L.J. Star, an Ohio based process observation equipment manufacturer, has introduced the Metaglas range of sight glass products developed for pharmaceutical and chemical processing.
Developed by fusing borosilicate glass inside a stainless steel ring, the resultant pre-stressed glass features extraordinary strength. Once the borosilicate glass solidifies, the linear-co-efficient difference between the metal and glass produces a force to uniformly create a compressive stress across the glass structure. Since the metal ring is prevented by shrinking in size by the glass, it remains in tension. Thus, the compressive stress induced mechanically, makes Metaglas products ideal for use in visual flow indicator applications and sight windows.
The Metaglas fused sight glasses have been installed in several plants worldwide and features a combination of glass and metal formula that makes the sight glasses more than four times stronger than other products available in the market. The advantages of the robust Metaglas sight glass products include an extended service life, broader operating range, higher temperature shock endurance and superior safety. The Metaglas sight glass windows can be used for circular weld pads, flange sight ports, visual flow indicators, sanitary clamps and threaded ferrule sight ports.
Metaglas products have been manufactured in accordance with the quality standards of ASTM E438, ASME BPE, DIN 7080 and DIN 7079. Suitable for use in various applications such as sight glass illumination, threaded sight glasses in hazardous locations, fluid measurement, turbulence in gear housings and compression chambers, the products are also available with ANSI bolt-on flanges.