An Introduction
Have you ever wondered that there exists a phenomenon which examines one behaviour in reference to a certain event that has seemed bewildering to people; sometimes the glass shatters into relatively harmless small pieces, while in others it only forms a spider web like structure. These are differential characteristics due to how the two distinct types of glass are made: Some types of safety glass are; tempered or toughened glass and the laminated glass.
How do these glasses enhance protection and functionality in the real world? And what outlines the structural characteristics and resistance?
Consider the windscreen of a car or the large beautiful glasses of the tall structures. This brings the question of what makes these structures to give the information that they can bear shocks and weather changes and at the same time guarantee safety?
The answers are therefore in the special characteristics of this type of glass primarily the toughened and the laminated glass. What can you tell me about those small marks; depicted as kitemarks on the glass at times? These marks also contain essential information about the type of glass and the bespoken usage.
Glass is one of the main features of any home today and it can be incorporated in a home in many ways some of which includes; the door and windows, shower screen even balcony. However, what does get incorporated into these glass panels to for them be classified as having the capacity to offer us safety? To what extent do they realise clarity and gain strength, and how do they defend themselves?
Now it is time to reveal the peculiarities of creation of the needed sort of product for the construction or transport – the toughened vs laminated glass.
Toughened Glass : What Does It Indicate
Toughened glass or sometimes it is referred as tempered glass is another category of safety glass and this glass undergoes thermal tempering process to gain its characteristics. This one is done through heating the glass to around 620°C (1148°F), and then quickly cooling it. This rapid cooling, known as quenching, creates a balance of internal stresses: the outer ones will be in a state of compression while the inner ones will be in a state of tension. Such a distribution of stress produced is the particular advantage of increasing mechanical strength and impact resistance of glass.
As for the features of toughened glass one can distinguish the separating feature of its breakage. When it breaks, it disintegrates into tiny, dull-wristed pieces as opposed to the pointed pieces, which makes it hard for someone to get cut by the screen. This safety characteristic coupled with increase in its strength makes the toughened glass as an ideal material in many fields where strength and safety are weighing factors like in automobiles’ windows, glass façade for architecture, shower doors and many more.
Moreover, it is worthy to know that toughened glass has higher thermal resistance and thermal shock resistance compared to the standard annealed glass, thus it is recommended for applying in the areas with fluctuating temperatures.
What Benefits You Acquire From Using Toughened Glass?
Let’s analyse and understand what all qualities that make a toughened glass the best from normal annealed glass .
1. Enhanced Strength:
Toughened glass is somewhat stronger than the normal glass mainly due to the way it is produced. Thermal tempering process also enhances the bending capabilities and the other mechanical stresses. Thus, it does not transform under mass or pressure and diminish the probability of breaking or cracking upon impact. This makes it a suitable material for use in areas where the probability of it wearing out quickly is high, for instance in construction of overtures or car windows and production of furniture.
2. Safety:
Another essential advantage of toughened glass is that in case of being broken it will be safe. Instead of breaking into small sharp pieces that can cause significant harm, it disintegrates into small pieces with very little sharpness. This greatly helps to minimise the possibility of people getting injured in the incidences of accidents resulting in breakage. Hence, harder glass is often used in areas in which people’s lives are valued, such as schools, offices, and shower regions.
3. Thermal Resistance:
Tempered glass is stronger than ordinary glass, it can endure higher temperatures and fluctuation in temperatures also. It also does not crack under thermal stress; therefore, it is ideal in environments where there are fluctuations in temperature. It covers kitchen utensils such as refrigerator doors, ovens, and some types of laboratory instruments allowing fire and corrosion resistance in such places as well as their durability.
4. Aesthetic Versatility:
There are numerous possibilities of design for the usage of toughened glass because it can be produced in any shape,sizes, and having finished surfaces. It can be used for functional and design purposes: from simple furniture for a high-tech home to stencils for the constructivist building. It’s clear, tinted, or frosted versions let designers obtain the optimal look while preserving the product’s essential sturdiness and safety attributes.
5. Sound Insulation:
The strenuous configuration of the toughened glass is beneficial for sound proof features. This makes it a good material for noise control especially for residential and business enterprises. When it comes to windows and dividers, utilising the tendencies of toughened glass will not only make the area quieter and more comfortable but will also improve the quality of living and working.
6. UV Protection:
Subsequently, it can be coated to reduce bonding of dangerous ultra violet (UV) sunrays while still achieving reasonable transparency. This is especially important to prevent most of the interior décor, fabrics and artwork from fading off and are destroyed by direct sunlight. New Zealand ‘s Window and SkyLight can be protected from UV damage through the use of UV-protective toughened glass.
