Tempered glass has brought a revolution in the industry. It is both strong and reliable. Their usage is increasing day by day. The question remains: how is Tempered glass made? Its complex manufacturing process makes this type of glass very expensive.
Compared to ordinary glass, tempered glass offers better safety. Due to this, many vehicles’ windows consist of these glasses. Upon breaking, the pieces of these glasses are not very sharp. But the question is why? You’ll get answers to all the questions in this dedicated article.
Overview of Tempered Glass
Tempered glasses are also known as toughened glasses. They undergo additional heating and a sudden cooling process. These extra steps make this glass very durable. These glasses can resist high impacts and thermal stress.
Interestingly, tempered glass making is inspired by metal’s properties. Metal becomes stronger upon extreme heating and cooling. The Smiths noticed this several decades ago. They employed this concept in glass, and as a result, glass became stronger.
This principle is used in making tempered glass. What makes these glasses stand out in their safety? First, they don’t break due to their strength. However, when they fail, they don’t produce sharp pieces. Instead, their pieces are tiny and dull. This factor makes them safe for usage in various industries.
Have you noticed the windshield of vehicles? They consist of tempered glass. During the accident, the pieces of tempered remain on the road. But they don’t puncture the tires of the other vehicles passing by. These pieces are not sharp. Even if you pick them by hand, they won’t cause injury.
Quick Note: Tempered glass is four times stronger than ordinary glass. This higher strength is due to extreme heating and cooling. The manufacturing process of these glasses is different from that of ordinary glass.
Step by Step: How is Tempered Glass Made?
Manufacturing tempered glass involves multiple steps. Understanding each of those steps is crucial for better understanding. So, go down into the details and discuss each step comprehensively.
1- Selected the Glass of the Desired Size
First, ordinary glass is made from soda ash, limestone, and sand. This glass does not have any appreciable strength. Remember that tempered glass is an ordinary glass with more strength. Additional processes employed on ordinary glass give it strength.
The manufacturers take the desired size from ordinary glass. Keep in mind that this size should fit your needs. Once the glass is tempered, it cannot be recut to suit your needs. Are you confused about why size matters?
The glass for the vehicle’s windshield requires a specific size. Similarly, the tempered glass for the house window will have a particular dimension. Slightly smaller or bigger sizes than the needed size will make it useless. You won’t be able to recut or adjust. Therefore, you must keep these sizes in mind. You can use the measuring tool to check the size you need.
2- Cut and Smooth Edges
Once you have chosen the desired size, it is time to cut the edges of the glass. Keep in mind that ordinary glass usually has rough edges. They don’t look pleasing. Therefore, smoothing the edges is essential. Upon use, such smooth edges look very attractive.
This cutting and smoothing of edges must be done before tempering. Once the glass is toughened, you won’t be able to cut it. Even if you try to cut tempered glass, it will break. Therefore, you should cut and smooth the edges after choosing a specific glass size.
3- Clean the Glass
The cleaning process of the glass is crucial. Small negligence in this step will lead to low-quality tempered glass. Ordinary glass contains some impurities. Apart from that, dirt, dust, and other contaminants are also present in the glass.
Removing these contaminants is vital. If these impurities remain on the glass, then the tempering process will not be effective. It will result in imperfection. The presence of impurities will make tempered glass weaker and breakable. The question is: How do you clean the glass?
First, you should wipe all the dust and dirt from the glass. After that, water is used to remove all the contaminants. I recommend you use a special cleaning agent to remove any remaining impurities. This step is essential to ensure the glass is ready for the tempering process.
4- Heating
This step of heating the glass is crucial. It should only be carried out after cleaning ordinary glass. The glass goes into the furnace, where the temperature is around 620-650°C (1148-1202°F). This is a very high temperature compared to the glass transition temperature.
You might think that glass can turn into a liquid under extreme heating. But this is wrong. The glass tempering process does not allow it to convert into a liquid state. The specific temperature and timing are kept in mind.
5- Rapid Cooling (Quenching)
After heating, the glass is then brought to the low-temperature area. The temperature in this is very extreme. The glass faces this sudden shift of temperature from very high to very low. This gives the glass the needed strength and durability.
This process of cooling down the glass is called quenching. You might get confused about how the cooling is provided. Actually, a very high-pressure air is blown on the surface of the glass. The pressure of this air is very high, and air touches each portion of the glass. Due to this high pressure, glass undergoes extremely low temperatures.
As a result, the outer surface of the glass compresses. However, this high-pressure air does not go inside the glass. So, the internal part of the glass remains under high tension. Due to this outer compression and internal stress, the glass becomes very strong.
Is Tempered Glass Better than Annealed or Ordinary Glass?
Yes, tempered glass is solid. It is excellent at coping with shocks and falls. It will only break if brutal force is applied to it. Therefore, many people consider tempered glass a superior option than annealed glass.
Let me explain my point in more detail. The annealed glass break will break at 6,000 pounds per square inch (psi). The pressure above this limit is disastrous for ordinary glass. However, tempered glasses have extended pressure-bearing limits.
The higher pressure of approximately 24,000 psi will break the tempered glass. Anything below this range won’t have any bad impact on the glass. In simple words, tempered glass is four times stronger than ordinary glass. Due to its high strength, this glass is common in vehicles, etc.
Can I Use Tempered Glass for Security?
Yes, tempered glass is very durable and offers optimal security. It is beneficial to use it on windows or a vehicle’s windshield. It can withstand any impact caused by mistakes. Upon breaking, the pieces of tempered glass also do not cause injury.
However, tempered glasses are not an alternative to bulletproof glasses. They are suitable for saving windows, etc. However, when they are struck, they break. Simply put, they will not save you from the attack of bullets.
Keep in mind that these glasses can only withstand minor impacts. For example, if you hit a stone on tempered glass, it won’t break. Ordinary glass will easily break when hit with a stone. Therefore, they are superior but not an alternative to bulletproof glasses.
Quick Tips: Have you noticed pieces of glass on the road after an accident? These pieces are from tempered glass. The glass breaks when faced with a high-intensity impact. Those pieces are not harmful and don’t cause injuries.
Conclusion
Tempered glass is in trend. Everyone prefers it over regular or ordinary glass. Although its price is high, the benefits outweigh the cost. It is a worthy investment for your safety, security, and durability. From windows to car windshields, this glass is dominating everywhere.
Tempered glass is manufactured in a complex process. It undergoes extreme heating and cooling to provide high strength. This guide offers detailed insight into how tempered glass is made. After reading it, you will have all of your questions regarding this topic answered.