Tempered glass
What is tempered glass
Tempered glass is a type of safety glass that is processed by controlled thermal or chemical treatment. Its strength is increased and this makes it gain a number of benefits and uses, especially its durability as compared with the normal glass. Most people are however familiar with the standard and laminated type of glasses as opposed to the tempered glass. There are also others who already have tempered glass but they don’t know their benefits. It is good to know more about this versatile material.
Most places you will find the tempered glass include but not limited to the commercial and residential buildings windows, entrance doors, shower and tub enclosures, patio furniture, fireplaces, walk through doors, greenhouse windows, office petitioners, railing glass, showcases, patio table tops, indoor table top, glass shelves, glass panels antiques protector, craft projects, glass walkways, side and rear windows among other places. Nowadays you will find tempered glass used for manufacturing a wide range of computer case and maybe you don’t know this but you probably hold it every single day, as screen protector for your mobile phone. When you buy a new smartphone you probably notice a specific feature – scratch resistant glass – that’s not always enough to keep your display protected so you have the possibility to add a second layer of protection for your smartphone’s display by purchasing and attaching a tempered glass screen protector.
The tempered glass is about four times stronger compared to other types of glass. Furthermore, tempered glass doesn’t shatter into jagged shards if it happens to be broken but instead, it fractures into small relatively harmless pieces. This is basically the major reason the tempered glass is seen as the best when it comes to environments where human safety is a concern. It reduces any likelihood of injuries since there are no jagged edges.
To find out how this glass is made and why you should choose it, make this article your best companion.
How the tempered glass is made
Tempering is a process that requires the glass to be the first cut into the desired size. Avoid edging or etching after heating the treatment to avoid strength reduction or product failure. The glass to be tempered is fully examined for any imperfections which may cause breakage during the process of tempering. In case of sharp ends, sandpaper is used to smooth the edges and the glass is washed thoroughly.
The glass is then heated to a temperature near to its softening point. It is then cooled with air. The process only lasts for just seconds and the high-pressure air blasts the surface of the glass. The outer surface is cooled faster than the center of the glass. The center tries to pull back to the outer surfaces making the center to remain in tension. The compression of the outer surfaces gives the tempered glass all the strength it remains with after the process.
According to federal specifications, the tempered glass must have a surface compression of 10, 000 psi or even more. Generally, it breaks at 24000 psi approximately.
Alternatively, you can make the tempered glass with the use of chemicals. In that case, various chemicals exchange ions on the surface of the glass for it creates compression. However, this method is not widely used because it costs far more than the use of tempering ovens and quenching. These are the processes that make the tempered glass four times tougher than the ordinary annealed glass. It also increases its resistance to thermal and impact stress.
Cutting tempered glass after it was made is possible but requires special tools. It’s not difficult but one needs to know exactly how to cut tempered glass, especially when it’s needed to cut to size.
Benefits of tempered glass
Now that you know what it is and how it is made, it would be equally important to find out its benefits as well.
1. Safety
Safety is the first and most important when it comes to the tempered glass. Since it breaks into small, circular pieces, it reduces the risk of injury as compared to the normal glass which breaks into sharp, jagged shards. That is why they are commonly used in cars and public buildings such as bus terminals, phone booths among other places with high risk of vandalism or accidental breakage. When the tempered glass is chemically treated or involved in temperature changes, they all have the effect of making them less brittle causing them to crumble instead of splinting in case of force application.
2. Easy clean-up
If they ever break which can possibly happen, you won’t have a hard time cleaning the mess. Due to the fact that the tempered glass breaks into small fragments, you will just sweep away the broken glass instead of carefully picking up the large sharp and jagged pieces that could easily injure you. You can just easily sweep up the broken tempered glass with a push broom and even throw it away in a dumpster without fearing that the glass will open the trash bags and injure a waste management worker. There is no chance that you can injure yourself or someone else even when some pieces are left behind. Imagine you can also vacuum the small pebbles of the tempered glass and make sure all the pieces are cleaned up.
3. Strength
Another benefit of tempered glass that is worth mentioning is the strength that comes with this type of glass. The process of heating and applying chemicals strengthens the glass accordingly. This makes it to be more appropriate to places which require maximum durability. Choosing tempered glass for your building is a choice you won’t regret.
4. Heat resistance
Did you know that tempered glass is more heat resistant as compared to the normal glass? The molecules become more resistant to higher temperatures immediately the glass is taken through the tampering process which uses heat to strengthen it. This means that the glass won’t give in and melt or weaken even when you directly apply the flame. That is why they are most ideal in places such as laboratory uses, fire engines and buildings that require strict fire codes.
