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Leaded Optical Glass |
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littlevineyard1
Optics GrassHopper Joined: March/10/2008 Location: williamsport,pa Status: Offline Points: 35 |
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Posted: March/08/2009 at 15:54 |
I am hoping someone can clear me up on the subject of optical glass and lead. I heard it said that using lead in optical glass makes a better glass. I am not sure if this is correct or not, but if it is why are so many makers using lead free glass? Or is there more to this than I am aware of? thank-you
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littlevineyard1
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Dogger
Optics Jedi Master Joined: January/02/2007 Location: Ontario, Canada Status: Online Points: 8913 |
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My understanding is that adding lead oxide increases the density of glass and increases the refractive index. I would think the disuse of lead free glass is a cost measure but also so these companies can appear greener in their advertising. Check this article for more info: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lead_glass Ilya or Tom would be the SME's here.
Edited by Dogger - March/09/2009 at 05:59 |
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God save the Empire!
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littlevineyard1
Optics GrassHopper Joined: March/10/2008 Location: williamsport,pa Status: Offline Points: 35 |
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Thank-you Dogger for the very informative web site and its info. I understand why we have leadfree paint and drinking vessels for digested lead is extremely toxic and am glad we no longer use leaded gasoline asbtreathing the lead is also toxic.Other than being "policically correct and appearing greener I just do not ubnderstand why we do not use it to make superior glass
Calling a spade a spade , yes lead can be toxic if handled incorrectly but its not evil!!!Maybe it just has gotten too much bad press
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littlevineyard1
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rifle looney
Optics Master Joined: November/21/2008 Status: Offline Points: 2553 |
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I used to work for government, environmental in the landfill and methane gas treatment field and all of these things lead, thinners, solvents, as you know asbestos,different ingredients for paint that create high VOC's ,aerosol the list goes on and on some of these things dont due damage till later then it's too late! no matter how well it works if it's bad get rid of it now think of the future and your KIDS. in case your thinking what does methane gas have to do with lead it doesn't but I had to have one year of schooling and training to obtain this job and since it is Enviro! you have to learn it all! then refresher courses every year after.
Edited by rifle looney - March/08/2009 at 17:30 |
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silver
Optics Master Joined: November/04/2005 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 2291 |
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Isn't arsenic also a part of the process as a flux?
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"If we weren't all crazy we, We would go insane." Jimmie Buffet
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rifle looney
Optics Master Joined: November/21/2008 Status: Offline Points: 2553 |
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I believe it is? it is still used widely?
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Mangudai_87
Optics GrassHopper Joined: February/10/2009 Location: Hopkinsville Ky Status: Offline Points: 7 |
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Well, there shouldn't really be a problem with a lead in the lens, I mean seriously, its not like we sit in front of the T.V chewing on the damn thing lol.
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"Even a man who has nothing, can still offer his life."
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John Barsness
Optics Optimist Joined: January/27/2009 Status: Offline Points: 785 |
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The problem is not the lead in the lens, it's the lead (and other stuff) produced as a byproduct of making glass.
One of the reasons Redfield shut down forever was an extensive pollution problem caused by (from what I understand) just dumping toxic chemicals outside the factory.
Europe has long been a lot more conscious of such problems, because they have been polluted for many more years. This is why many European countries have banned lead in the manufacture of many things. It isn't the product that are the problem, but the by-products of manufacture.
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rifle looney
Optics Master Joined: November/21/2008 Status: Offline Points: 2553 |
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Thank you John I just didn't want to go on and on this subject of toxic pollutants really irks me after being in the field. and people need to wake up and learn. this dumping is going on in your own backyard! Ive seen it ...this is why I no longer do this type of work.
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littlevineyard1
Optics GrassHopper Joined: March/10/2008 Location: williamsport,pa Status: Offline Points: 35 |
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thank-you all who replied. I am alot more informed nowthan before and i can put up with a little less optical quality to help save the planet!!! I do believe that eventually the optical engineers will figure it all out anyway
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littlevineyard1
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John Barsness
Optics Optimist Joined: January/27/2009 Status: Offline Points: 785 |
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They already have. One of the reasons the recent lightweight binoculars like the superb Zeiss FL's are so light is that the glass doesn't have any lead in it.
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