How is toughened glass made?

Toughened glass is a popular choice for many homeowners modernising their properties, and for good reason.

Offering unmatched durability and aesthetic appeal and being incredibly versatile, it’s one of the best options for a range of different projects.

But how exactly is toughened glass made? The EGW experts walk you through the all-important process in this article.

What is toughened glass?

Put simply, toughened glass (also known as tempered glass) is a type of safety glass that gets its superior strength from a rigorous heat treatment process.

It’s up to five times stronger than typical annealed glass, and rather than breaking into large, sharp shards on impact, it shatters into small, blunt pieces to reduce the risk of injury.

So, how is it made?

There are three crucial steps involved in the toughened glass manufacturing process, including:

Annealed glass prep

First, a sheet of annealed glass must be properly prepped before the heating and cooling processes that follow.

This involves inspecting the glass for any imperfections that could hinder the toughening process and cause cracking or breakage, as well as cutting the sheet down to size, as it can’t be cut once the treatment is complete.

Heating

Once the annealed glass is fully prepped, it’s time to heat it up.

The sheet of glass is placed gently into a furnace and gradually heated to a high temperature (up to 650°C) to exceed its annealing point.

Quenching (AKA rapid cooling)

Once the glass has reached the required temperature, it’s removed from the furnace and cooled rapidly using blasts of cool air or water jets, in a process known as quenching.

This step creates a significant temperature difference between the surface and the interior of the glass; as the outer surface cools and hardens, the interlayer remains hotter and expands, preventing inward movement and creating compressive stresses on the surface.

What are the benefits of toughened glass?

Thanks to the process outlined above, there are many advantages to choosing toughened glass over standard, everyday glass.

These include:

• Increased strength and durability

As previously mentioned, toughened glass is up to five times stronger than other alternatives, thanks to the rapid heating and cooling treatment it endures.

This superior strength makes toughened glass highly resistant to impacts, and also means that it can withstand extreme temperature fluctuations, making it suitable for many different high-temperature applications.

• Enhanced safety

If toughened glass breaks (which is highly unlikely!), it shatters into small, blunt pieces rather than large, sharp shards, reducing the risk of cuts and other injuries and making it a great option for high-traffic spaces.

• Versatility

Toughened glass is suitable for a range of different applications, from high-rise building windows to kitchen splashbacks in the home, and makes a wonderful, modern addition to any space.

Order top-quality toughened glass products online!

Whether you’re incorporating toughened glass into your home or workplace, there are plenty of stunning products, including bespoke options, online that are guaranteed to elevate your interior.

The team at EGW have decades of experience creating toughened glass products for their customers and would be happy to help you find the perfect fit for your space.

Browse their options online today, or contact their friendly team for further information!

If you’re interested in incorporating toughened glass into your home or business, there are numerous options available for purchase online. Whether you’re looking for bespoke glass products for a specific application or ready-made solutions, you can find a wide range of top-quality toughened glass items that can be delivered right to your door. Many manufacturers, such as EGW, offer expert advice and can help you select the best glass for your needs, with custom sizing and styles available.