At virtually any point in the process stream, glass articles can become contaminated with unwanted foreign materials.  These flaws are not only unsightly, but can also present concerns over strength loss, product performance, brand image, and, in the worst cases, consumer health.  Below are just a few examples of contaminant hazards you may be familiar with:

• Foreign material embedded in the glass from the manufacturing process.  In containers, this can lead to strength loss and product foaming on the filling line, while glass windows or crystal ware may be unacceptable due to poor optical quality;

• Packaging contaminants inside of bottles such as adhesives, carton dust, lubricants, or coating materials-all of which can affect the taste and/or health aspects of filled goods like pharmaceuticals or beverages;

• Unusual hazes or stains caused by any variety of species ranging from shipping and handling to mold growth or glass corrosion;

• Poor label adhesion or distorted inkjet codes stemming from glass surface contamination;

American Glass Research is fully equipped for any of these situations with state-of-the-art analytical capabilities such as scanning electron microscopy (SEM), x-ray spectroscopy, and infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) techniques.  Enhancing these abilities is our rich experience with the manufacture and use of glass products-knowledge that is priceless when it comes to pinpointing and eliminating the source of a contaminant as quickly as possible. 

If you are experiencing a contamination problem and need real answers, please do not to hesitate to give us a call.  There is no upfront charge to speak to one of our experts, and we would be more than happy to discuss how our services may be able to benefit you.  If testing is pursued, a formal report-written in plain language-will be prepared at the end summarizing our procedures, results, conclusions, and recommendations for eliminating the contaminant.  Pricing is based on time, materials, and equipment usage, and a cost-free, upfront quote for service is available upon request.  If necessary, American Glass Research personnel are available for on-site inspection and consulting as well.