Tempered glass refers to a very tough glass that has been strengthened by high temperatures and is not easily broken. When broken, it breaks into small round pieces instead of sharp fragments, which also makes it safety glass. This is why heat tempered glass is called so and the material it is made of.
Tempering refers to the process of strengthening or toughening a material. When used for glass, it means using heat and specially controlled conditions to toughen ordinary glass - which is also called float glass - and make it difficult to break among other properties.
What is tempered glass made of?
You might be surprised to learn that tempered glass raw material is just regular glass or the annealed glass you often see and use. This is glass made using: sand (silicon dioxide), soda ash, and limestone as the main ingredients. During the tempering process, heat is used to harden the glass, and usually, no other materials need to be added.
What does tempered glass look like?
On the surface, tempered glass looks no different than regular glass. When looking at tempered glass from a polarized glass, however, one can notice many stress lines that are different from regular glass. Another way to identify tempered glass is through its smooth edges and finish.
That being said, tempered glass manufacturers will often place an authorization stamp on their products. This makes the glass easily identifiable.
Tempered Glass Colors
Tempered glass is clear, with a transparency that exceeds that of thermally or chemically strengthened types of glass. However, depending on the application requirements (aesthetic or otherwise), this type of glass can be tinted or tinted as desired. Common tempered glass colors include bronze grey, blue, and green.
How Thick is Tempered Glass?
Depending on the thickness required for the application! The thickness of tempered glass depends on its intended use. Since the glass can still break, it will be thinner in less demanding environments and thicker when it needs to withstand greater forces. Tempered glass is typically 1/8" to about 1" thick or 3mm to about 25mm thick.
Tempered Glass Strength
Tempered glass is known for its incredible strength compared to regular glass or other types of reinforced glass. This is what makes it so versatile and useful in a variety of environments, including the construction industry. This is because it can withstand higher loads or impact forces and temperature changes. But how strong is tempered glass and why is it so strong?
When compared to regular glass (annealed glass), tempered glass is about 4-5 times stronger. In fact, tempered glass can withstand loads of up to about 24,000 PSI before it breaks.
Compared to the strength of regular glass, which breaks at around 6,000 PSI, you can see how much stronger tempered glass is. The strength of tempered glass allows it to withstand shocks, scratches, and high temperatures brilliantly.
Why is tempered glass stronger?
The strength of tempered glass comes from the way it is made: regular annealed glass is heated to temperatures of over 600 degrees Celsius in special furnaces. This softens its entire structure. Then, its surface is suddenly and rapidly cooled, usually with the help of special air jets. As a result, the inside of the glass solidifies faster than the outside. This causes it to pull on the outside, creating extreme tension between the two parts.
Will tempered glass break?
While tempered glass is very hard and strong, it can still break. But this only applies if the forces acting on it are higher than normal (and above 24,000 PSI), or if the temperatures are extreme and above 350°C.
Such levels of force and heat are rare, especially when it comes to common applications of the material.
What is tempered glass used for?
Having said the many features and benefits of tempered glass, where exactly is tempered glass used? The answer is anywhere that glass is needed but regular glass cannot be used. This makes tempered glass versatile, from household products to commercial and industrial use needs. Common uses for tempered glass include the following.
• Countertops
Due to its incredible strength, tempered glass is often preferred for tabletops. This can be a dining table coffee tabletop, or any other type. Using tempered glass on a coffee table, dining table, or any other type of table is both aesthetically pleasing and safe.
• Buildings
In the construction industry, it is common practice to use tempered glass for building windows and doors. This type of glass provides a material that can withstand impacts, stress caused by strong winds, and temperature fluctuations. In addition to this, it provides a clear view inside the building and has scratch-resistant properties.
• Automotive Industry
When it comes to tempered glass applications in the automotive sector, you will usually find it used for side windows passenger windows, and rear windshields. Here, it provides safety advantages. In the event of an accident, the glass will break into small, rounded, and blunt fragments. It also makes the glass too hard for intruders to break.
• Cooking
Tempered glass is often used in the manufacture of cookware due to its ability to withstand high temperatures without breaking. You will also find it in the glass parts of kitchen utensils. In addition to the hardness advantage, using tempered glass to make cookware and kitchen utensils also provides an easy-to-clean surface and is therefore also hygienic.
• Aquariums
Tempered glass is the material of choice for making aquariums. Using tempered glass in aquarium walls and base construction means a tough material that is not easily broken and a clear view of the space inside.
• Other tempered glass uses include the construction of shower enclosures, glass railings, building partitions, basketball backboards, and many more.