faceboo Saint-Gobain Toughened Glass: High Strength and Durability | Benefits, Uses, FAQs

Toughened glass is a safety glass that has undergone processes of controlled thermal treatment to increase its strength. Also known as 'Tempered glass', toughened glass is made from annealed glass that has been heated to approximately 650⁰C and then rapidly cooled, making it four times stronger than the ordinary glass.

Due to the increased heat treatment and rapid cooling of the glass, the treatment produces different physical properties. This results in compressive stress on the surface and improved bending strength of the glass. Before toughening, the glass must be cut to the correct size or pressed to shape.

The Process of Toughening

The glass is carried by rollers and goes through the furnace. Three types of modes are used to heat the glass - conduction, convection and radiation. While the rollers help to conduct the heat, the coils enable radiation of heat. This ensures that the glass is evenly heated on every side. By blasting air on both the surfaces, the heated glass is then cooled uniformly.

Characteristics of Toughened Glass

 

  • After toughening, glass can neither be cut, nor altered.
  • Toughening does not alter the basic characteristics of glass - like light transmission or solar heat reflection. Glass toughened is known to have higher thermal strength, with the ability to withstand high temperatures up to 250°C.
  • Toughened glass is difficult to break but in the event of a breakage, disintegrates into small, harmless blunt pieces.

 

Tempered Glass

Saint-Gobain Toughened Glass

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Toughened Glass Vs Ordinary Glass

Parameters
Toughened Glass
Ordinary Glass
Strength
Known for its strength and durability
Brittle and lacks endurance
Breakage Pattern
Does not break easily; In the rare event of breakage, shatters into small, pebble-like pieces
Breaks under pressure; Breakage results in dangerous, jagged edges
Safety
Offers greater safety due to its resilience
Relatively unsafe due to its delicate nature
Flexibility
Can’t be altered after tempering
Can be cut, drilled, or polished
Application area
Appropriate for high-traffic areas
Inappropriate for high-traffic areas

Benefits of Toughened Glass

  • Toughened glass has high withstanding capacity and is therefore suitable for uses where strength and thermal resistance are crucial.
  • It is nearly four to five times stronger than annealed glass, and thrice as strong as heat strengthened glass.
  • Even during breakage, its relatively small pieces reduce the chances of injury.
  • While annealed glass is susceptible to thermal breakage with drastic changes in temperature, toughened glass has higher edge strength to resist thermal breakage.
  • Toughened glass is ideal in spider and point fixed glazing owing to its high edge strength.
  • Toughened glass is preferred because of the protection it offers, be it for the elderly or children, creating a safety blanket unlike ordinary glass.
  • What makes tough glass the go-to choice is the sturdiness it ensures, and its capacity to not break under pressure; even if it does break, which is extremely rare, the pieces are not sharp or jagged that tend to cause serious injury. Toughened glass can also be made acoustic, allowing privacy and peace in the living space.
  • Functional advantages aside, toughened glass is also an interior designer's delight as it enables one to add to the aesthetic value with its myriad styles.
  • From protection to privacy, from durability to designing options, Toughened glass has become an integral part of homes. With homes and interior spaces opening up new avenues and newer applications in glass, Saint-Gobain Toughened Glass adds value with its blend of aesthetic and functional advantages.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

What is toughened glass?

Glass that has been subjected to a controlled heating and cooling process, in order to significantly increase its resistance to mechanical and thermal stress. Through the thermal toughening process, the glass attains its safe-breakage characteristics.

Is it possible to cut toughened glass?

It is possible to cut and toughen a glass but after toughening glass cannot be cut.

Is toughened glass good for home?

Toughened glass is a prefered material for home to ensure added safety

What are the benefits of toughened glass?

Toughened glass has high withstanding capacity and is therefore suitable for uses where strength and thermal resistance are crucial.

How does toughened glass break?

In the rare event of breakage, toughened glass shatters into small, pebble-like pieces.

How is glass toughened made?

Toughened glass or tempered glass is the glass that has undergone processes of controlled thermal treatment to increase its strength.

Which glass is used for balcony railing?

Toughened glass is preferred for balcony railing.

What is the difference between tempered glass and toughened glass?

Although both the terms are interchangeably used, toughened glass is one kind of tempered glass. Learn more differences between toughened vs tempered vs annealed glass.

Can toughened glass be drilled?

An ordinary glass can be drilled before toughening it.

What type of glass is used for stairs?

Toughened glass is preferred for stairs and staircase railing.

What are advantages of toughened glass?

Toughened glass has high withstanding capacity and is therefore suitable for uses where strength and thermal resistance are crucial.

Why to choose toughened glass?

Toughened glass has high withstanding capacity and is therefore suitable for uses where strength and thermal resistance are crucial.

What can toughened glass be used for?

Ideal for high-traffic areas, toughened glass can be used for all applications to ensure added safety.

What are the different applications of toughened glass?

Ideal for high-traffic areas, toughened glass can be used for all applications to ensure added safety.

How to know if glass used is toughened or not?

Look in the corners of the glass pane to see if there is an emblem stating it has been toughened/tempered.

How to know if glass used is Saint-Gobain Glass?

Look in the corners of the glass pane for Saint-Gobain Assured logo. For more details on Saint-Gobain Assured, click here

 

 

 

 

 

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