Introduction
Glass is a big deal in today’s buildings. It looks great, keeps places safe, and gets the job done. Two types really stand out: tempered and heat-strengthened glass. They’re tough, safe, and perfect for all kinds of projects. At GLASVUE, we make awesome tempered and heat-strengthened glass that fits what builders need. Let’s dive into what makes these glasses different, how we make them, what they’re good for, and why GLASVUE is the go-to choice for top-notch glass.
Glass Strengthening Technology Overview
Tempered Glass: What It Is and Why It’s Awesome
Tempered glass, or toughened glass, is a super-safe option made by heating and cooling glass in a special way. We crank the heat to about 650°C, then blast it with cold air real quick. This creates a layer of compressive stress on the surface while the interior remains in tension. The result? It’s four to five times stronger than regular annealed glass. It can resist strong impacts and temperature fluctuations. The best part? If it breaks, it turns into tiny, dull bits instead of sharp shards. That makes it a lifesaver in places where safety matters most.
Heat-Strengthened Glass: What It Does and Why It’s Cool
Heat-strengthened glass gets a similar heat-up but cools down slower. This makes it about twice as tough as regular glass, sitting in the middle between standard and tempered glass. When it breaks, it forms bigger, jagged cracks, so it’s not a safety glass like tempered. But here’s the kicker: it doesn’t have the tiny chance of suddenly shattering like tempered glass can. That makes it a solid pick for projects where steady performance is key.
GLASVUE’s Tempered and Heat-Strengthened Glass Solutions
GLASVUE has been in the glass game for over 30 years. We know our stuff. Using fancy tools like the Finnish Glaston dual-chamber forced convection tempering furnace and the Chinese North Glass tempering furnace, we nail the heating and cooling process. This gives us glass that’s strong and dependable every time. Whether you want flat glass or curved, GLASVUE makes it happen for all sorts of building and industrial jobs.
Production Processes for Tempered and Heat-Strengthened Glass
Making these glasses takes some serious care. Here’s how we do it:
- Smoothing Edges:We polish the glass edges to get rid of tiny cracks. Those could cause trouble during heating. Smooth edges make the glass tougher and prettier.
- Washing It Clean:We scrub the glass to remove any dust or dirt. A clean surface is key before moving on.
- Heating Up:The glass gets heated to around 650°C, just below its melting point, in a super-controlled furnace. We keep the temperature just right to avoid weird marks or flaws.
- Cooling Off:For tempered glass, we hit it with cold air fast to make a tough outer layer. Heat-strengthened glass cools slower, so it’s less stressed out.
- Heat-Soaking (If Needed):To stop tempered glass from breaking on its own, we sometimes heat it to 290±10°C. This catches tiny flaws like nickel sulfide bits before they cause problems.
- Final Steps:We clean the glass again, check it for quality, and pack it up carefully to meet tough industry rules.
GLASVUE’s got high-tech production lines and a huge 80,000-square-meter stash of raw glass. This keeps our quality steady and deliveries on time, no matter the project size.
Key Characteristics of Tempered and Heat-Strengthened Glass
Strength and Impact Resistance
- Tempered Glass:This stuff is super tough, four to five times stronger than regular glass. With surface stress over 90 MPa, it’s perfect for places that take a lot of hits, like windows or doors in busy spots.
- Heat-Strengthened Glass:It’s about twice as strong as regular glass, with stress between 24–69 MPa. It’s great for jobs needing decent strength without the worry of sudden breaks.
Safety Features
- Tempered Glass:If it breaks, it turns into small, blunt pieces. That’s way safer than sharp shards. It meets safety rules like GB 15763.5-2005 and ANSI Z97.1-2015, making it a top pick for risky spots.
- Heat-Strengthened Glass:It breaks into bigger, radiating chunks that stick together a bit. It’s not a safety glass, but in laminated setups, the pieces stay put, keeping things safe.
Heat Resistance
- Tempered Glass:It can handle temperature jumps of 200–300°C. That’s great for spots like curtain walls that get a lot of sun.
- Heat-Strengthened Glass:It deals with about 100–150°C, better than regular glass but not as tough as tempered in crazy heat.
