Fireproof glass, its types, fire characteristics, cutting and installation features

Glass is one of the most popular materials in construction. Being the main part of the window, it lets in sunlight while maintaining comfortable indoor conditions. It is used for glazing facades, decorative elements, dishes and even furniture are made from it.

In addition to classic window glass, the industry offers materials that are similar in appearance, but have much higher characteristics. One of the striking examples of such products is fireproof glass.

Varieties

The very concept of “fire-resistant glass” includes a wide range of materials that differ in production technology and purpose.
There is a distinction between glass that protects from high temperatures and glass that does not interfere with heat transfer, but protects the room from combustion products and prevents the spread of fire. The first is used in fire protection systems, the second in heating systems, for the manufacture of cooking surfaces and dishes. There are three main types of fire-resistant glass:

reinforced;
hardened;
compositional.

Wired fire-resistant glass can withstand loads associated with temperature changes due to the presence of a metal mesh inside. This solution makes it possible to provide the product with sufficiently high heat resistance, but noticeably limits the scope of its application due to low transparency. Such materials are widely used in fire protection systems.

The technology for producing tempered glass includes the procedure of repeated heating and cooling of the material (hardening). Both single-layer glass and multi-layer glass units are available for sale. In double-glazed windows, the space between the sheets is filled with a special transparent multi-component gel. These solutions are quite affordable in price and at the same time have good consumer characteristics.

Special mention should be made of composite heat-resistant glass. In a general sense, this is not glass, but glass ceramics. The material has a virtually zero coefficient of thermal expansion, which allows products made from it to withstand extremely high temperatures.

Are there any advantages to tempered glass?

Almost everyone has heard about tempered glass.
Do you know the benefits of tempered glass? The glass we see every day is a fragile material. If you do not handle it carefully, it crumbles into hundreds of sharp fragments of various shapes and sizes, which can easily injure you.

For safety, glass products are tempered. After the tempering process, glass acquires special properties.

Scope of application

Brands of heat-resistant glass are widely used in enterprises whose production processes involve high temperatures. The use of transparent material with good heat-resistant characteristics makes it possible to ensure continuous operation of components and assemblies, while guaranteeing the safety of operating personnel. Installing fire-resistant glass in doors and partitions separating production premises significantly reduces the likelihood of a fire occurring and spreading.

This material is also indispensable in everyday life, where there is high temperature, and it is impractical to use metal. A striking example is glass fireplace doors. It is convenient, a beautiful and functional fireplace will perfectly complement the interior of a residential building, it will also create an atmosphere of warmth and comfort. A door made of fireproof glass is beautiful and practical. It will not become a barrier to thermal radiation, while protecting the room from smoke and soot.

Fireproof glass can be found in the kitchen, among other things: kitchen apron, transparent doors of ovens and microwave ovens. Such solutions allow you to control the cooking process without having to open the door. Separately, we can recall the cooking surfaces of gas stoves; they allow you to distribute heat evenly, thereby helping to save energy resources.

Glass that is resistant to high temperatures is also used to make tableware. Transparent kitchen utensils are great for both open fire and oven cooking. Moreover, transparent dishes can be used in the microwave. An additional plus is that the glass surface is easy to clean.

What it is?

Heat-resistant furnace glass is an incredible advance in the development of glass production methods. Thanks to its composition and high-quality production method, it has:

good sound insulation - muffles internal noise in the furnace;
excellent strength - it is almost impossible to scratch or break it;
high thermal stability - does not lose its resistance during sudden temperature changes;
decent appearance - reliably watching the stove flame through it does not cause any discomfort;
long period of use;
guaranteed safety - sparks from the fire in the stove will not be able to penetrate into the room.

Other characteristics:

It can be single-layer or multi-layer, which determines the number of degrees it can withstand: the greater the number of layers, the higher the possible temperature gap (up to 1000°C);
Thickness is 4 or 5 mm, in some cases it can be thicker;
For a longer period of use, you can use the maximum traction mode;
It can have different external characteristics: transparent, colored, embossed, with a pattern.

Main characteristics

There are several indicators that determine the properties of fire-resistant glass.
They help determine whether the material is suitable for use for certain purposes and whether it complies with fire safety standards. Thermal expansion coefficient. This is a quantity that characterizes the degree of change in the linear dimensions of a substance when its temperature changes.

Heat resistance. This value determines the maximum temperature at which the material retains its properties. Ordinary tempered fire-resistant glass used in everyday life is guaranteed to cope with temperatures of 500-550 degrees. Short-term heating up to 760 (for single-layer glass) and 1000 (for multilayer glass) degrees is allowed.

Material thickness. The industry offers fire-resistant glass of different thicknesses. For household needs, material with a thickness of 4-5 mm is used.

The service life of fire-resistant glass directly depends on operating conditions. To ensure the maximum service life of borosilicate glass used in fireplace doors, it is advisable not to raise the flame temperature above 500-550 degrees; in this mode it will last several thousand hours. With increasing temperature, this figure decreases noticeably.

Advantages of tempered glass:

six times strength compared to raw;
flexibility and heat resistance of hardening;
safety in case of accidental impact.

