Glass Tempering, Tempered glass

Purchasing a high quality tempering furnace in 2007 with a capacity to temper glass with dimensions up to 3600*2400mm and thicknesses 4-19mm, Gapex becomes one of the leading companies in Armenia in the sphere of glass processing.

Tempered glass is normal float glass which is heat treated in a special tempering furnace under 650-750°C and then rapidly cooled down to room temperature by air. As a result, structural changes occur inside the glass and certain strains form in glass which increases mechanical durability of glass and also makes it safe in case of breakage. Thus, tempered glass gets temperature resistance for up to 180°C temperature fluctuations as opposed to regular float (75°C). Tempered glass is also 5-8 times higher stress resistant than regular glass. Any cutting or grinding must be done prior to tempering. Cutting, grinding, sharp impacts and sometimes even scratches after tempering will cause the glass to fracture.

Tempering makes glass a safer and a more secure material for construction. As a result of its safety and strength, toughened glass is used in a variety of demanding applications, including passenger vehicle windows, shower doors, architectural glass doors and tables, refrigerator trays, as a component of bulletproof glass , etc when safety is a concern.

Tempered gllass, if compromised, will break and shatter, splintering into small blunt pieces which are harmless. The stronger stress on toughened glass the smaller the pieces.

Manufacturing of frameless doors and glass constructions, glass partitions, shower enclosures, glass elevators and banisters need to meet international safety standards which requires application of tempered or laminated glass.

Main applications of tempered glass
• Facades
• IG units
• Green houses
• Ceilings
• Partitiions, curtain walls, banisters
• Doors
• Vehicle windows
• Refrigerator trays