7. Resistance to Scratches and Abrasions:
Get in detail an explanation on toughened glass and distinguish it from standard glass and having a smoother surface; the surface of the toughened glass is more resistant to scratching and abrasion compared to standard glass. This factor means that even in heavily used areas, it is likely to keep a glossy finish on its surface for long. Therefore, the application of toughened glass is ideal for installation in the areas frequently used and exposed to washing with water or cleaning agents, for example, table tops, counter tops, and so on.
Laminated Glass : A Brief Introduction
Safety glass, whether used for construction or as car windshields, is made of two or more layers of glass with a plastic layer in between that may be PVB or EVA. That is done through application of heat and pressure by which the layers get bonded up, becoming a single whole item. Compared to the normal glass, which breaks into sharp and lethal pieces when struck, laminated glass tends to remain in one piece due to the adhesiveness of the layer in-between.
The key purpose of laminated glass is to improve safety and security since it is very difficult to break. On an impact, the glass can shatter into pieces, but the inter layer keeps these fragments in place to avoid scattering and probabilities of causing injuries. This property makes laminated glass useful in any application where the safety of users is of the utmost importance for example car windshields, buildings and overhead glazing.
Everything like laminated glass also has many other interesting characteristics. This feature offers sound proofing, meaning that sound from the outside environment is prevented from seeping into the building. Laminated glass also provides a shield against UV rays meaning that the interior furnishing and artworks exposed to the sun will fade slowly.
In this regard, laminated glass is used frequently in different fields of architecture and automobile industry because it is considered safe and can be used in many designs. Thus it is considered to be strength, clarity, and protection, which makes it a valuable part of contemporary construction and design.
AIDS OF LAMINATED GLASS
- Impact Resistance:
The laminated glass has an unmatched status in as much as impact is concerned mainly due to the make of the commodity. Unlike the toughened glass, lamination of glass results into comparatively safe fragments when broken, laminated glass persists as a single entity, mainly because of an intermediary layer of polyvinyl butyral (PVB) or ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA). Due to this characteristic of laminated glass, it is applicable in specific regions and constructions where users’ and their property’s security is of utmost significance, for instance in hurricane afflicted zones or constructions that require additional security against burglaries.
- Sound Reduction:
It also holds a better sound transmission class noticeable when comparing it with other glasses that are in the market today. The aspect of the interlayer of laminated glass is thus helpful in as far as respective sound waves passing through the glass since it was designed to work as damping layers. This makes laminated glass suitable and appropriate anytime there is requirement for low level of sound such as around a house that is beside a highway or business institutions.
- UV Protection:
It is most especial in shielding against penetrating ultra violet (UV) rays that are injurious to skin. In laminated glass there is an interlayer which eliminates a large amount of UV transmissions that are harmful to furniture, art, people and everything else from the sun’s destructive ultraviolet rays. Due to its UV filtering ability, laminated glass should be preferred for the windows as well as skylights of homes, museums, and all other structures that expose articles to UV rays.
- Security Enhancement:
Then in so far as security is concerned lamination is actually an added bonus; it is very hard to breach a laminated glass barrier for instance. Although in general lamination is more or less akin to the toughening process of the glass it does not crack on being hit but the gel remains bonded together even after the blow is delivered and this effectively keeps the thugs out. This aspect is very beneficial particularly in the scenarios where security is highly valued for instance the jeweller, banks, and governmental buildings in terms of thefts and vandals.
- Fragment Retention:
Laminated glass causes its fragments to remain bonded in-situ and as a result significantly decreases the risks of getting cut by the flying particles of glass. Basically, in its primary role the interlayer ensures the small fresh pieces of the glass are held in place so that they do not fly off and endanger the lives of people around. This safety aspect makes laminated glass suitable to be used in certain areas where dangers that originate from breaking of glasses are possible such as; overhead glazing, balustrades, and glass partitions.
- Design Versatility:
Laminated glass is highly useful hence it offers the designers with many options of the use. It may be produced with different interlayer materials, can be produced in different colours and design to serve esthetic and functions wanted. This versatility makes it possible for architects and interior designers to apply laminated glass in the different nukes and aesthetics in buildings; modern buildings and artistic ones such as the stained glass buildings.
- Hurricane and Blast Resistance:
Bullet resistance, earthquake resistance and hurricane resistance are also very high with laminated glass. Due to these properties which make it difficult for it to be cut by high winds or pressure waves, it is applied in hurricane-proof glazing systems and blast-proof shelters. These measures ensure protection and safety of people in buildings in areas vulnerable to hurricanes or where there are acts of terrorism.
