wiseGEEK
clear answers for common questions Feedback About wiseGEEK Login
Home
Food
Hobbies
Health
Medicine
What is Tempered Glass?
Ads by Google Glass Shower Doors Heat Resistant Glass Tempered Glass Safety Glass Glass Companies
Tempered Glass
Tempered Safety Glass
Buy Tempered Glass
Curved Tempered Glass
Laminated Tempered Glass
Decorative Tempered Glass
Custom Tempered Glass
Ads by Google
Glass Pool Fencing
Glazing Glass
Laminated Glass
Glass Panels
Glass Design
Glass Cutter
Article Details
Written By:
R.
Kayne
Edited By:
Niki Foster
Copyright Protected:
2003-2012 Conjecture Corporation
Free Widgets for your Site/Blog
Did You Know?
About 70% of children have a sensitivity to bitterness that contributes their disdain for eating vegetables.
more...
get widget
This Day in History
January 19,
1920:
The US Senate voted against joining the League of Nations.
more...
get widget
Subscribe to wiseGEEK
Learn something new every day More Info...
by email
Tempered glass is one of two kinds of safety glass regularly used in applications in which standard glass could pose a potential danger.
Tempered glass is four to five times stronger than standard glass and does not break into sharp shards when it fails.
Tempered glass is manufactured through a process of extreme heating and rapid cooling,
making it harder than normal glass.
The brittle nature of tempered glass causes it to shatter into small oval-shaped pebbles when broken.
This eliminates the danger of sharp edges.
Due to this property,
along with its strength,
tempered glass is often referred to as safety glass.
The thermal process that cures tempered glass also makes it heat resistant.
Tempered glass is used to make the carafes in automatic coffee makers and the windows in ovens.
Computer screens,
skylights,
door windows,
tub enclosures and shower doors are more examples of places you will find tempered glass.
Building codes also require the windows of many public structures to be made of tempered glass.
Automobiles use a different type of safety glass for the windshield and tempered glass for the back and side windows.
Windshields are made from laminated glass,
which sandwiches a sheet of plastic between two panels of glass.
When the windshield breaks,
the glass panels stick to the plastic film,
rather than falling away to possibly injure the driver or other passengers.
Ads by Google
Coastal Wood Windows
Eagle,
Andersen,
& Caoba Windows Clad for protection,
10 Yr Warranty
http://www.sunexinternationalinc.com
Acrylic glue
20 Free Starting Point Formulations For Acrylic Adhesives and Sealants
http://www.specialchem4adhesives.com
Folding French Doors
Create large exterior openings with folding french doors.
http://www.NanaWall.com
Temporary Dust Walls
We install temporary dust walls and ceilings during renovations
http://www.shield-works.com
Solar Shower only $398.67
Warm showers anywhere sun shines Heats 5.5 gallons up to 140°F
http://www.SolarDirect.com/SolarShower
Tempered glass breaks in a unique way.
If any part of the glass fails,
the entire panel shatters at once.
This distinguishes it from normal glass,
which might experience a small crack or localized breakage from an isolated impact.
Tempered glass might also fail long after the event that caused the failure.
Stresses continue to play until the defect erupts,
triggering breakage of the entire panel.
In recent years,
acrylic has replaced tempered glass in many applications in which heat is not a factor.
Acrylic is 20 times more impact resistant than glass and does not shatter like tempered glass.
Instead,
acrylic dents if the impact is strong enough.
If the force is sufficient to cause acrylic to fail,
it will crack without shattering.
Acrylic is also half the weight of glass and has many other advantages.
However,
it is flammable.
Therefore,
you won`t find an acrylic coffee carafe or oven door.
Ads by Google
Safe Water Hose Stations
Intelligent & innovative solutions that meet your hot water needs.
http://www.armstronginternational.com
Glass Art
Glass Jewelry Unique Glass Sculptures
http://www.FlameTreeGlass.com
Metal Wall Information
Find Metal Wall Mfrs,
AIA/CEU units Designs,
Projects,
Industry Info
http://www.DesignandBuildwithMetal.com
Rochling Glastic Comp.
