TempaFloat is thermally toughened safety glass manufactured by Metro GlassTech. Toughened glass is also known as tempered glass
TempaFloat is produced by cutting and processing sheets of glass
which are then loaded into a furnace which has a bed of oscillating
rollers. The glass is heated to a plastic state at around 650
degrees C.Then by computer control the glass is moved into the
quench area where it is rapidly cooled by a series of high pressure
air nozzles. This rapid cooling or quenching induces high
compression stress in the glass surface while the centre remains in
tension. Although the physical characteristics remain unchanged the
additional stresses created within the glass increase its thermal
and mechanical strength.
The Benefits of Tempafloat
Safety
In the unlikely event of TempaFloat breaking, it fractures into
small particles, significantly reducing the risk of injury.
TempaFloat is a Grade A Safety Glass in accordance with NZS 4223:
Part 3 and AS/NZS 2208 "Safety glazing materials in buildings".
Strength
TempaFloat has high mechanical strength and is 4 to 5 times
stronger than annealed glass of the same thickness due to the
stresses induced during toughening. It also has high thermal
strength when compared with annealed glass and can withstand a
temperature differential of 250 degrees C. It is stable in
temperatures ranging from -70 degrees C to 300 degrees C.
Mechanical Fixing
TempaFloat has high mechanical strength so can be used with
mechanical fixings such as patch, spider, hinge, disc, point and
countersunk fixing.
Security
TempaFloat is much harder to break than annealed float or
laminated glass; if broken it will not provide security, although
often the noise of breakage can be a deterrent.
Sound
TempaFloat has the same sound control performance as normal
annealed glass.
Solar Control
TempaFloat has the same solar control and UV elimination as
normal annealed glass.