Toughened Laminated Glass

Pro Lam Tuf, from Glass Projects, represents a superior safety glazing solution, combining the enhanced strength and thermal resistance of toughened (tempered) glass with the post-breakage safety characteristics of laminated glass. This product is manufactured by bonding two or more lites of toughened safety glass with one or more robust Polyvinyl Butyral (PVB) or SentryGlas (ionoplast) interlayers. The toughening process significantly increases the glass's mechanical strength (typically 4-5 times that of annealed glass) and its resistance to thermal stress. Should breakage occur, the toughened glass fractures into small, relatively harmless diced particles, which are then largely retained by the interlayer, maintaining the integrity of the panel.

Key attributes of Pro Lam Tuf include:

• Exceptional Strength & Safety: Offers a higher level of impact resistance and structural capacity than standard laminated annealed glass, coupled with excellent post-breakage fragment retention.

• Thermal Resistance: Capable of withstanding significant temperature differentials, making it suitable for applications with varying thermal exposures.

• Specific Break Pattern: The toughened glass component ensures a safer fracture pattern (small dice) compared to the sharp shards of annealed glass.

• Enhanced Security: Provides a formidable barrier against forced entry or accidental impact, particularly when specified with appropriate interlayer thickness.

• UV Radiation Filtering & Acoustic Dampening: Like Pro Lam, the interlayer blocks most UV radiation and offers improved sound insulation compared to monolithic glass.

Glass Projects specifies Pro Lam Tuf for architectural applications where the demands for strength, safety, and structural performance exceed those achievable with standard laminated glass or monolithic toughened glass. Its unique combination of properties makes it ideal for:

• Structural Glazed Balustrades: Particularly for frameless or point-fixed systems where the glass itself is a key structural element and must withstand significant loads and impacts.

• Glass Floors & Stair Treads: Provides the necessary strength and safety for pedestrian traffic, ensuring integrity even if a lite is damaged.

• Overhead Glazing in Demanding Locations: Suitable for large-span glazed roofs, canopies, and skylights, especially in areas with potential for higher impact loads or where greater structural integrity is required post-breakage.

• High-Impact Zones: Specified for areas requiring superior resistance to human impact, wind loading, or other dynamic forces, such as sports facilities or public areas.

• Security Glazing: Used in applications requiring enhanced protection against manual attack or accidental impact, offering a robust barrier.

• Specialised Facade Elements: Can be incorporated into curtain wall systems, frameless assemblies, and large doors where increased strength or thermal stress resistance is a design criterion.

Glass Projects’ technical team collaborates closely with architects and engineers to ensure Pro Lam Tuf is meticulously specified to meet the precise loading, safety, and aesthetic requirements of each project in New Zealand.