Tempered glass: what is it, how is it used, how does it differ from ordinary glass?

From afar, tempered glass or stalinite looks like regular glass. If you approach it up close and look at it at an angle, the glare will ripple. Regular glass has a smooth glow. Tempered glass is strong, flexible, and has other properties. It is used wherever shock resistance and flexibility are needed.

How tempered glass is made

Normal glass is heated in special furnaces to 600°C and sharply cooled. The temperature change from extremely high to cold changes the properties of the material. The surface of the glass hardens instantly, while inside it remains soft for some time. This causes tension: the outside of the sheet of glass is compressive and the inside is tensile. This process makes the glass more flexible.

If you fasten a sheet of tempered glass on two supports, several people can stand on it. It will not crack, but only bend. Ordinary glass cannot withstand such a load.

The peculiarity of tempered glass is that you cannot cut it - it will crack. Therefore, before heating, the sheets are cut to the desired shapes and sizes, and holes are made. The weak point of tempered glass is its edge. If you hit it, the whole sheet will shatter. Therefore, tempered glass items require careful delivery.

Tempered glass has a protective and decorative function. It can be painted, patterned, and the edges can be ground, polished or rounded. Tempered glass can be mirrored or patterned on top of it.

How does tempered glass differ from conventional glass?

The difference in properties. Tempered glass has such advantages over ordinary glass:

• stronger by 5-7 times;
• More flexible - it doesn't crack under load, but bends;
• it is resistant to temperature changes;
• withstands vibration;
• it has a high level of noise insulation.

A significant advantage of tempered glass - safety for humans and animals. When it breaks, it crumbles into small, rounded pieces that are almost impossible to cut. Conventional glass cracks into large sharp fragments and scatters into dangerous fragments.

Where is tempered glass used?

It is suitable for many areas where strength, safety and flexibility of glass is required:

• Tempered glass is used to glaze tall skyscrapers. The higher the floor, the stronger the wind, rainfall and vibrations will be. On the upper floors of skyscrapers, only tempered glass is used, as ordinary glass cannot withstand the load.
• Tempered glass is used to cover mirrored walls indoors.
• Stairway railings and elevator shaft walls made of tempered glass combine durability and original design. Those who move in the elevator or on the stairs have a clear view.
• Because the material insulates against sound, glass partitions and doors are a suitable solution for offices.
• A glass floor is made of triplex, a multi-layered material made of tempered glass and a polymer insulating film. The floor looks original, can withstand the impact of heels, the load of the presence of a large number of people. It can even be driven over by a car.
• Transparent roofs, through which you can admire the stars, are also made of tempered glass.
• They glaze balconies and loggias, storefronts, telephone booths, bus and trolleybus stops.
• Tempered glass is used to make tabletops and other furniture elements.

Tempered glass is also preferable in cases where ordinary glass will do. Steelite windows, mirrors in the house or institution are safer for people.

Because of the difficulty in processing and costs, tempered glass is more expensive than ordinary glass. The price and durability of the material depends on the thickness of the sheet, size and other factors.