Toughened glass is a popular choice among home and business owners modernising their properties, and it’s not for no reason.
From unmatched durability and aesthetic appeal to incredible versatility, it can be used in many different ways in a variety of different settings.
But how exactly is toughened glass constructed?
Discover everything you need to know about the glass toughening process with the experts at Express Toughening.
But first, what is toughened glass?
Toughened glass, also known as tempered glass, is a type of safety glass that’s up to five times as strong as typical annealed glass, as a result of the rigorous heating and cooling process it goes through.
Rather than shattering into large sharp shards, toughened glass breaks into small blunt pieces to reduce the risk of injury, making it a much safer option compared to other alternatives.
So, how is it made?
There are three crucial steps involved in the toughened glass manufacturing process:
Annealed glass prep
A sheet of annealed glass must be properly prepared before the heating and cooling processes that follow.
This involves inspecting the glass for any imperfections (scratches, chips, etc.) that could interfere with the toughening process and cause cracking or breakages, as well as cutting the sheet down to size, as it can’t be cut once the toughening process is complete.
Heating
Once the glass has been thoroughly inspected and cut down to the desired shape and size, it’s time to turn the heat up.
The sheet is placed gently into a furnace and gradually heated until it reaches a temperature of around 650°C to exceed its annealing point.
Quenching
When the required temperature is reached, the glass is promptly removed from the furnace and rapidly cooled using cool blasts of air or water jets in a process known as quenching.
This part of the process creates a significant temperature difference between the surface and interior of the glass. As the outer surface cools and hardens, the interlayer remains hot and expands, which prevents inward movement and creates compressive stresses on the surface.
What are the benefits?
Thanks to this meticulous heating and cooling process, toughened glass offers many benefits around the home and workplace, including:
- Increased strength and durability – Being up to five times as strong as regular glass, toughened glass offers superior strength and durability. It’s highly resistant to impacts, and can also withstand some of the most extreme temperature fluctuations, making it ideal for a range of different applications.
- Enhanced safety – Although breakage is highly unlikely, toughened glass will shatter into small blunt pieces on impact, reducing the risk of cuts and other potentially nasty injuries.
- Design versatility – As mentioned above, toughened glass is suitable for a range of different applications, from high-rise office windows to balustrade panels in the home, and makes a stunning contemporary feature in any space.
Browse top-quality toughened glass products online!
On the hunt for premium toughened glass products?
The team at Express Toughening has got you covered!
Browse and shop their range online today, or get in touch with their experts for specialist advice and recommendations.