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Vitrite is a very low fusing point black glass mainly used for the insulation base of electric lamps. It used to be made by the Vitrite Company. Vitrite can be called foam glass because the mineral from which it is obtained is a spongy mass varying in colour from white to black depending on impurities.

Process

To make the electric lamp, molten vitrite is poured into the shell up to a height of approximately a quarter inch (6 millimeters). A plunger is brought down to force the plastic glass into shape and fix the contacts.

Composition

Vitrite is referred to as glass but in fact it is an enamel which contains a high proportion of lead (II) oxide to give fluidity, and considerable quantities of manganese oxide to produce a black colour.

References

1. "'Vitrite' holders for incandescence lamps", Electrical Review, vol. 16, no. 378, p. 165, 21 February 1885.
2. Official Journal of the European Communities: Information and notices, vol. 41, Issues 287-291, p. 173, Office for Official Publications of the European Communities, 1998

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