Mirror – the subject with a smooth surface intended for light reflection. In life it is used for control of own appearance or as a decorative element of the room. Thanks to rather easy and inexpensive way of production this subject is widespread everywhere today, and it is possible to buy it for little money.
Instruction
1. Archeologists carry the first small mirrors to a bronze age. The found objects of those times represented bronze disks or the polished obsidian pieces. In the 3rd age of a mirror did of tin – filled in it in a glass vessel, cooled, and then broke. The splinters received as a result were used as a mirror. In the 6th century, glass which was learned to be rolled in flat sheets for a long time began to be processed alloy from mercury and tin – amalgam. However such mirrors gave pale reflection, and the way of their production was hazardous to health.
2. In the 19th century the famous German scientist Libikh thought up a new way of creation of a mirror which formed the basis of modern production. Instead of amalgam began to apply the thinnest layer of silver on a glass disk. And that the gentle silver film was not damaged, it was fixed by a paint layer. Thanks to it it was possible to receive very bright reflection.
3. Today there are two ways of production of mirrors. During creation in the first way the usual sheet polished glass is cut on preparations of a certain form, and their edges are ground. Then glass is washed out in special solution completely to clean its surface. Further aluminum or titanic dusting, and then – paint coating for protection is applied on it. Such technology does not demand big expenses, however allows to make only mirrors of the small sizes.
4. The second, more modern way, allows to make silver mirrors of various sizes. For a start on the polished glass a thin film of silver is applied, then the protective layer of the special sticking together chemicals or copper is imposed. And only then - two layers of protective paint coating. As a result the mirror differing in high quality and moisture resistance turns out.