DecoDur is a manufacturing technique which, developed and applied by Rastal, increases the resistance of glass to mechanical impacts and shocks as well as temperature changes. Through the registration of the patent at the end of 2000, the process is now officially recognized and legally protected. The technical advantage of this innovation is that two previously separate processes can be simultaneously carried out in one furnace: the baking of decoration motifs and the strengthening of the glass. The coupling of processes in the so-called “intermittent continuous operation” saves energy and guarantees the full effectiveness of both steps in glass-refining.

 

In keeping with “What doesn’t shatter glass makes it harder”, a temperature lock chamber integrated in the continuous furnace enables the application of this innovative technique. The drinking glass is cooled down in a very short time to 125° C from the 600° C necessary for the baking of the decoration motifs. The temperature shock causes an increase of tension in the wall of the glass which in its turn reinforces the structure of the glass. The DecoDur technique has proved itself in practical use and all Rastal customers are now benefiting from the significantly increased mechanical and thermic resistance of their glasses.