All glass is breakable, but some types are harder to damage and less hazardous when broken than others. Thanks to a unique manufacturing process, tempered glass can hold up to seven times more weight than regular glass, and it isn't nearly as sharp or jagged when broken. Here's a look at what makes tempered glass such a strong and safe choice for a range of applications.
Processing and Manufacturing
Glass is made by mixing and melting soda ash, sand, and lime, then putting that hot liquid mixture through a cooling and reheating process known as annealing. The strength of the resulting glass depends on how quickly the material is cooled during annealing. Because it's cooled very rapidly, standard glass is reworkable and can be produced quickly in large quantities, but it is also more breakable and dangerous when shattered. Tempered glass is cooled slowly, which makes it stronger, more scratch-resistant, and less harmful when broken.
Strength Advantages
Many glass enclosures and household items use tempered glass to be able to withstand more wear and tear. Thanks to the slower cooling process during annealing, tempered glass is typically four to seven times tougher than standard glass. While regular glass can withstand around 6,000 pounds per square inch of pressure, tempered glass can handle up to 24,000. However, it's still important to adhere to the weight limits on tempered glass products, both to ensure their longevity and prevent breakage.
Added Safety
In addition to its strength, tempered glass is also popular for its safety (in fact, it's sometimes referred to as safety glass). Shards of broken standard glass are often large, jagged, and very sharp, not to mention difficult to thoroughly clean up. Rather than breaking into shards, tempered glass produces small round pieces that aren't nearly as sharp and dangerous. The added safety benefits of tempered glass make it a common material for many household and automotive applications, where there is a greater risk of breakage and human contact.
The strength and safety benefits of tempered glass make it useful in a wide variety of products and applications. Victorville Glass Company Inc. offers a wide range of
commercial and
residential glass products and services, including storefronts and doors, window
installations and
repairs, and custom
cut glass. For a free estimate, call us today at 760-245-3456.
Glass is made by mixing and melting soda ash, sand, and lime, then putting that hot liquid mixture through a cooling and reheating process known as annealing. The strength of the resulting glass depends on how quickly the material is cooled during annealing. Because it's cooled very rapidly, standard glass is reworkable and can be produced quickly in large quantities, but it is also more breakable and dangerous when shattered. Tempered glass is cooled slowly, which makes it stronger, more scratch-resistant, and less harmful when broken.
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