Shatterproof glass can provide significant improvements in home security. It has been widely applied in shops, schools, and business spots. What makes shatterproof glass resistant to impacts? This comprehensive guide will explore the mechanisms and different applications of shatterproof glass.
Note: Shatterproof glass can be used for home windows. Check our comprehensive guide on how to secure your home window for more information!
What is Shatterproof Glass?
Shatterproof glass, also known as safety or laminated glass, is designed to reduce the risk of shattering into dangerous shards when broken. It is typically composed of multiple layers of glass and a layer of plastic or resin sandwiched between them. This layered construction provides added strength and safety features.
When shatterproof glass is subjected to force or impact that would typically cause the regular glass to break into sharp pieces, it may crack or break in the shape of a spider web, but the plastic or resin layer holds the broken pieces together. This characteristic prevents the glass from shattering into sharp, dangerous fragments that can cause injuries.
Types of Shatterproof Glass
Polycarbonate glass and laminated glass are two popular types of shatterproof glass in the market. Each has its specialties and applications.
Polycarbonate Glass
Polycarbonate glass is not the same as traditional glass, but it is sometimes used as a shatterproof alternative in various applications due to its high impact resistance and strength. Polycarbonate, often called "PC," is clear and transparent thermoplastic. It can withstand high-energy impacts without shattering.
Laminated Glass
Laminated glass is a type of glass that consists of multiple layers of glass and interlayer made of plastic. This combination of different layers is bonded together by heat and pressure. Laminated glass is available in various colors and thicknesses and can be used for noise reduction, hurricane resistance, forced entry prevention, and blast mitigation.
Why Use Shatterproof Glass in Your Property
Shatterproof glass can add incomparable benefits to residential and commercial buildings. Let's check out some of the advantages of installing the shatterproof glass.
Enhanced safety
With shatterproof windows, you won't have to worry about breaking or shattering issues. The thermoplastic interlayer in the shatterproof glass is strong enough to withstand impacts more deadly than a basketball or a soccer ball. Furthermore, when laminated glass breaks due to a hit, the plastic interlayer holds the broken glass pieces together, preventing them from shattering into sharp, potentially dangerous shards.
Prevent forced entry
Installing shatterproof glass is one of the best ways to keep your home away from break-ins or burglaries. Because of different levels of material strength, the time of delaying forced entry ranges from 4 minutes to complete non-entry. The valuable period is enough to deter criminals, give people inside your property time to react, and wait for assistance.
Noise reduction
Shatterproof glass has sound-dampening properties, which can help reduce noise transmission from the outside. If you live on a busy street or near a noisy factory, this type of glass can effectively reduce the noise transmission and make your indoor environment more tranquil. The thermoplastic interlayer between the shatter-resistant glass is also a helpful soundproof material, making it useful for soundproofing applications, such as in homes, offices, and buildings in noisy environments.
Cost-saving
When you mount laminated glass over your existing glass, you turn a single-panel glass into a double-pane or a triple-pane glass. As we all know, thicker glasses lead to better energy storage capacity. Shatterproof glass can significantly save the cost of heating or using air conditioning.
UV protection
Shatterproof glass, especially laminated glass, can be manufactured with interlayers that block a significant portion of the sun's ultraviolet (UV) rays. Installing this type of glass helps protect interiors from UV damage and fading of furnishings and artwork.
Applications of Shatterproof Glass
The characteristics of the shatterproof glass enable it to be used in a wide range of scenarios, such as homes, offices, or other places.
Automobiles
Shatterproof glass is the best option for cars. It can be used in automotive, side, and rear windshields. It helps protect passengers from shattered glass in case of accidents or collisions.
Home
Homes located in areas prone to severe weather will benefit from shatterproof glass. For example, strong winds can blow rocks, branches, or other objects that hit ordinary glass windows and doors. But shatterproof glass can reduce this risk by holding broken glass still and avoiding shattering.