5. Other considerations
There are so many intangible advantages that are associated with tempered glass. Its level of reducing the risk of injury is automatically transmitted to reducing the risks of lawsuits as well. Public buildings and private companies with many visitors can benefit a lot from tempered glass since instances of breakage which may cause damage are greatly reduced.
Industrial companies which use safety glass to protect their employees from heat and flying objects will be on the safest side if they use the tempered glass. This form of glass is also used in hockey rinks to protect the fans from the flying pucks. Even when it breaks, it still won’t crack and cause injuries to the fans and players.
6. Quality
Could you be thinking that due to the tempering process your window glass will not be transparent? If you do, then you are wrong because a tempered glass continues to provide a very clear view that is required from the window while maintaining its structural rigidity. Since they are heat resistant, that means they will maintain the temperature of the room. They can actually resist to temperatures up to 200-300 degrees Fahrenheit.
7. Designs and varieties
You are allowed to experiment with various attractive designs and patterns with this type of glass. The standard widely used types are clear or obscure varieties. You can even choose to go with colorful glass, stained or insulated and all of them will do a great job.
Pricing of tempered glass
When it comes to pricing of the tempered glass, it would be difficult to give estimated costs. Since it completely depends on the size and shape of your window, frame, the thickness of the glass and where you want to have it. It would be best to contact the local dealers and when you take the estimates, choose the one who offers more varieties. You should also look for prices that are easier on your pocket. Don’t forget to check the quality of the glass used in it. Remember good windows are a great part of enhancing the look of your house, office and even your car. That cannot happen if you choose the wrong designs.
Benefits of using tempered glass screen protector as a guard to your smartphones
Durability
One of the biggest reasons you should buy a tempered glass screen protector for your smartphone is due to its durability. Since most of them are 2.5D hardened, you don’t need to worry that your smartphone’ screen will meet your keys and coins in your pocket and create a big mess. Tempered glass has the ability to resist scratches from sharp pointed objects. It can even absorb shock in case your phone drops and thus protect your display. Even on instances of several falls, the tempered glass will shatter into small pieces but still, your display will remain intact.
Better feel
The tempered glass gives you that feel of a non-existent glass layer on top of your phone as opposed to the conventional plastic. Due to its durability, you will continue to experience that feeling for quite a long time. Getting rid of fingerprint grease is also made easier.
Outdoor visibility
The good thing of tempered glass is that it will not affect the outdoor visibility at all. When you compare it with glossy or matte finish scratch guard, you will realize that tempered glass is far much better.
Sharpness
The plastic screen protector may obscure light transmitting from the display and end up affecting color gamut of your device. That is unheard of when it comes to tempered glass. If you are the type that really envies smartphone photography or you simply like watching videos and images, then the best choice would be the tempered glass.
Common uses of tempered glass
The tempered glass is also known as safety glass and it is used in many different areas. Below are just the common uses of tempered glass.
Automotive glass
Tempered glass is mostly used in car windshields because even on breakage, it can only form small non-lethal pieces as opposed to the normal glass which when broken will cause a very serious health hazard and that can even lead to death. The use of tempered glass on vehicles has reduced traffic fatalities which are brought about by the high rate of traffic accidents. This was actually a very impressive turning point when it comes to safe-guarding human life.
Monitor screens
Although it’s not likely that you would break the screen of your monitor or laptop, to be on the safe side, its advisable to use a safety glass just in case of an accident. It is very wise to use tempered glass in monitor screen because it is also scratch free. This is what many mobile companies are using so as to make the product durable and scratch free.
Construction
Due to increased technology, there are so many laws and regulations in matters regarding the type of glass to be used in a building. The local laws also prohibit the use of standard glass forcing the constructors to only go for tempered glass. The good thing is that safety glass can be used anywhere around the house. Due to its durability, it is used in frameless glass doors, the sliding doors and outside windows. You can even have a modern all glass façade house as well.
Home appliances
Tempered glass is used in heat resistance and durability. The most common home appliances that use the tempered glass is the microwave oven. This is because a microwave oven should be in a position to sustain the great amount of heat. Tempered glass is very essential to a microwave oven and the traditional baking oven so as to keep up with high amounts of temperature
Commercial uses
You are more than familiar with phone booths, bus stops, stairways and glass elevators in some hotels and office buildings. Also solar panels are protected with the help of tempered glass sheets.
So basically you can find tempered glass almost everywhere, maybe you didn’t know or paid enough attention to what kind of glass was used around you.