Custom Shapes and Profiles Electrical,
transportation,
etc
http://www.glastic.com
Related Videos
Play
How to Light a Basement Room
Play
Learn About Various Types of Allium
Play
There`s No Place Like Here:
Hindsvik
Related wiseGEEK Articles
Ads by Google Print on Glass Double Glazed Glass Photos in Glass Local Glass Company
What Should I Consider When Getting Tinted Windows?
What Is an Oculus?
What Is a Glass-to-Metal Seal?
How Do I Choose the Best Glass Coffee Carafe?
What Is the Glass Manufacturing Process?
What Are Laminated Glass Windows?
What Is Reflective Glass?
Ads by Google
Peristaltic Hose Pumps
Industrial Grade.
Made in China Fine quality Peristaltic Hose Pumps
http://www.prefluid.com
Thermal Break Pads
Thermal break pads prevent thermal bridging & reduces heat loss.
http://www.fabreeka.co.uk
Near New Glass Furnace
Buy a Tornati Forni Furnace for Thermal Treatment of Sheet Glass stainless.netramp.com.au/ads/
Stealth
Standard/Acoustical Buildings,
PowerGen,
Cooler Silencers
http://www.stealthacoustical.com
Discuss this Article
anon200130
Post 57 I`m confused about the the properties of the glass.
Can you please give me the properties of a glass?
exracerfan
Post 56 I had a 6foot x 2foot tempered glass which was on top of a dark pine drawer cabinet.
The other night at 3 a.m.
it suddenly exploded next to us,
while we in bed asleep!
It was not chipped,
scratched or damaged in any way and had been there for seven years!
I had a lot of jewelery boxes on top of it (10 in all).
Can`t understand why it happened and am now worried about the glass top I have on my dining table which is also tempered,
seven years old and very large.
Does anyone know if this is normal?
anon172582
Post 55 what is the difference between as-1 and as-4 auto glass types?
Related Topics
Tempered GlassTempered Safety GlassBuy Tempered GlassCurved Tempered GlassLaminated Tempered Glass
anon141939
Post 54 I have/had a glass top round patio table,
five feet across.
last week this table (it was in an outside screen room with a metal roof)
"blew up." It shattered and left a pile of little ice cubes.
Can anyone tell me why this would happen.
Table is about four years old.
anon140080
Post 52 I am an owner builder with a plan for a curved shower enclosure,
having approximately a 44` diameter.
Can someone explain the relative advantages and disadvantages of tempered vs.
laminated vs cast glass for this application?
Thank you.
Glassman
Post 50 answer to question 19:
you can buy fire rated ceramic glass from Technical Glass Products(TGP)
in Washington.
Related Topics
Tempered GlassTempered Safety GlassBuy Tempered GlassCurved Tempered GlassLaminated Tempered Glass
Glassman
Post 49 question 8:
Gary,
likely you are looking at two different applications for the glass required in your estimate.
1/4" clear tempered is used for all of your interior glazing(vestibules,
hallow metal framing etc.)
the low e annealed refers to the makeup of the insulated glass unit on the exterior of the building,
in the curtain wall,
or windows.
this will need to be fully tempered if it is adjacent,
or in a door;
or 18" from the finish floor.
Glassman
Post 48 Answer to question 22:
tempered glass (1/4" thick)
clear,
with a rough edge costs less than $2 per square foot from major glass fabricators(Oldcastle,
PDC,
Arch,
etc.)
polish edge costs normally 10-15 cents per inch.
As you increase thickness,
or change the tint,
or shape,
the cost increases dramatically.
Glassman
Post 47 Answer to question 25:
Don`t replace it until it breaks.
crazing the edge of a tempered lite does not automatically equal spontaneous breakage.
edge stresses are at maximum to about 1/2" and in from the edge of the glass.
I have polished ground as much as 1/4" from tempered lites with no breakage.
You may get away with it.
