Choosing the Right Glass Separator Pads

You need glass separator pads to protect and safely transport your inventory of glass, lineals and finished products. However, you need to choose the correct type of separator pad for your application.

Are you a glass fabricator or window manufacturer who needs to protect your inventory in the factory and during transport?
Then you need to choose the right type of glass separator pads for your specific application. Here's how...

Request a free quote and sample of this product

Request quote / sample »

Since 1955, Frank Lowe has been partnering with businesses across all markets to produce state-of-the-art industrial manufacturing solutions. We offer dedicated industrial contract manufacturing teams who specialize in providing comprehensive services to a variety of markets.From best-in-class materials, customizable products, and a full suite of industrial manufacturing services, we provide whatever it takes to help your business met its objectives. Regardless of the technical or logistics demands of your project, we will work with you every step of the way providing customizable distribution services and support to ensure the contract die cutting is completed and delivered on time, within budget, and to your exact specifications.

Glass Separator Pads are used by glass fabricators for the protection of glass, lineals and finished products during shipment and within the plant to safely move and transport glass.

They are also used in shipping finished doors, glass, and windows.

It is important to choose a separator pad that meets the needs of the product it will protect. In order of importance, the two main items to consider are the backing of the pad and the density or firmness of the pad. Common uses include glass, IG units, vinyl windows, screens, etc.

Choose a Backing

There are two backings used on separator pads – static backing or removable adhesive.

Advances in adhesive technology over the last few decades have improved removable adhesives. Generally, use removable adhesive when:

Surface temperature is under 150º and/or
Surface material is acrylic, plastic, has a lacquered finish or any other surface where plasticizer migrationmight attack the finish.
The surface is vulnerable to plasticizer migration

Static backing is recommended for protecting glass at more elevated temperatures; for example; as it comes off a tempering line, an IG line or where the product is stored or transported in hot conditions. (For example, summertime in the south west).

It is always recommended to test pads in your application. We will always be happy to supply samples for your evaluation.

Material Selection

Once the decision of which backing to use has been made, the material selected is a function of the density and force to compress. After force to compress and the backings are chosen, thickness and size of the pad are the final consideration. These two properties usually go hand in hand, but there are exceptions. For example, Polyethylene is such an exception, a 4# P.E. foam behaves similar to a 15# vinyl sponge. The questions that must be asked are what is going to keep the pad in place and what is the product for which the pad is being used. The second page of this newsletter describes our various separator pad materials in more detail. Although some experimentation will pay off in long term pad savings, the following guide will help you get started.

Cork

Our most popular product. Available with static backing in 1/8”, 3/16”, and 1/4” thicknesses which includes 1/16” static backing. When ordering with a static backing, please ask for “Glass Separator Cork”. Cork is also available with removable adhesive in thicknesses from 1/32” to 1/4”. When ordering with removable adhesive, please request “Cork with Removable Adhesive”.

Foam

When a product with a removable adhesive is desired, our white polyfoam is our most economical alternative. White polyfoam is
available in our standard stock thicknesses of 1/4” and 1/2”.

NeoRebond

NeoRebond is a moderate density product. Our standard stock thicknesses are 1/8”, 1/4”, 3/8” and 1/2”.NeoRebond is offered only with a removable adhesive, and is a cost effective general purpose pad when the properties of cork can be compromised.

FLowe Magic Pads™

Our Newest Product! FLowe Magic Pads™ are a dense Vinyl with a Magic bite - no adhesive on the pad so there is no chance for delaminating or adhesive residue left on the glass. Provided in bright red for easy visibility.

Felt

In addition to our glass separator pad materials, we are pleased to offer the following two types of adhesive systems to serve customers in the mirror and glass industries. Our standard thickness is 1/16, but is available in other thicknesses by special request. They are color coded as follows:

Black felt has a permanent adhesive. This felt pad is ideal for surface protection as well as for desktops.
Green felt is offered with removable adhesive. This felt pad is intended for use by the mirror industry as
well as for lighter gauges of glass, such as picture frame glass.

Our staff is at your service to assist and guide you to the most economical solution for the production of your product.

To learn more about any of the products described in this issue or to request a quote or sample box, please call our Sales Team at (800) 777-0202, or email solutions@franklowe.com. We look forward to working with you.