stronger glass that lasts
glass that’s all about safety, even when it breaks
Tempered glass window is often referred to as “safety glass window.” And for good reason. It’s more resistant to
breakage than normal float glass. And if it is broken, it usually breaks into relatively small particles, which are less
likely to cause injury.
There are two main types of heat treated glass, heat strengthened and fully tempered glass. Heat strengthened glass is
twice as strong as annealed glass whilst fully tempered glass is typically four to six times the strength of annealed
glass and withstands heating in microwave ovens. The difference is the residual stress in the edge and glass surface.
Fully tempered glass in the US is generally above 65 MPa whilst Heat Strengthened glass is between 40 and 55 MPa.
Characteristics – Tempered Glass
- Tempered glass is approximately five times stronger than annealed glass of equal thickness
- Tempered glass has greater resistance to thermally-induced stress than heat-strengthened or annealed glass
- Suitable for use as a safety glass
- Tempered glass is also mandated in other parts of the world by individual country regulations or specifications
Applications – Temper Glass
- Suitable where safety glazing is required
- Fire knock-out panels
- All glass entrances and storefronts
- Extreme wind loads
- Fireplace enclosures
Manufacturing – Temper Glass
- The heating process places the surface of the glass in a state of compression and the core in a state of compensating
tension.
- The annealed glass is placed on a conveyor. The glass is heated to approximately 1150 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Rapid Cool: the glass is cooled (quenched) by the application of high pressure air.
