Tinted tempered glass is safety glass that has been both colored during manufacturing and strengthened through a controlled thermal or chemical process. This results in a glass that is more resistant to breakage than standard glass and, if broken, shatters into small, relatively harmless fragments. The tinting process adds color pigments to the raw materials during manufacturing.
Here's a more detailed breakdown:
Tinting Process:
- Pigment Addition: The glass is tinted by adding color pigments to the raw materials while it's in a molten state during the float glass manufacturing process.
- Color Variety: Common tints include bronze, gray, dark gray, green, blue, and blue/green. Non-standard colors may also be available, depending on the manufacturer. This allows for a customized aesthetic.
Tempering Process:
- Strengthening: Tempered glass is created through a controlled thermal or chemical treatment. The thermal process involves heating the glass and then rapidly cooling it.
- Safety Feature: This tempering process makes the glass significantly stronger than annealed glass.
- Safe Breakage: When tempered glass breaks, it shatters into small, blunt fragments instead of sharp shards, reducing the risk of injury.
Key Characteristics of Tinted Tempered Glass:
- Enhanced Strength: Significantly stronger than standard glass.
- Safety: Shatters into small, relatively harmless pieces.
- Reduced Glare: The tint helps to reduce glare from sunlight.
- Heat Absorption: Tinted glass absorbs a portion of solar radiation, which can help reduce heat gain inside buildings.
- Aesthetic Appeal: Provides a wide range of color options for design flexibility.
- UV Protection: Can offer some level of UV protection, depending on the specific tint and formulation.
Common Applications:
- Automotive Windows: Side and rear windows in cars.
- Building Facades: Used in windows and curtain walls to reduce glare and heat gain.
- Shower Doors: Provides safety and privacy in bathrooms.
- Tabletops and Shelves: Offers a durable and safe surface for furniture.
- Commercial Refrigeration: Doors and panels in display cases.
- Glass railings: Provides a safety barrier with an aesthetic look
In summary, tinted tempered glass combines the safety and strength of tempered glass with the aesthetic and functional benefits of tinted glass, such as reduced glare and heat absorption.
