Video of Tempered Glass Failure

Read Consulting glass failure experts filmed in real-time the failure of a 7' x 1' u-shaped piece of tempered glass. The objective was to demonstrate how rapidly the glass falls apart and to assess the danger to one standing underneath a failed piece of tempered glass.

Tempered glass self destructs once its compressive layer has been penetrated by a defect. In the case as shown by the attached videos, a center punch was used to create a defect which penetrates into the tensile portion of the glass.

Once in the tensile region, the speed of the actual defect (crack) is in excess of 8,000MPH. To the normal eye, the glass piece fails almost instantly. Basically, it self destructs into thousands of small diced pieces as intended.

Therefore, one would expect the failed glass to be safe. However, as one can see by the video, these pieces can remain interlocked and can fall as large interlocked "chunks." Naturally these chunks have the potential to injure anyone underneath.

Thus, in this configuration, tempered glass cannot be considered "safety-glass." Showing that there is risk involved with having tempered glass elevated above public access walkways, etc.

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• glass
• failure
• public
• safety

[wph1138]

That was not a Failure. Tempered Glass is made to break like that. He hit it on the edge triggering a controlled break not a failure. Im a glass guy and make and install glass. this demo means nothign at all.

[Chirimorin1]

everyone: read the friggin' video description!

[rmtglass1]

Nice video

[ironnica]

@rey112591 As far as I'm aware it's safety glass in the shape of the glass that fragments. If you look closely tho, regarding your point, at approx 0:14 glass can be seen to go towards his face. No glass is fully safe, but yeah, he is grand

[jvoltron]

@wph1138 sure it means something....Dont bump the glass on its edge.......duh

[rey112591]

i am confused, you say the glass is not considered as "safety glass"... but the one hammering the glass stay very closed and not wearing safety protective suite except the eye gagles & gloves wear only at the left hand. It seems he is okay not sustaining any bruises.

[xNapalmFlamex]

No, a break in the glass results in the network of stress lines from the tempering process breaking causing mass shattering of the glass. Think chain reaction.

[thegorilla30]

actually ur both wrong. tempered glass can shatter being hit at the sides but only the inside shatters. the outerlayer keeps the glass from "exploding" this was clearly not tempered glass, or not made properly

[starwarsfinatic123]

Fake! that glass only breaks at the side i agree with u!!