Tempered Glass is manufactured by subjecting the final glass size to a heating and cooling treatment. This means that the tempered glass cannot be cut, edged or drilled after tempering and all kinds of processing excluding sand blasting have to be performed before the tempering process.
It is produced by first cutting and processing sheets of glass, which are then loaded into a tempering furnace. The glass is heated to a plastic state at around 700ºC, and then by computer control, the glass is moved into the quench area where it is rapidly cooled by a series of high pressure air nozzles. This rapid cooling or quenching induces high compression stress in the glass surface, while the center remains in tension. Although the physical characteristics remain unchanged, the additional stresses created within the glass increases its thermal and mechanical strength.
Benefits of tempered glass
Safety
In the unlikely event of breaking, it fractures into small particles, significantly reducing the risk of injury.
Strength
Tempered glass has high mechanical strength and is 4 to 5 times stronger than annealed glass of the same thickness due to the stresses induced during toughening. It also has high thermal strength, when compared to annealed glass, can withstand a temperature differential of 250ºC, and is stable in temperatures ranging from
-70ºC to 300ºC.
Mechanical Fixing
Tempered glass has high mechanical strength and can therefore be used with mechanical fixings, such as patch, spider, hinge, point and countersunk fixing.
Security
Tempered glass is much harder to break than annealed float or laminated glass. If broken it will not provide security, however the noise due to breakage is often a deterrent.
Sound
Tempered glass has the same sound control performance as annealed float glass.
Solar Control
Tempered glass has the same solar control and UV elimination as the glass that is being tempered.
Applications
Doors and Side Panels.
Internal Partitions.
Low Level Glazing.
Spandrel Panels.
Splash Backs.
Balustrades and Fences.
Shower Doors and Screens.
Frameless Glass Doors and Entries.
Structural Glass Walls.
Glass Canopies.
Furniture.
Marine Windows.
Automotive and Train Windows.