Related Topics
Tempered GlassTempered Safety GlassBuy Tempered GlassCurved Tempered GlassLaminated Tempered Glass
Glassman
Post 46 answer to question 26:
If you are looking for resistance to heat/cooling the glass of choice is Heat Strengthened.
Many specifications call for all glass to be HS,
and fully tempered glass to be heat soaked.
Glassman
Post 45 Your friend`s fireplace glass may be firelite glass which can (and does)
run,
not shatter.
Ads by GoogleArt GlassColor GlassWindow GlassBlown GlassGlass Artist
Glassman
Post 44 You cannot cut tempered glass,
but you can wet-polish grind and wet hole saw tempered glass,
very carefully and risk of breakage is extremely high and not recommended.
Related Topics
Tempered GlassTempered Safety GlassBuy Tempered GlassCurved Tempered GlassLaminated Tempered Glass
Glassman
Post 43 answer to question 30:
All overhead glazing must be laminated,
many insulated units are laminated glass on the inboard lite,
and tempered only on the outboard lite.
The theory is that the tempered glass on the outboard lite has the strength to resist impact from birds,
roof gravel in storms,
as well as solar heat.
The inboard lite will be laminated to confine any breakage from falling onto occupants below.
Wire glass is acceptable as overhead glazing.
Wire glass is acceptable in fire rated applications,
however in doors,
or adjacent to doors,
or 18" above finished floor must be impact rated for safety.
specifically Wirelite NT.
anon126354
Post 42 answer to number 38:
Many times tempered glass is prone to spontaneous breakage.
This occurs when Nickel Sulfide inclusions re-expand during the heat cycling process after installation.
Nickel Sulfide particles shrink during the tempering process and the float/melting process equally,
but in the tempering process they are not given time to re-expand during the quenching process,
thus are confined to their shrunken state.
When the tempered glass is heated slowly from solar heat gain,
the Nickel Sulfide particle grows.
It can apply as much as 500,000 psi in a very confined area,
thus causing spontaneous breakage.
spontaneous breakage does not occur in heat strengthened glass because the nickel sulfide is allowed to re-grow duning the slow cooling process after the tempering oven,
and is also not under the same internal stresses as tempered glass.
It is impossible to eliminate Nickel Sulfide inclusions from glass,
however the percentage of tempered lites subject to risk of breakage can be reduced by a process called "heat soaking" Essentially this is just a -"break it now"- theory,
but is not 100% effective,
it is costly(roughly $1.50/lite/sq ft.)
and can weaken tempered glass.
Ads by GoogleGlass Price ListFloat Glass24 Hour GlassCutting GlassGlass Curved
anon101886
Post 39 No,
this glass simply shattered on its own.
No one near it.
We were inside and heard the noise.
Same thing with my neighbor.
Other people who were thinking about having this type of enclosed balcony are now having second thoughts.
Also,
the balcony glass is seamless,
no posts.
The glass is on tracks.
Related Topics
Tempered GlassTempered Safety GlassBuy Tempered GlassCurved Tempered GlassLaminated Tempered Glass
anon101885
Post 38 I have a glass enclosed balcony on the 24th floor of a condo building.
After several years with no problems a piece of my glass shattered or exploded for no apparent reason.
What makes this even more interesting is that a neighbor of mine,
in the same building has recently had the same thing happen on his balcony,
(purchased from same company!).
What would cause this to happen?
Keep in mind that there are many other units in this building with the same type of enclosures and this has never happened in the past,
as I have checked with our superintendent.
Defect in the glass?
Bird?
Temperature?
Thanks.
anon93832
Post 37 why would a tempered glass table top break without any hit on the glass or edges.
anon93122
Post 36 I do windshield replacement Atlanta and tempered auto glass parts are used for doors,
vents and back glass.
It is heated up and cooled quickly so that the outside surface of the glass becomes harder than the middle.
This causes the glass to break into small squares rather than shatter into shards during an accident.
It is sometimes referred to as safety glass for this reason.
Related Topics
Tempered GlassTempered Safety GlassBuy Tempered GlassCurved Tempered GlassLaminated Tempered Glass
anon83624
Post 35 There is a crack in our office window about one metre long.