Spontaneous Breakage Risk
- Tempered Glass:Tiny flaws, like nickel sulfide bits, can make it break out of nowhere, with a 0.1%–0.3% chance. GLASVUE cuts that risk to under 0.1% with careful heat-soaking.
- Heat-Strengthened Glass:With less stress, it doesn’t have this problem. That makes it a reliable choice for big projects needing long-term strength.
Applications in Architecture
Tempered Glass
Tempered glass is a star player for jobs needing strength and safety. Check out where it works best:
- Windows and Doors:It’s tough and safe, perfect for homes, shops, or offices.
- Railings and Balustrades:Keeps folks safe on balconies or stairs.
- Skylights and Canopies:Handles weather and impacts for overhead designs.
- Furniture and Partitions:Looks cool and stays strong in indoor spaces.
Its tiny chance of sudden breaking needs watching in big setups like curtain walls. GLASVUE’s heat-soaking keeps that risk super low.
Heat-Strengthened Glass
Heat-strengthened glass is great for projects where stability and safety are top priorities, especially when laminated:
- High-Rise Curtain Walls:No sudden breaks mean it’s perfect for tall buildings.
- Laminated Glass Bases:Used in curtain walls, skylights, or soundproof setups, it holds together if it cracks.
- Public Buildings:Awesome for busy spots needing strong, safe facades.
- Special Composites:Works with Low-E coatings or soundproof layers to save energy or block noise.
Why Choose GLASVUE’s Tempered and Heat-Strengthened Glass
Product Quality
GLASVUE’s all about doing things right. We stick to tough global and local standards, like:
- CCC (China Compulsory Certification):Shows we meet China’s safety rules.
- GB 15763.2-2005:Proves our laminated glass is safe and solid.
- AS/NZS 2208:1996:Australian standard for safety glass worldwide.
- EN 14449:2015+AC:2005:European certification for laminated glass.
- ANSI Z97.1-2015:American standard for high-performance glass.
Our top-tier gear, like the Glaston dual-chamber furnace and North Glass tempering furnace, makes sure stress is even and flaws are rare. With two tempering lines and a big raw glass stock, GLASVUE keeps quality high and deliveries on track.
Customization Options
GLASVUE gives you tons of choices:
- Flat and Curved Tempering:We do flat or bent glass for any design.
- Custom Work:Grinding, cutting, drilling, or edge polishing for your project.
- Glass Types:Pick from clear, ultra-clear, tinted, Low-E, reflective, colored glazed, or acid-etched glass for the right style and function.
Industry Know-How
With 30 years under our belt, GLASVUE has tackled big projects like Foshan West Railway Station and Guangfo New World. We’ve teamed up with major players like Vanke and Poly Real Estate. Our experience means every job hits top quality and performance marks.
GLASVUE’s Services and Support
Full-Service Help
GLASVUE’s got your back from start to finish. We help with design, keep things on track, and check in after installation. Our team does tough quality checks to match client needs and industry standards.
Expert Tips
Our tech folks give clear advice on picking glass, designing structures, or meeting local building codes. Got a skyscraper curtain wall or a small skylight? GLASVUE points you to the best fix.
Contact Information
Curious about GLASVUE’s tempered and heat-strengthened glass? Visit www.GLASVUE.com or reach out to our team. We’re pumped to work with architects, contractors, and developers anywhere.
FAQs
Q:What’s the main difference between tempered and heat-strengthened glass?
Tempered glass is four to five times tougher than regular glass and breaks into small, safe bits, so it’s a safety glass. Heat-strengthened glass is twice as strong, breaks into bigger chunks, and isn’t safety glass but skips the sudden-break risk.
Q:Why use heat-strengthened glass for curtain walls?
It’s got almost no chance of breaking on its own, so it’s great for tall buildings. In laminated setups, it stays put if cracked, keeping things safe.
Q:How does GLASVUE make sure tempered glass is top quality?3
We use high-tech furnaces, careful heat-soaking to cut breakage risks, and strict checks. Our glass meets standards like CCC, AS/NZS 2208:1996, and ANSI Z97.1-2015 for solid performance.
