Toughened glass, otherwise known as tempered glass, is the strongest type of glass. It is commonly used when safety and/or security are a priority as it can be up to five times stronger than other types of glass.
To make tempered glass, glass must first be shaped and checked for any imperfections. Then, the glass is heated to over 1,000 degrees fahrenheit before being quenched. Quenching involves a high pressure cooling system that cools the glass in just a few seconds.
This process of tempering causes the surface to compress. The centre of the glass, which cools slower than the surface, tries to retract from the surface which causes tension. It’s the combination of these processes that result in tempered glass’ remarkable strength.
As mentioned earlier, tempered glass is used for safety. Visors for helmets, screen protectors, kitchen appliances, diving helmets, windows and doors are often entirely or partially made of tempered glass.
Similarly, valuable objects in museums or shops might be displayed in cases of tempered glass for anti theft purposes. Indeed, components of bullet proof glass will be made from tempered glass for maximum protection!
What Other Types of Glass Are Strong?
Laminated glass is also fairly strong. It consists of two or more layers of glass bound together with polyvinyl butyric (PVB) which enhances the strength of the material. Upon impact, this type of glass will normally crack like a spiderweb, rather than split into hundreds of jagged pieces.
Laminated glass can be used for when a heavier, denser glass is not appropriate. Car window screens, shelves, some furniture and mirrors are all common uses of laminated glass.
Cameo Glass are the No.1 Providers of Toughened and Laminated Glass in the UK
We’ve been supplying the nation with bespoke, measured glass for a long time. Here at Cameo Glass, our professionals have all the knowledge and expertise you would expect from years of experience in the industry.
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We’ve got a vast range of glass products available for purchase. If you would like to place an order or find out more, give us a call on 01793 513864 to speak to one of our friendly experts today. Alternatively, you can fill out one of our simple online contact forms!
FAQs
Toughened glass, otherwise known as tempered glass, is the strongest type of glass. It is commonly used when safety and/or security are a priority as it can be up to five times stronger than other types of glass.
What is the strongest type of window glass? ›
If you're interested in unbreakable glass that truly lives up to its name, polycarbonate panels are the type you want. Polycarbonate panels are significantly more difficult to break than both standard glass windows and laminated glass mentioned above.
What is the toughest glass made? ›
The strongest, almost unbreakable glass. Ultimately, ballistic glass is top-of-the-line protection for businesses and commercial properties.
What glass is strong enough to stand on? ›
Layers of toughened glass are bonded together to form a safe and strong surface, suitable for pedestrians to walk upon. Different walk on glass thicknesses are available depending on your project, and your manufacturer can advise on the number of layers you should choose for security.
What is the strongest type of clear glass? ›
Toughened glass is commonly known as safety glass. It starts off as annealed glass and is heated and cooled quickly to make it more durable. The glass becomes 5 times stronger via this process.
Which type of glass is the strongest? ›
Toughened glass, otherwise known as tempered glass, is the strongest type of glass. It is commonly used when safety and/or security are a priority as it can be up to five times stronger than other types of glass.
What is the strongest piece of glass? ›
Prince Rupert's drops (also known as Dutch tears or Batavian tears) are toughened glass beads created by dripping molten glass into cold water, which causes it to solidify into a tadpole-shaped droplet with a long, thin tail.
What is the new super strong glass? ›
Falcon glass is a new type of glass in the aluminosilicate family. This thin and light product can be significantly strengthened for use in high-tech applications such as smartphone and tablet screens.
What is the hardest bulletproof glass? ›
The strongest bulletproof glass used in typical commercial construction is UL 752 Level 8. Typically, this product is made using glass-clad polycarbonate glazing and is strong enough to stop five, closely-spaced shots from an 7.62mm rifle from a distance of 15 feet.
What glass is thick enough to walk on? ›
Tempered Glass.
Tempered glass is glass you can walk on because it is specifically designed to be durable and withstand heavy weight loads. It is commonly used where there is a high risk of breakage or where safety is a concern. Think skylights, balconies, and glass floors.
Borosilicate glass is superior
In terms of temperature, the maximum thermal shock range (the difference in temperatures it can withstand) of borosilicate glass is 170°C, which is about 340° Fahrenheit.
What is the strongest residential glass? ›
Tempered glass is often the best option for home windows due to its strength and energy efficiency. You save money on energy bills and get a sturdy glass that doesn't break into jagged pieces even when tremendous force is applied.
What is super strong glass called? ›
Tempered or toughened glass is a type of safety glass processed by controlled thermal or chemical treatments to increase its strength compared with normal glass.
Is there unbreakable window glass? ›
Polycarbonate Unbreakable Glass
In fact, according to some estimates a polycarbonate window is over 200 times more resistant to impact! Compared to standard glass windows, they offer superior protection against burglaries and weather-related disasters.
What type of window screen is the most durable? ›
Aluminum screens are rust resistant and won't sag. They're resistant to tears and more durable than fiberglass. Polyester screens are also rust, heat, fade and pet resistant, and work great as solar shades. They're an excellent choice for high-traffic areas.
What glass is made stronger than ordinary window glass? ›
Tempered glass is about four times stronger than a lite of annealed glass of the same size and thickness. The only characteristic of the annealed glass affected by tempering is its bending or tensile strength. Tempering increases the tensile strength of glass.
