Acid etched glazing such as “Matelux” (AGC Glass Europe) is often directly associated with glass doors or table tops. In fact, however, its range of applications today extends much further. In addition to the classic uses, the spectrum also includes room dividers, stairs and floors, all the way to translucent façade glazing for greater privacy. The homogeneous and fine grain combines high light transmission, of up to 90 percent, with effective visual screening. The broad range of variants opens up a wide variety of application and design possibilities for architects and designers.
Through a controlled chemical treatment, the Matelux design glass from AGC Glass Europe is given a particularly homogeneous and fine grain with a silk matt aesthetic and tactile quality. At the same time as providing privacy, the structure of the surface transmits up to 90 percent of the incident light and thus ensures bright and glare free spaces behind glass doors, room dividers and translucent façades, depending on the glass colour and glass thickness. On an architectural scale, the acid etched glasses are increasingly being used as structuring building elements. As room dividers, in balustrades, stair glazing or backlit floor surfaces, they benefit from diffuse light scattering that structures spaces without darkening them. In the form of translucent insulating glass units, the surfaces can also be integrated into façades, for example to create homogeneous surfaces that allow light to pass through while specifically preventing views in. In addition to these functions, interior designers in particular appreciate the pleasing tactile quality. The surface feels smooth and velvety and is therefore also frequently used in furniture, as table tops, shelving, cabinet fronts, in shower enclosures, as well as in swing and sliding doors.
Easy processing, like normal float glass
Matelux is based on various float glasses and can be further processed using the usual methods. Cutting, drilling, grinding or edge working are just as standard as toughening, heat strengthening or bending. Lamination, insulating glass assemblies and screen printing can also be realised. Lacquers or silver coatings can be applied to the non acid etched side of the glass. Several base glasses are available for different design approaches: standard float glass, variant “Clear”, extra clear glass, “Clearvision”, a slightly bluish tinted variant, “Linea Azzurra”, as well as tinted glasses in “Bronze”, “Grey” and “Dark Grey”. The range is complemented by special versions. These include “Matelux Light” with particularly light acid etching, “Matelux Double Sided” with an acid etched surface on both sides, often used for door applications, as well as “Matelux Anti slip” with a slip resistant structure, R10 according to DIN 51130, for stairs or walkable glass surfaces. Another variant combines the matt surface with a reflective coating, “Matelux Stopsol Supersilver Clear”, for example for balustrades or furniture applications. Important for a consistently unchanged aesthetic over many years: Matelux is UV resistant, has a fire classification of class A1 and possesses bending strength comparable to conventional float glass, tested according to EN 1288 3. The glasses are available in thicknesses from 3 to 19 mm, in dimensions up to jumbo size of 600 × 321 cm.
More information on Matelux and other design glasses from AGC Glass Europe is available at www.agc-yourglass.com or directly in the AGC Store at www.agc-store.com.
