5 Products You Didn’t Know Were Made Of Toughened Glass

Toughened glass is a common sight in today’s world as manufacturers use the material in more products. The advantage of toughened glass cannot be exaggerated enough when it comes to safety. Toughened glass is designed to withstand significantly more pressure and abuse than annealed surfaces. The thermal tempering process that results in toughened glass increases the mechanical resistance of the material, which offers several benefits for users. This high resistance gives the material predictability when it breaks, which is one of the reasons it has become useful in a myriad of industries. You may know some common products such as windows, doors, shower enclosures and balustrades that are made with toughened glass, but its applications stretch further than most people realise.

Microwave and Oven Doors

These surfaces have to endure a significant amount of heat in their lifetime; hence, the need for a unique material. Toughened glass will resist thermal breakage, which is the biggest threat that an oven or microwave presents. The extremely high temperatures in the appliances demand a material that can provide protection without breaking. A microwave is especially hazardous when designed with a substandard door because it emits radiation. With toughened glass, manufacturers ensure that the waves remain inside the chamber because the material maintains stability even at temperatures as high a 250°.

Pint Glasses

This type of glassware has to face a lot of harsh treatment for a prolonged period. Pint glasses get slammed on counters, clinked as people celebrate and even dropped by those who are too drunk to see straight. All this abuse requires pint glasses to be strong enough to handle the pressure, thus the use of tempered glass. Besides reducing the cost of replacing pint glasses all the time, the material makes it safe for people to use. The risks of breakage are very high in these environments, and when it happens, toughened glass breaks into tiny pieces, thereby reducing the chances of individuals getting hurt.

Furniture

The use of glass in furniture provides homes and offices with beautiful products that are functional and strong as well. Shelves, coffee tables and dining furniture are made of tempered glass to provide long lasting service and safety. Furniture that has an all glass finish has to deal with the exposure to shocks that the surface is subjected to when using it. Also, there are the variations in temperatures that furniture has to deal with when the weather changes. These aspects can be devastating for annealed glass but not for tempered surfaces. When getting glass furniture, always factor in the exposed edges and ensure that they get a proper finishing.

Solar Panels

Solar panels are exposed to risks such as the fluctuations in temperatures that the glass has to deal with. When there is uneven heating due to sunlight, expansion and contraction occur at different rates, which places stress on the glass. Then there is the shock of debris from trees hitting the panels. In case of a hailstorm, solar panels have to deal with the shock and vibration effects. All this requires the glass used on solar panels to be robust and resistant to breakage; hence, the use of toughened surfaces. Tempered glass has the power to withstand the shifts in temperature and prevent thermal breakage.

Diving Masks

Divers encounter increases in pressure as they approach the bottom of the ocean floor, which requires diving masks to be strong enough to handle the stress. Tempered glass also ensures that diving masks don’t break from contact with flora and fauna as you dive. The masks also have to be resistant to scratches to maintain clear visibility, making toughened glass the most suitable material for their construction.

You can order toughened glass from Express Toughening today.