Beyond construction, tempered glass finds its way into various industries, including automotive, electronics, and furniture design. In the automotive industry, for instance, tempered glass is widely used for windows and sunroofs due to its strength and safety features. Similarly, in furniture design, tempered glass tables and shelves provide a sleek, modern look while ensuring safety and durability.
Float glass itself, invented in the mid-20th century, involves a process where molten glass is floated on molten tin to create a smooth, uniform sheet. The addition of colorants to this process transforms the ordinary into the extraordinary. Colorants, derived from metal oxides, are infused into the molten glass, producing a multitude of hues. Common colorants include cobalt for blue, chromium for green, and manganese for violet. The beauty of coloured float glass lies not only in its vivid colors but also in its ability to interact with light, creating dynamic visual effects that vary throughout the day.
The manufacturing of tempered glass involves heating the glass to over 600 degrees Celsius and then cooling it rapidly. This process increases the glass's strength and makes it more resistant to impact and thermal shock. As a result, when tempered glass breaks, it shatters into small, blunt pieces rather than sharp shards, reducing the risk of injury. These qualities make tempered glass an ideal choice for a plethora of applications, ranging from buildings and facades to shower doors and glass furniture.