Tempered glass is manufactured using special heating furnaces that heat annealed glass to a uniform temperature of approximately 700ºC. When the glass leaves the furnace, it cools rapidly. This rapid cooling leaves the glass surface in a state of compression, while the central core remains in a state of tension.
About tempered glass
The tempering process of tempered glass is actually to heat annealed glass evenly to below 700℃and then cool it. The tempering process of tempered glass is actually to heat annealed glass evenly to below 700℃ and then cool it immediately. The glass first passes through a furnace, brought in by rollers, where it is heated using three modes — conduction, convection and radiation. Rollers conduct heat, and coils help heat radiate. The hot air blows out the convection effect through the nozzle, so that the heat circulation in the furnace, to ensure that the glass is heated evenly. This superheated glass then undergoes a rapid cooling process by a uniform and simultaneous air shock across the two surfaces.Tempering can improve the tensile strength, thermal shock resistance and safety of ordinary glass. It also increases its heat resistance. Because of these properties, tempered glass is preferred in applications where strength, safety and heat resistance are important considerations.
The characteristics of tempered glass
1. The impact strength of tempered glass is four to five times that of annealed glass of the same size and thickness.
2. Tempered glass has higher thermal strength and can withstand high temperature changes of up to 250°C.
3. Tempered glass is considered a kind of safety glass. It’s hard to break, and even when it does, it breaks down into relatively harmless pellets.
4. Tempering does not change the basic characteristics of glass, such as light transmission and solar radiant heat properties of ordinary glass.
5. The glass surface after heat treatment has the same resistance to surface damage as the annealed glass.
5. Tempered glass cannot be cut or changed.
6. One problem tempered glass can also have is spontaneous breakage, which means the glass will break for no reason. Spontaneous rupture occurs when a nickel sulfide stone increases in size due to repeated heating and cooling.
Typical pattern of breakage
1.Heat resistance: Compared with ordinary annealed glass, edge strength is higher, can withstand uneven heating and high temperature. Tempered glass is used for spider and point fixing glass due to its high edge strength.
2.Thermal damage: Uneven heating due to direct sunlight causes the glass to expand and contract at different rates. This difference between the rate of expansion (the central part of the glass) and the rate of shrinkage (the edge of the glass) creates stress in the glass, which can cause it to crack. The risk of thermal damage is low when the temperature difference is less than 32°C, but increases significantly when the temperature difference exceeds this value.
The thermal rupture starts at the edge and is perpendicular to the edge of the glass. Depending on the accumulated stress, the failure may be single or multiple. Several cracks indicate high thermal stress in the glass panel. Fully tempered glass has higher edge strength and can withstand the possibility of thermal cracking
Common use of tempered glass
You may have noticed that many of the things you see around you are made of glass. And it’s not just any glass, but a safer, stronger kind called tempered glass.
The use of tempered glass
These are just some of the many uses of tempered glass:
1. Mobile devices
Your laptop screen and smartphone display are made of toughened glass. The same goes for the heavy-duty screen protectors you use to protect your phone and tablet screens from scratches.
2. Kitchen appliances
Tempered glass is used in ovens, stoves, and other kitchen appliances that need to handle large amounts of heat.
3. Auto parts
Toughened glass makes the Windows safer. Tempered glass Windows do not create large shards when cracked, but break down into small, harmless pieces.
4. Building use
Toughened glass is used in many ways to build houses. Shower doors, bathtub fences, sliding doors, Windows, skylights, glass curtain walls, elevators, swimming pools, glass balcony doors can be toughened glass.
5. Play field
The glass panels around the hockey rink and some sports fields are made of toughened glass.
6. Office partition
The desktop isn’t the only design component inside an office that can be made of tempered glass. The room partitions in your office building are made of tempered glass so that when employees bump into them or accidentally break them, they won’t hurt.
7. Retail store fixtures
Display cases and tables in retail stores are made of tempered glass because they are strong enough not to break if someone tries to steal something. However, they are also very clear, allowing customers to see what is on display.
8. Railings
Where there are stairs, there are balustrades. Glass railings are an important addition to the interior space, but they need to withstand a lot of wear and tear. Thick tempered glass is an ideal material for railings as it ensures that they are beautiful and durable.
9. Countertops and tables
Because they resist heat and scratches so well, tempered glass is often used to make conference tables, kitchen countertops, reception tables, coffee tables, and other types of furniture. After tempering, ask your glass manufacturer to paint the back of the glass to incorporate a bright touch of color into the space.
10. Solar panels
Tempered glass’s thermal strength, heat resistance and durability make it an ideal material for solar panels.
The advantages of tempered glass
Toughened glass is four times stronger than conventional glass. The opposite forces generated during tempering make this glass better able to withstand impact and weight than float glass or plate glass. Manufacturers often layer toughened glass sheets together with a thin film sandwiched between them to further increase their strength.
The way tempered glass breaks is a major advantage in terms of safety. Unlike large, heavy pieces of glass, which can easily cause serious injury, tempered glass breaks into very small pieces. These fragments can still cut people, but the damage is usually much less severe.
The disadvantages of tempered glass
The property of breaking tempered glass under sufficient impact is also the disadvantage of tempered glass. If it is not broken, it cannot be cut or drilled. In addition, installers must be very careful when moving tempered glass, as a slight impact on an edge can cause the entire piece to break.
Another disadvantage of tempered glass is that it is completely impossible to customize once the sheet is formed. The glass plate must be cut by the manufacturer prior to tempering, and any modifications (such as drilling or shaping) must also be made in advance. This makes it difficult for the installer to make field adjustments, since any changes usually break the pane.
Why use toughened glass?
Yes, it is recommended that you use toughened glass in your home whenever possible.
If you are familiar with the International Residential Code, it clearly states that safety glass must be used as a material for Windows, panels or glass doors, stair railings, railing panels, wet areas, and glazing near stairs and ramps.
But IRC standards aren’t the only reason you should consider planning to replace your home’s glass as soon as possible. The glass in your Windows, doors, and other areas of your house will be stronger than usual.
Tempered glass or safety glass is tempered because it cools faster than average. You can guarantee that it will resist strong blows, wind and wear. Because of its higher thermal strength, you can expose it to moderate heat without worrying about breaking the glass.
Safety glass does not break as easily as standard glass. It was not completely broken, and the pieces were not sharp and dangerous, but round like pebbles. Even if someone throws a rock at your window, you are safe. If your glass doors are tempered, you won’t have to worry about kids running around the house having accidents.
Your Windows and doors will look great. If you want to enhance the aesthetic value of your home, replace standard glass doors and Windows with toughened glass doors and Windows. You can choose from a variety of styles and designs. If you want a minimalist look, you can find clear safety glass that fits the interior of your home. If you want something out of the box, you can choose from a large selection of frosted or colored tempered glass.
You don’t have to redecorate your entire home; You just need to use toughened glass.
You can use tempered glass for different purposes. Tempered glass is flexible, functional and versatile. You can install it in Windows, doors, and other glass-enabled areas of your home. You can add glass sliding doors for garden or balcony access. A revolving door to the kitchen could benefit from toughened glass. You can also use it for shower and tub enclosures. You can even use it as a room divider as well as shelves and cabinets.
You don’t need toughened glass throughout your home; Use it only in areas that are vulnerable to strong impacts, such as bangs, and in frequently used entrances and exits.