It appeared a week ago.
there was no impact that we were aware of.
What could have caused this?
thanks.
anon79785
Post 34 If toughened/tempered glass shatters when damaged,
why has a friend of mine got a cracked glass in his wood burner?
Is this a different type?
Ads by GoogleGlass Cut to SizeDIY Glass BalustradesFrameless Glass ClampsSejal Architectural GlassGlass Ballastrade
anon78160
Post 33 What is the difference between tempered glass and toughened glass?
Related Topics
Tempered GlassTempered Safety GlassBuy Tempered GlassCurved Tempered GlassLaminated Tempered Glass
anon71859
Post 32 Can a tempered glass fail after a long while?
it had been hardly hit on its thickness?
steve8rox
Post 31 To anon 25940:
Every glass panel of my glassed-in off-kitchen balcony has the manufacturer`s brand name and the words "Tempered Glass" etched in a corner of each panel.
Surprisingly,
here in South Korea,
the info is in English only (very unusual).
anon64297
Post 30 One company tells me that tempered glass is all you need for overhead panels in a sunroom and another company tells me that it must be tempered on the outside and laminated on the inside.
Which is correct?
Related Topics
Tempered GlassTempered Safety GlassBuy Tempered GlassCurved Tempered GlassLaminated Tempered Glass
anon50984
Post 26 Is tempered glass more resistant to heating/cooling damage than normal glass?
anon48892
Post 25 I have a dual tempered slider that the outer crazed a couple of weeks ago.
Will have it repaired,
have estimates - but money is tight Duh!
How long might I expect the glass in this door to stay put as long as I don`t touch it?
Yes,
I understand there are many factors - but a guesstimate will do.
It poses no danger to the inside of the dwelling and we hope the inner panel doesn`t duplicate,
and no pieces have come away - just crazy.
M
anon47622
Post 24 Can tempered glass be used safely in wood burning stoves and fireplace screens?
Will extreme temperatures cause it to "explode?"
Related Topics
Tempered GlassTempered Safety GlassBuy Tempered GlassCurved Tempered GlassLaminated Tempered Glass
anon45679
Post 22 is tempered glass expensive?
anon42286
Post 21 What is the u factor and shading coefficient of 10 mm clear tempered glass and grey tint/bronze tint tempered glass?
Thanks.
Ads by GoogleGlass CarsA1 GlassLacobel GlassWhite GlassBuy Windshield Glass
anon40340
Post 20 you cannot cut tempered glass.
Related Topics
Tempered GlassTempered Safety GlassBuy Tempered GlassCurved Tempered GlassLaminated Tempered Glass
anon39623
Post 19 where can I purchase two pieces of 18" x 25" x 95" (5mm)
pyroceram glass?
anon39492
Post 18 Would it be a bad idea to clean my tempered glass refrigerator shelves in the dishwasher?
Will the temperature change from fridge to hot water possibly break them or should they be allowed to warm to room temp before putting them in the dishwasher?
I just hate the job of hand washing them.
anon36054
Post 17 Can tempered glass be cut without breaking it.
Related Topics
Tempered GlassTempered Safety GlassBuy Tempered GlassCurved Tempered GlassLaminated Tempered Glass
anon35627
Post 16 Outside table tops that are tempered shoud be fine during the winter.
The only concerns would be thermal shock (putting a pot fresh off the stove on to the glass),
or if the unit is a metal frame the metal may contract and pop the table top.
J - wholesale glass distributor
anon33730
Post 15 Anon28649,
the glass should pass the safety standards.
Should be tempered,
heat soaked and laminated.
-Pinoy
trebickailir
Post 14 Is there any difference between tempered glass and toughened glass?
If yes,
tell me what.
Related Topics
Tempered GlassTempered Safety GlassBuy Tempered GlassCurved Tempered GlassLaminated Tempered Glass
anon28649
Post 13 I was at a shopping center that had a glass balustrade all around the food court on the second floor that just cracked,
and fell down onto the lower levels.
