The Ultimate Guide to Toughened Glass

Toughened glass also called tempering glass, is a type of safety glass that has the ability to withstand impacts and it’s more resistant to scratches.

It is an excellent choice for windows, frameless glass doors, shower doors, partitions, balustrade panels, and commercial buildings. With toughened glass, you will be able to achieve safety and security as well as energy efficiency and sustainability in your home or office. In this post, we’ll explore everything about toughened glass.

What is toughened glass?

Toughened glass is a kind of safety glass. During the manufacturing process, the normal annealed glass is heated to its softening point, and then rapidly cooled by cold air. Finished toughened glass with increased surface stress and internal tensile stress.

Impact resistance, outer surfaces, compressive stress will be greatly enhanced. While the glass thickness, light transmission, colors will be not changed.

Similarities and differences between toughened and tempered glass?

Similarities:

1. they are the same type of safety glass after going through the tempering process. We will take they are the same thing in the article.
2. tempered or toughened glass both have 4-5 times increased internal stress and heat resistant property.
3. they can not be drilled, cut, or another physical process after tempering, the exact measurements must be provided before glass tempering.
4. they both break into small granular chunks after toughened glass break.
5. tempered or toughened glass both can be used for safety glass, glass shelves, frameless shower doors, refrigerator trays, and structurally loaded applications.

Differences:

Mostly the toughened glass is processed by the furnace. However, the tempered glass also is finished by chemical treatments with simple sodium ions exchange process.

Differences between toughened glass and annealed glass?

1. toughened glass is tempered safety glass, while annealed glass is not safety glass.
2. after broken, the toughened glass breaks into small obtuse particles while annealed glass will shatter into sharp jagged shards with big sharp edges.
3. tempered glass is 4-5 times strong than the annealed glass on surface compressive stress and tensile stress. While the annealed glass has almost no internal stress.
4. annealed glass with superior glass surface flatness while tempered glass with the local wave and whole arc distortion.

Is tempered glass fire-resistant?

The toughened glass is NOT fire-resistant glass, but it possesses a fire-proof function.

It can withstand temperatures up to 300 degrees centigrade (570 degrees Fahrenheit).

Advantages of tempered glass

– Increased safety and security: it is more resistant to damage than normal glass, so it can help to keep you and your family safe in the event of an accident or burglary.

– Increased thermal resistance: tempered glass is stronger on thermal resistance than clear float glass.

– Aesthetics: tempered glass can be used to create beautiful and elegant glass designs that will enhance the appearance of your home or office.

Disadvantages of tempered glass

-Increased costs: toughened glass is more expensive than annealed glass.

– Spontaneous breakage: also called self-explosion, happens due to NIS content in the glass.

– Worse flatness & appearance: due to heating and cooling process during the constant heating process.

What is the surface compression of tempered glass?

The minimum surface compression is over 69 MPa (equal to 10,000 psi).

Tempered glass thicknesses

3mm (1/8″), 3.2mm (1/8″), 4mm (5/32″), 5mm (3/16″), 6mm (1/4″), 8mm (5/16″), 10mm (3/8″), 12mm (1/2″), 15mm (5/8″), 19mm (3/4″).

Tinted/Colored Toughened Glass

Clear, Transparent

Extra Clear, Low Iron, Ultra Clear, Super Clear

Blue: Ocean Blue, Ford Blue, Diamond Blue

Bronze: Euro Bronze, Gold Bronze

Green: F Green, Natural Green

Grey: Crystal Grey, Euro Grey

Black, Gold, Silver, etc.

What are the safety standards of tempered glass and what certificates do you have?

Different continents have different safety glass standards:

USA Standard: ASTM C 1048, SGCC certificate

EN standard: EN 12150, CE certificate

Australia & New Zealand: AS 2208, AS & NZS 2208 certificate

Chinese standard: GB15763, CCC certificate

Why does the toughened glass will incur self-explosion?

1. One of the most common reasons is that the NIS caused spontaneous breakage.
2. Moreover, if the toughened glass is not installed correctly, or if it’s subject to physical shocks or vibrations, it may also shatter and explode.
3. In some cases, the toughened glass may also explode as a result of thermal stress or human impact.

How to avoid the self-explosion of toughened glass?

1. Using quality float glass or extra clear glass substrates.
2. Leaving suitable space when installing the glass panels.
3. Avoid such stresses like direct impact to the glass product.

Can we order cutting the tempered glass?

Since the glass cannot be cut after tempering, you need to provide the exact sizes before placing an order with us.

How to maintain clear toughened glass after installation?

It should be cleaned with a non-abrasive cleaner or a solution of water and ammonia.

It is important to clean the surface regularly and avoid using harsh chemicals or abrasive materials that can scratch the toughened glass.

A simple mixture of water and soap can be used.

Toughened glass applications

– windows

– doors

– shower doors

– partitions

-facade and curtain wall

– balustrade panels

– decorative toughened glass sheets

-passenger vehicles

-floor level glass

-unframed assemblies with glass panels

Tempered or laminated glass

First of all, both tempered glass and laminated glass are safety glass.

Tempered glass is safety glass processed by a process of heating and rapid cooling, whereas laminated glass is strengthened by a process of heating and lamination.

The main difference between the tempered and laminated glass is that tempered glass is more resistant, making it a more durable option. Laminated tempered glass is less likely to shatter than single tempered glass, making it a safer option in the event of an accident.

Tempered glass offers more safety in the event of an accident, as its edges are not as sharp as those on laminated glass.

Tempered glass can withstand impacts and vibrations that would shatter laminated glass.

Laminated glass is more resistant to damage than tempering glass, making it a more durable option.

Can toughened glass be recycled?

It depends.

Yes, the glass can be moved to new places wherever the sizes are suitable with your current glass size.

No, the broken glass cannot be recycled again.

What type of glass can be made into tempered glass?

Normal glass, clear glass, tinted glass, patterned glass, reflective glass, Low-e glass, etc.

How can we identify toughened glass?

1. In most countries, safety Stamp/Kitemark is a must on the tempered glass.
2. Heated and cooled from standard glass, there is distortion and roller wave from the outer surface.
3. You can consult glass experts to identify.

How strong is tempered glass?

tempered glass is 4-5 times stronger than the same thickness untreated glass.

Do we have to print a safety stamp on tempered glass products?

We suggest doing.

Importantly you can know that the glass is tempered, another reason is you can trace the glass manufacturer according to the stamp.

Where to buy tempered glass?

For small quantities, you can just order from local processors.

For big quantities, you can place an order to Elite Safety Glass at a very good wholesale price.