Hot Bending Glass and Tempered Glass

• Process:

  • Heating flat glass until it becomes soft.
  • Shaping the glass over a mold or using gravity.
  • Annealing the glass to cool it slowly and relieve stress.

• Characteristics:

  • Can be shaped into a wide variety of curves and complex forms.
  • Maintains the optical clarity and properties of the original glass.
  • Can be further processed, such as being laminated, frosted, or colored.
  • Not necessarily tempered, so it might not have the same strength or safety features as tempered glass unless specifically treated afterward.

• Applications:

  • Architectural features like curved facades, balustrades, and canopies.
  • Artistic and decorative installations.
  • Custom furniture, such as curved glass tables or shelves.
  • 

Curved tempered glass is a type of glass that is first curved through a process similar to hot bending and then tempered to increase its strength and safety. Tempering involves reheating the glass to just below its softening point (around 620°C or 1148°F) and then rapidly cooling it. This process puts the outer surfaces of the glass into compression and the inner surfaces into tension, significantly increasing its strength and making it much more resistant to impact and thermal stress.

• Process:

  • Glass is first heated and curved using the hot bending process.
  • The curved glass is then tempered, creating a safety glass that is stronger and safer than regular glass.

• Characteristics:

  • Up to 4-5 times stronger than regular, non-tempered glass.
  • If broken, it shatters into small, blunt pieces rather than sharp shards, reducing the risk of injury.
  • Retains the curved shape with added safety features.
  • Can withstand higher thermal stresses, making it suitable for exterior applications.

• Applications:

  • Automotive industry (windshields, side windows, sunroofs).
  • High-traffic areas in buildings where both curved design and safety are paramount (e.g., glass railings, partitions, facades).
  • Shower enclosures, curved doors, and windows in residential and commercial spaces.