Frequently Asked Questions on Toughened Safety Glass

As the name itself suggests, toughened safety glass is a structurally strong glass variant that has several applications in fenestration, standalone buildings, balustrades and doors. Toughened glass is also called safety glass because it never shatters into sharp jagged pieces upon a heavy external impact. This type of glass breaks into small, almost blunt, pebble-like pieces that are incapable of causing severe injuries. It is safe to install toughened glass in your home, even if there are small children around. Here is a list of some most the most commonly asked questions on the features and characteristics of toughened safety glass -

How Is Toughened Safety Glass Made?

Toughened safety glass is manufactured from standard annealed glass that has undergone a thermal tempering process to give it strength. Ordinary annealed glass panes are first cut to size and shape and are passed through a 650°C preheated furnace on a roller table. This takes the glass pane beyond its transmission temperature and softens it. After this, the inner surface of the glass pane is unable to cool as rapidly as the outer surface. This creates “centre tension” which alters the panes’ physical characteristics permanently. There is also an alternate method of using chemicals to manufacture toughened safety glass.

The end product is a sheet of glass that is heat tempered, can withstand much higher temperatures, and is four to five times tougher than annealed glass. The annealed glass pane must be cut to size or pressed into the desired shape before heat tempering. Once the customised glass pane has undergone the toughening process, it cannot be altered.

Is there a Difference Between Toughened Glass and Tempered Glass?  

There is no difference between the two. Toughened safety glass is also called tempered glass as it goes through the heat or chemical tempering process. Toughened glass is now a mandatory installation requirement if you wish to construct a glass-enclosed commercial structure due to its superior strength and safety features.

Is Toughened Safety Glass Heat Resistant?

Yes, tempered glass is heat-resistant. It can be combined with tinted glass to disallow the absorption of heat when installed in building facades or residential structures. However, it is important to bear in mind that toughened safety glass is not fire-resistant. This type of glass can be made fire-resistant through certain processes. Toughened glass’s resistance to heat also provides enhanced thermal comfort and energy efficiency to the structure it has been installed in.

What Is the Difference Between Toughened Glass and Laminated Glass? 

Toughened safety glass is typically used where strength and heat resistance are priorities, like in shower stalls, automotive windows, etc. Laminated glass is also used for enhanced safety and security. However, laminated glass has a sandwiched layer of special PVB or poly-vinyl butyral between two glass panes responsible for holding the entire structure together. Both types of glass are great for strength and do not shatter into sharp, jagged pieces upon breaking. They also do not break easily and can withstand a lot more pressure than an ordinary pane of glass. Laminated glass is slightly stronger than toughened glass and is a popular choice for external shop windows and doors, ground floor doors, etc. If you are planning on installing glass sliding doors and partitions inside your home, go for toughened safety glass, but if you plan on installing glass door for the main entrance of your home or office, go for laminated safety glass. 

Can Toughened Glass Be Cut and Drilled? 

Yes, it can be cut and drilled, but only before the heat tempering process. Therefore, an ordinary glass pane is toughened only after it has been cut, drilled, shaped, notched or frosted. Drilling after the tempering process will completely break the glass pane and render it useless. Be mindful of this nifty detail and specify your requirements well in advance. 

Properties of toughened glass

The following are the characteristics toughened glass is known for –

Resistance to thermal breakage

The heat from sunlight can make glass expand and contract at inconsistent rates. This creates stress in the glass and can lead to breakage. But you can prevent the risk of thermal damage by using toughened glass. Toughened glass also has an excellent heat-withstanding capacity.

Strength

Toughened glass is physically as well as thermally solid, and research shows that it can withstand surface compression of at least 10,000lbs per square inch, which is why toughened glass is considered to be safety glass. They are also known to be four to five times stronger than annealed glass and three times more potent than heat-strengthened glass. As these glasses are robust, they reduce the risk of damage if they come in contact with a calamity or disaster.

Resilience

Toughened glass is manufactured when regular glass is exposed to extreme heat and then cooled rapidly. Due to this excessive heating and cooling process, the chemical composition of the glass goes through an alteration making it more resilient.

Enhanced safety

If the toughened glass comes in contact with some harsh impact, instead of breaking into sharp, jagged shards, it breaks into harmless circular chunks. Thus, these glasses reduce the risk of injury. If toughened glass breaks, it is also more comfortable for you to clean them than the jagged shards of glass. The small chunks can easily be swept up by a broom and then thrown in the garbage without the fear of any jagged shards hurting anyone.

The Science Behind Toughened Glass

Toughened glass, also known as tempered glass, is a safety glass made by subjecting annealed glass to controlled chemical or thermal treatments. This thermal tempering process puts the glass’s outer surface into compression by subjecting it to rapid cooling, whereas the interior of the glass is put into tension as it remains hot. Because of this compressive strength, when a toughened glass suffers a severe impact, it breaks into small, blunt chunks instead of jagged shards of glass. This makes toughened glass safer than ordinary glass as it is less likely to cause injuries in a rare breakage situation.

You should know about toughened glass because if you try to cut the toughened glass after the tempering process, it will cause breakage. Therefore the annealed glass should be pressed into the required shape or cut to size before the heat treatment. Once the glass has undergone the toughening process, you cannot work on it.

What Is the Best Way to Clean Toughened Safety Glass? 

Glass in general demands very little maintenance and can be cleaned easily. If the glass pane is installed inside your home or office and is barely exposed to environmental dust, wipe it once a week with a soft damp cloth. However, if your structure’s exterior is made of glass or has a lot of glass panes exposed to ambient dust, clean it once a week with soapy water, and then wipe the soap residue off with a microfiber cloth. You can also use rubber or synthetic window wipers to shine your glass panes.    

The architectural Glass Supplier In China:

Toughened safety glass is a fantastic amalgamation of strength and aesthetics, making it an ideal choice for offices, homes, schools and other commercial enclaves. To bring out the best in tempered glass, you can count on Wallkingdon glass. Our toughened safety glass solutions are high-grade, able to withstand extreme differential temperatures, is durable, and does not crack or break easily. Get in touch with us today to take the safety factor of your home or office to the next level!

Wallkingdon Glass is a leading glass supplier in China for architectural and interior glass and offers a variety of tempered and laminated glass products to satisfy a wide range of applications.

If you have any question for any type of glass , pls kindly contact us via enquiry@wallkingdonglass.com