Introduction to Tempered Glass
What is Tempered Glass?
Tempered glass, also known as toughened glass, is a type of safety glass processed by controlled thermal or chemical treatments to increase its strength compared to normal glass. This treatment puts the outer surfaces into compression and the interior into tension. Such stresses cause the glass, when broken, to crumble into small, granular chunks instead of splintering into jagged shards as ordinary annealed glass does. The granular chunks are less likely to cause injury.
Manufacturing Process
The production of tempered glass involves several steps:
- Cutting and Shaping: The glass is cut to the desired size and shape before tempering since any modifications after tempering can compromise its integrity.
- Heating: The cut glass is heated in a tempering oven to approximately 620 degrees Celsius (1148 degrees Fahrenheit).
- Rapid Cooling: The heated glass is then rapidly cooled using jets of cold air. This process, called quenching, cools the outer surfaces of the glass much faster than the center, putting the outer surfaces into compression and the inner surfaces into tension.
Properties and Advantages
Tempered glass has several unique properties and advantages:
- Strength: Tempered glass is four to five times stronger than standard glass of the same thickness.
- Safety: When broken, it shatters into small, blunt pieces that are less likely to cause injury, making it a safer option for many applications.
- Thermal Resistance: It can withstand higher temperatures and thermal stress, making it suitable for environments with significant temperature variations.
- Durability: It is more resistant to impacts and scratches, enhancing its lifespan in various applications.