Glossary A–ZLetter S
Safety glass
Safety glass is glass manufactured so that it does not form large, sharp-edged shards when it breaks, which reduces injuries.
On screens, it serves as a protective pane in front of the panel. Two types are common: toughened safety glass and laminated safety glass.
Toughened glass is tempered by heating and rapid cooling. It is more impact-resistant than ordinary glass and shatters into many small, blunt granules when it breaks. Laminated glass consists of several panes with a tough interlayer between them; if it breaks, the fragments stick to the interlayer and the pane stays in one piece. Protective glass is found on outdoor screens, totems, terminals and screens in schools, sports halls or waiting areas.
Every additional pane brings reflections; an anti-reflective coating or bonding glass and panel without an air gap helps against them. Toughened glass cannot be cut or drilled afterwards. In front of a touchscreen, the glass must suit the touch technology. Where there is a high risk of damage, operators should also look at the impact resistance class, which is given by the IK code.