifications (thickness/size).
Current Industry Best Practice Combinations:
①High-End Commercial Spaces: 8mm Ultra-Clear Glass + Acid-Etched Process + 85% Haze.
②Residential Bathrooms: 6mm Tempered Glass + Sandblasted Process + 90% Haze.
③Office Partitions: 5mm Tempered Glass + Light Frost (50% Haze).
④Furniture Applications: 4mm Ultra-Clear Glass + Patterned Partial Frosting.
The key to successful frosted glass application lies in understanding the interaction between its optical properties and the spatial lighting environment. It is highly recommended to create 1:1 physical mock-ups for final approval under actual site lighting conditions for important projects. As surface treatment technology advances, frosted glass continues to develop towards functional integration, precise effect control, and simplified maintenance.
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