Difference between Laminated and Toughened Glass

Usage of glasses has become so common during the recent few decades, especially for building skyscrapers and other buildings. For certain purposes, you need very strong glass. However, the strength of a glass will also increase the cost you have to pay for purchasing it. One of the most common uses of glass is making windscreens of vehicles. Since accidents are also common, the glass used in the windscreen needs to ensure your safety at all cost. The conventional glass use to break into thousands of tiny pieces when broken but modern laminated glass holds together. Some people believe laminated glass and toughened glass is the same thing but there are several differences between these two types of glasses.

Laminated glass is actually a layered glass, which do not break into bits when shattered. There is a layer of polyvinyl butyral (PVB) between two or more layers of glass which hold it into place after breaking, preventing large sharp pieces to form.

Also commonly known as tempered glass, toughened glass is a type of safety glass. It is processed under thermal and chemical treatments to increase its strength significantly from normal glass. When struck, toughened glass breaks into tiny granular chunks, rather than splintering into jagged shards. These granular chunks possess lesser chances to inflict any injury.

Instructions

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    Laminated Glass

    Laminated glass was first invented in 1903, with the idea to reduce the car-related injuries by making a combination of plastic and glass. It is mostly used in frameless glass doors in commercial buildings, windscreen and passenger windows of vehicles and skylights as well. The PVB used in laminated glass prevents it from breaking into pieces and improves the sound insulation as well. This type of glass is able to hold 99 per cent of ultraviolet radiations. However, laminated glass is very strong but not as strong as the toughened glass. This glass is also more expensive than tempered glass.

    Image Courtesy: todayifoundout.com

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    Toughened Glass

    Toughened glass is several times stronger than laminated glass and that is why it is often used as a safety glass. The thermal and chemical treatments given to tempered glass give more balance to the internal stress capabilities, adding toughness and strength to it. It is also cheaper than laminated glass. Since it breaks down into granular chunks rather than shards, it is less likely to cut a person.

    Image Courtesy: dongfa-glass.en.made-in-china.com

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