Toughened glass is a type of glass with greater structural integrity than annealed glass. Toughened glass, often called tempered glass, has a different manufacturing process from traditional glass. To create annealed glass, silica is fired up and melted to get a clear, crystalline structure. When it breaks, it breaks into long, sharp shards.
2. Toughened glass is a type of glass with greater structural integrity than annealed glass.
Toughened glass, often called tempered glass, has a different manufacturing process from
traditional glass. To create annealed glass, silica is fired up and melted to get a clear, crystalline
structure. When it breaks, it breaks into long, sharp shards.
On the other hand, toughened glass uses a combination of chemical and temperature controlled
processes. This changes the structure of the glass. It has lower stress points and forms cube-like
crystalline structures. Because of this, tempered glass shatters into cubes rather than into long,
sharp shards.
Applications in Vehicles
In vehicles, especially automobiles,
toughened glass reduces the
occurrence of deadly lacerations
significantly. The small, cube-like
shards of this kind of glass minimises
cuts and subsequent bleeding.
According to the FBI in the US,
installing tempered glass in the side
and rear windows prevent injury.
Tempered glass is four to five times
more resistant to breakage than
annealed glass.
Architectural Applications
Due to its structural strength, tempered glass is widely used in architectural applications.
Tempered glass is strong enough to use in frameless, standalone structures such as balustrades
and glass doors. It is also used for glass walls and large windows on the side of buildings.
3. According to the Scientific
American, tempered glass can
withstand 24,000 psi of pressure
before shattering. As such,
specialised types of toughened glass
are used in buildings as an anti-theft
measure. Bulletproof or
shatterproof glass is common in
banks, commercial and government
buildings.
Cooking and Heating Applications
Tempered glass has many applications
in cooking and heating. Pie dishes,
platters and chemistry glassware are
typically made of toughened glass.
Toughened glass can withstand
constant temperatures of up to 245
degrees Celsius. However, sudden,
extreme temperature changes will crack
the glass.
4. Gadget Applications
The touch screens of many mobile devices use
toughened glass. This minimises the risk of
breakage in case the gadget is dropped from a
certain height.
Toughened glass has a myriad of applications.
It has greatly improved the safety of glass,
allowing for its widespread use in many
industries.
SOURCES:
https://www.fbi.gov/about-us/lab/forensic-science-
communications/fsc/april2009/review/2009_04_review01.htm/
http://www.jigsawbalustrades.com.au/design/
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3217380/
http://www.scientificamerican.com/article/how-is-tempered-glass-mad/
