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Tempered glass (also known as toughened glass) is an extremely strong glass which has been thermally heat treated to induce compressive stresses of 10,000 to 20,000 psi on the surfaces and edge compression of not less than 9700 psi.

Tempered glass is being used increasingly in architecture because of its strength and safety properties. It is usually installed in areas where safety glass is required to reduce the possibility of mechanical or thermal breakage and/ or to assure greater uniform load strength. Worldwide the use of Tempered glass or Safety glass in general has been mandated by building codes. These codes are also made for India and are in the process of being mandated.

Cut to size glass sheets are electrically heated in the furnace where it oscillates back and forth on rollers till glass reaches temperature of about 650°C. After heating, the glass is conveyed to a quenching chamber where it is cooled rapidly by a blast of air, blown through nozzles, on both sides of the glass.

Characteristics of Tempered Glass:

Strength: Toughened (or Tempered Glass) is four to five times stronger than its equivalent thickness of normal annealed float or sheet glass.

High Thermal Shock Strength: Tempered Glass provides greater thermal strength. It offers increased resistance to both sudden temperature changes and temperature differentials up to 240°C compared to normal annealed glass which can withstand temperature differentials up to 40°C only.

Safety: Tempered Glass is very difficult to break but even on breakage, it will break into small, relatively harmless fragments. This substantially reduces the likelihood of injury to people as there are no jagged edges or sharp corners which are normal in the case of breakage of annealed glass. Due to the inherent superior features of Tempered Glass, like more strength, ability to withstand sudden impacts and breaking into small pieces, it is considered as a safety glazing and so in most countries, use of Architectural Toughened Glass is mandatory for entrances in public areas or where it is to be used by general public.

Others: The Tempering process on normal glass does not alter the light transmission and solar radiant heat properties of the glass. Tempered glass cannot be further cut, ground, drilled or worked upon. Tempered Glass is prepared by completing prior to its tempering, all such works in accordance with drawings, sizes or templates.