Glass has been used in our homes and business properties for a long time, providing light, safety and security. Not all glass is the same though, and some areas require a tougher form of glass than others. Therefore, it’s important to choose the right glass for the purpose you have in mind. Normal glass is susceptible to smashing when it experiences undue force or accidental knocks. This isn’t ideal or safe in some situations, so a stronger form of the material is required.
Here are some examples of stronger glass that has useful applications in a range of different settings:
- Laminated Glass
The useful feature of laminated glass is that it will hold in its form even when it smashes. It will also stay in the frame. When it is broken, an inner layer made from polyvinyl butyric holds the glass together and prevents it from shattering into tiny pieces. A sheet of laminated glass will have one or two layers of glass with an inter-woven layer of PVB to provide that much-needed additional strength. On breaking, the large pieces stick together in a kind of spider-web formation. You might have seen this effect in broken bus stop advertising signs. It is safer for use in areas where members of the public could be vulnerable. It is also found in skylights, car windscreens, shop fronts and windows – areas where safety is paramount. The PVB layer is also useful for noise insulation and to keep out harmful UV rays.
- Toughened or Tempered Glass
This is the best type of glass for safety concerns. During the manufacturing process, it is treated with additional chemicals and thermal processes to give it that extra strength. It is therefore much stronger than traditional sheets of plate glass. During the treatment process, the outer surface layer of the glass will compress, while the inner layer gains tension. This makes the glass more resistant to breaking. In the event that it does get broken, it does not shatter into sharp shards of glass but rather crumbles into grains that are not able to cut. This powerful type of glass has many useful applications, including shower doors, car windows, windows in commercial properties, fridge trays and even diving equipment.
- Plate Glass
Plate glass is the least stable glass in this list. It is not as durable as the glass above and is more prone to breakage. If you do have a breakage and need a specialist then options available are an Emergency Glaziers in Leicester company at sites including https://www.nanduglass.co.uk/replacement-glazing/. This is the type of glass that on breaking, will separate into many different shards and cause injury if it hits someone or is picked up. The manufacturing process consists of pouring molten liquid glass onto a flat metal table and being spread to make it flat. Once the spreading is complete, rollers are passed over the glass to make it smooth and provide a polished finish. Plate glass can be seen almost anywhere, and its uses include mirrors, glass furniture, windows and for anything that requires flat glass.