Toughened Glass Vs Laminated Glass A Clear Differentiation
| ASPECTS | TOUGHENED | LAMINATED |
|---|---|---|
| PRODUCTION PROCESS | Heat treatment and rapid cooling thereafter. | Bonding multiple layers with interlayer . |
| STRENGTH | Approximately 4-5 stronger than standard glass | Resilient one . but less strong compared to toughened glass |
| BREAKAGE | Shatters into small and blunt pieces | Cracks but remains greatly intact |
| SAFETY | Minimal injury due to blunt pieces | Prevents shards from scattering upon breakage |
| APPLICATIONS | Windows, doors, shower screens, automotive windows | Windshield, skylights, facades , security areas |
| THICKNESS | Standard thickness | Thicker due to multiple layers |
| SOUND INSULATION | Minimal | Offers more |
| UV PROTECTION | No UV protection | Provides to some extent |
| IMPACT RESISTANCE | High | Low |
| EDGE FINISH | Smooth and rounded edges | Visible interlayer at edges |
| DISTORTION | Slight due to tempering | Distortion free |
| COMPLIANCE STANDARDS | BS EN12150 | BS EN14449 |
How Can I Identify Which One I Possess ?
RELEVANCE OF KITEMARK CODE
The attempt of classifying different kinds of glass by smashing them is not feasible. On the contrary, the kitemark code is a very safe and non- destructive way of identifying toughened and laminated glass. Here’s how you can use the kitemark code to identify the glass type:Here’s how you can use the kitemark code to identify the glass type:
Identifying Glass by Kitemark Code
LAMINATED GLASS
The Code: BS EN14449
The characters ‘En 11694’ written on this code shows that this glass meets the European standards for laminated glass. Therefore laminated glass with this mark is safe for usage with regard to the necessary impact resistance and adhesion of the layers.
TOUGHENED GLASS
The Code: BS EN12150
This code shows that the glass being imported complies with the standard European standard for toughened or as it is commonly referred to as tempered glass. Toughened glass of this certification has been checked for its value and typical brittleness.
Steps To Identify Glass Type Using Kitemark Code
- Locate the Kitemark:
Look at either the corners or the edges of the glass pane for the tool. Usually the kitemark is engraved or stamped on the surface of the glass, usually at the bottom. It may be found close to the manufacturer’s logo, name or any other unique features that are usually placed on the product.
- Read the Code:
Look for the specific kitemark code: I laminated glass you should use BS EN14449 or for the toughened glass you should use BS EN12150.
- Verify the Code:
Ensure that the extracted code aligns with one of the standard numbers. This helps one to establish the right type of Glass that he or she should use on this relative instance.
An Example for each of them
Laminated Glass: – Printed on the glass you see the reference
code “BS EN14449”. This means that the glass is laminated which simply means that it has more than one layer with an interlayer that bonds the layers in case it breaks.
Toughened Glass: – You see the label code on the glass and it is “BS EN12150”. This indicates the glass is indeed toughened and in case it breaks, it will break into small and relatively harmless pieces.
Major Uses Of Toughened Glass V/S Laminated Glass
Toughened as well as laminated glasses are used differently owing to their different characteristics. Here are the most common uses for each:
TOUGHENED GLASS
- Windows and Doors: Toughened glass mainly finds application in the interior and exterior décor of houses and other constructions: in windows and doors. Due to the strengths and safety concerned here, it is best suited to such uses.
- Shower Screens: Toughened glass is preferred for shower enclosures since it is safe for use in areas with high humidity and fluctuations of temperature.
- Automotive Windows: It consists of laminated safety glass to be used inside and rear car windows. It tends to break into blunt small pieces hence is safe in cases of accidents likely to cause major harm.
- Glass Partitions: Toughened glass partitions are used in the offices and any commercial buildings for the purpose of subdividing an area into two or more parts as it allows the different areas to remain closed physically but not Spatially.
- Tabletops and Shelves: Toughened glass is then used for tables, book shelves, countertops, and any other area used indoors and outdoors in the homes, schools, offices and many others.
LAMINATED GLASS
- Windshields: Automotive windshield particularly the laminated glass plays an important role in the automotive industry. This body work can withstand shocks and together with other exterior designs such as the clear glass Roof it offers protection to occupants and clear visibility.
- Skylights: Skylights usually utilise laminated glass as the material for such construction since it lets in natural light in the house while at the same time being safe. Being impact and weather resistant, it is ideal for overhead systems.
- Building Facades: Laminated glass panels are employed into the construction of facades in buildings to create an aesthetic worth as well as safety purpose. They afford shields from adverse weather and probable effects.
- Security Glazing: Forced entry and vandalism; laminated glass is applied to security related facilities such as banks, museums, and government institutions.
- Soundproofing: Laminated glass is used in places that require reduced noise transfer like music studios, theatres and walls of buildings which are close to roads or airports.
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