Cerium oxide
From anti-reflection to color tints, modern glass enhances design in many ways.
Whatever the construction challenge, we have the right glass to meet it.
See how the correct choice of glass can transform a home - and even our wellbeing.
What modern glass can do
How and where glass is used
How glass is made and what it offers
Architects 3XN have created deliberate geometric transformations that create a prismatic pattern of triangular surface reliefs.
Glass helps set the scene for a comfortable stay in Dubai
Discover our showcase projects, captured through the lens of professional photography.
Explore Guardian Glass projects in your area and beyond with Google Street View and be inspired by the possibilities.
Search and filter through our wide range of products
See where you can buy Guardian Glass products near you
Navigate our architectural glass range and filter options based on product performance and aesthetics.
- SunGuard eXtraSelective
- SunGuard Double Silver
- SunGuard SuperNeutral
- SunGuard High Performance
- SunGuard Solar
- SunGuard High Durable Colours
- SunGuard High Durable Plus
- SunGuard Solar Plus
- ClimaGuard
- Guardian Clear
- Guardian Tinted Glass
- Guardian Clarity
- Guardian LamiGlass Acoustic
- Guardian LamiGlass Clear
- Guardian LamiGlass Color
- Guardian DecoCristal
- Guardian UltraMirror
- Guardian SMG
- Guardian SilverGuard
Just as we were in 1932, we're ready to meet the challenges of now and the future
Find out more about how glass can support sustainable design
We strive for quality in everything we do
Access our comprehensive suite of engineering and analytical tools
Download and use our standardized Guardian BIM content to create project specific BIM files
For anyone who is interested in learning more about glass and its use
Until the 1940's, iron oxide was generally used in glass polishing procedures, although other materials such as silica and tin oxide were also used. In the 1950's, cerium oxide was found to be a superior polishing agent, and is still used in preference today.
Cerium oxide, belonging to the group of elements known as the rare earths, occurs in nature in diverse forms. The two most commercially important are bastanite, which is a complex fluorocarbonate, and monazite, which is a phosphate.
To produce the polishing powder, about 80% of cerium oxide and 20% of other rare earths are used. When the polishing powder is applied to glass, it reacts with the surface to produce a complex cerium-oxygen-silicon compound softer than glass. This softer surface layer can then be more easily applied to produce the final polished surface. As polishing is the final step in the surfacing process, it should not be expected to remove errors made during previous steps when the shape is formed and smoothed. It is therefore necessary that previous steps, bevelling and smoothing be done correctly and accurately.
Your search has taken you to Guardian's regional site. Products and services tend to differ from region to region (this may suit your needs if you are looking for glass in another area of the world). However, your local Guardian business is identified as being Guardian's regional site, if this is incorrect you can change your regional website settings here.