Shop
Shatterproof is also an ideal option for business scenarios. It acts as security windows and barriers to deter break-ins and protect valuable assets. When a criminal takes a tool and violently knocks on the glass, it can remain unbroken, thus making it impossible for the criminal to achieve his goal.
Animal enclosures or aquariums
Shatterproof glass can also be used for animal enclosures and aquariums. It provides clear visibility and allows visitors to view animals or aquatic life without distortion. Furthermore, shatterproof glass is more durable and resistant to impact than regular glass, making it suitable for enclosures where animals may come into contact with the glass or where the square needs to withstand environmental factors.
Shatterproof Window Film: How it Works?
Shatterproof window film is a transparent or nearly transparent material applied to glass surfaces to enhance their strength and safety. It is also called safety window film or security window film. It is designed to reduce the risk of glass shattering into sharp, dangerous shards when subjected to impact, such as during accidents, attempted break-ins, or severe weather events.
This film is applied directly to the interior surface of the glass window and doors and adheres to the glass through a strong adhesive backing. This bonding process creates a composite structure with the glass. In the event of a strong impact or breakage, the shatterproof window film holds the broken glass fragments together. Instead of shattering into sharp pieces that can cause injury, the glass remains bonded to the film, forming a spider-web-like pattern or staying in large, less dangerous pieces.
Shatterproof Glass vs. Regular Glass: What's the Difference?
When subjected to stress or impact, Shatterproof and regular glass differ significantly in their composition, strength, and behavior.
- Composition: Shatterproof glass is typically made by laminating multiple layers of glass with a layer of plastic or resin (often polyvinyl butyral or PVB) sandwiched between them. Regular glass, also known as annealed glass, is made from a single sheet of glass. It lacks the added layers or treatments found in shatterproof glass.
- Strength: Shatterproof glass is much stronger and more impact-resistant than regular glass. It can withstand high-energy impacts without breaking into sharp pieces. Standard glass is relatively brittle and shatters into sharp, potentially hazardous shards when forced or impacted.
- Safety and security: Shatterproof glass is designed with safety in mind. When it breaks, the plastic interlayer holds the broken glass pieces together, reducing the risk of injuries from flying glass fragments. Regular glass poses a higher risk of causing injuries when it shatters, breaking into sharp, pointed shards that can cut or pierce.
- Cost: Shatterproof glass tends to be more expensive than regular glass due to its added layers and safety features. Regular glass is more cost-effective and widely used in applications where safety and impact resistance are not a primary concern.
FAQs
Is shatterproof glass unbreakable?
No, it isn't. Shatterproof glass is designed not to break within a specific pressure range but will still break when the pressure exceeds a certain threshold.
Does shatterproof glass exist?
Yes, it does. Shatterproof glass is robust, composed of a thermoplastic interlayer sandwiched between glass panels. Though not truly "unbreakable," this type of security glass can withstand heavy, repeated impacts.
What is the difference between tempered glass and shatterproof glass?
Tempered glass is created through a specialized heat treatment process, which results in increased strength and thermal resistance. When tempered glass shatters, it breaks into small, relatively harmless, and blunt-edged fragments. Shatterproof glass, on the other hand, typically consists of multiple layers of glass and an interlayer of plastic, which holds broken glass pieces together, enhancing impact resistance and safety.
What happens when shatterproof glass breaks?
When subjected to force or impact, the shatterproof glass may crack or fracture, similar to regular glass. Instead of shattering into sharp, dangerous shards, the plastic interlayer holds the broken glass pieces together. The fractured glass may exhibit a spider web-like pattern, with cracks radiating from the point of impact. This pattern is a result of the interlayer preventing the glass from separating into individual pieces.
Conclusion
The shatterproof glass stands out for its security advantages and sturdy nature. It has been widely used in different scenarios and is a reliable protective measure for overall security. Have you heard of shatterproof glass before? How do you like it? Please keep us informed by commenting below and sharing it with your friends and family.
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