It had BS class A written on it,
this appears very dangerous.
If it is so brittle children could run straight through it and fall to their death.
Is it normal practice to have a glass balustrade for protection at such height and what is the correct glass to use?
I will be forwarding a complaint to the building control officials in the local council authority before some kid dies from the stylish,
but dangerous glass.
Ads by GoogleBinswanger GlassAmerican GlassAdams GlassCover GlassBackpainted Glass
haykal
Post 12 can tempered glass and acrylic filters ultra violet radiation?
anon26817
Post 11 To:
anon25940 - Tempered glass will reveal stress waves when you view it through a polarizer.
Besides breaking the glass,
that`s the only way to determine if it is tempered.
To:
smaltzl - Once a glass is tempered,
that it,
you cannot cut it.
Related Topics
Tempered GlassTempered Safety GlassBuy Tempered GlassCurved Tempered GlassLaminated Tempered Glass
anon25940
Post 10 How can you tell if it is tempered glass or not?
smaltzl
Post 9 I have tempered glass panel from a sliding glass door.
If the frame is removed,
can that panel be cut to another size?
garyc
Post 8 what is the difference between tempered glass & low-e temp annealed glass,
argon filled?
Related Topics
Tempered GlassTempered Safety GlassBuy Tempered GlassCurved Tempered GlassLaminated Tempered Glass
anon13790
Post 7 With respect to the unexpectedly broken glass,
my guess is that the problem probably had to do with a structural defect in the window frame that exacerbated a previous defect in the glass itself.
It is possible that the glass broke because it was not properly fitted to its frame.
Without proper fitting,
repeated cycles of expansion of the frame (which might be wood or metal)
has built up stress in the glass.
A slight disturbance,
such as your opening the window shade,
might put the final "nail in the coffin" for this window.
Also,
sometimes older casement (hinged windows that can open like a door)
windows are not properly fitted into the window sash.
Thus,
you might close the window and flex the whole frame,
thus putting unexpected stress on the glass.
anon11575
Post 6 I had a strange thing happen to me.
I lower the shade to my bedroom window each nite,
a window which gets direct sunlight each morning.
One morning as I raised my window shade,
the window cracked.
The window was never stuck by anything from either inside or outside.
Please explain the cause of the glass break.
anon11268
Post 5 what is the thermal conductivity of tempered glass with 6mm of thickness?(tempered glass = side windows of cars and rear window)
Related Topics
Tempered GlassTempered Safety GlassBuy Tempered GlassCurved Tempered GlassLaminated Tempered Glass
anon10645
Post 4 Glass balcony person...if anyone has cleaned with "Dupont 409",
I heard,
but cannot verify easily,
it has an acid in it that etches glass...
If glass is etched...maybe it can be repolished or frame treated back to shiny?
or possibly laminated with a polymer...
I do know the olde University of Chicago library had glass blocks for flooring,
which was fun...and helped distribute light but over the decades of weary scholarship had all gotten scuffed beyond shiny.
Last stop for long-wearing glass issues:
Dark Mission--The Secret History of Nasa by Richard Hoagland.
Apparently there are very durable types of glass (anhydrous glass).
best wishes,
Sparky-Foam
anon8126
Post 3 I have a tempered glass balcony and it seems as though I can`t get them as cleaned as they first were put in.
Lots of film on them and tried cleaning with just about everything...
Please help with different options..
kathyp
Post 2 I have tempered patio furniture,
can it stay out during winter?
Related Topics
Tempered GlassTempered Safety GlassBuy Tempered GlassCurved Tempered GlassLaminated Tempered Glass
anon4980
Post 1 i have an outdoor patio table made of tempered etched glass and i`m wondering if it`s safe to leave it out all winter,
will the glass break if it freezes?
Post your comments
Post Anonymously
please enter the following code:
Login
username
password
forgot password?
or connect with facebook
Log In
Register
username
password
confirm
email
wiseGEEK
clear answers for common questions FAQ
Contact Us
Privacy Policy
Terms and Conditions
Copyright © 2003 - 2012 Conjecture Corporation