Many people confuse tempered glass and glass ceramics. In fact, these are different things. Glass ceramics are as fragile and unsafe as plain raw materials. Glass ceramics are designed to withstand the temperature of an open fire and can be called fireproof.

Glass tempering process.

Before hardening, the product is cut to size and processed (grinding, drilling). After processing, the glass product must be clean and free from defects.

The hardening process takes place in a hardening furnace under automatic control and consists of two stages. The first stage is heating to a temperature of 670 degrees. During the heating process, the glass constantly moves, gradually heating up to the set value. Insufficient heating will lead to the destruction of the glass product. Prolonged heating leads to deformation.

The time spent in the oven depends on the thickness of the glass being tempered and is about 8-15 minutes. The second stage is sudden cooling. The glass product enters a special chamber, where the surface is cooled by air supplied perpendicular to the product, under pressure using a blowing grille. The cooling time in the second stage is the same as the heating time. Also, during the cooling process, special liquids are used to speed up the heat transfer process. Depending on the characteristics of the glass, its thickness, the parameters (temperature and heating rate, uniformity of cooling) of hardening change.

What temperature and load can it withstand?

The tempered glass product has increased resistance to vibration loads. It is not destroyed by accidental impacts, at the household level (impact strength is 6-10 times higher than that of ordinary glass). Hardening is 3 times stronger in bending. Tall all-glass partitions are made from it.

Operating temperature range from -150 °C to +300 °C. It is safely used for facade glazing.

How many degrees can tempered glass withstand? Simple can withstand temperature differences of only 40 °C. , and hardening - from 120 °C.

Once tempered, glass cannot be cut, drilled or otherwise processed.

What is made from hardening?

shower corners and cabins;
all-glass partitions;
stair and balcony railings;
frameless sliding glazing of gazebos;
table tops and shelves.

How to distinguish between hardened and regular.

Much has been written on the Internet about how to identify tempered glass. They offer to look through the glass surface at the light. Catch reflections, look at it through glasses, look for stains on the surface. Frankly, I don't understand how a person can tell if glass is tempered or not using these tips. There is a proven way - to physically impact the glass surface, thereby risking breaking.

Ask your suppliers to mark the product as “Tempered” to indicate that it has been tempered.

I think that now you know exactly the benefits of tempered glass.

How much does custom tempered glass cost?

You can order and buy a hardened product, countertop, shelf, shower screen by placing an order on our website or by calling.

The price of tempered safety glass varies depending on the thickness and complexity of the required product. One square meter of hardened product with a thickness of 4 mm costs from 80 Belarusian rubles per m2. Transparent glass to order, from which glass partitions and doors are made, 8mm thick costs from 140 rubles per m2. Ask a specialist for the cost of a matte, patterned or tinted product by calling the indicated phone numbers or ordering a call.

Fire glass markings

Most of the information regarding the characteristics of fire glass can be found from its labeling. Letters of the Latin alphabet are used for designation:

E – resistant to destruction;
I – has high resistance to heating to a critical temperature;
W – retains heat and does not allow heat to pass into the adjacent room.

The manufacturer guarantees the preservation of the declared characteristics for a certain time. Time in minutes is indicated after the letter marking. For a better understanding, you can consider examples:

EIW 60 – the product is resistant to destruction, resistant to heat and retains heat for 60 minutes.
EI 60 – resistant to destruction, prevents heating for 60 minutes.
EI 30 – resistant to destruction, prevents heating for 30 minutes.

The characteristics and testing methods of fire-resistant fire-resistant glass are regulated by GOST-33000-2014.

Soot on fireplace glass

The speed at which fire-resistant glass for fireplaces becomes covered with soot depends on several factors. Firstly, it depends on the specific fireplace model. In practice, it turns out that on some models the glass becomes covered with soot faster. Secondly, it depends on the draft of the fireplace. An important factor in the formation of soot is the fuel used for the fireplace. If there is a large amount of tree resins in the firewood, the degree of contamination of the fireplace glass increases.

Manufacturing Features

The production of fire-resistant glass is a complex technological process that includes constant monitoring at every stage. Production technology varies, it depends on the type and purpose of the material.

Borosilicates are used to produce inexpensive but high-quality types of fire-resistant glass. Quartz glass is more expensive. The components are mixed, melted, rolled. The resulting sheet material undergoes a cycle of specific production processes, consisting of chemical treatment, hardening, followed by high-temperature polishing. All this is designed to ensure the proper level of heat resistance and give the glass an attractive appearance.

Fire-resistant glass must undergo temperature tests, based on the results of which a product certificate is issued.

What temperature can regular glass withstand?

Externally, we can distinguish polished glass from unpolished glass. Patterned from ordinary sheet. Finally, colored glass from clear glass. Another thing is tempered glass or triplex. Externally, they are practically no different. But they have different properties and each is used to solve a specific range of problems. Let's take a closer look at what types of glass are used and for what?

Strained glass

Tempered glass has increased strength and resistance to temperature changes. Unlike ordinary glass, tempered glass is 5-10 times stronger in impact and 2-3 times stronger in bending. At the same time, tempered glass can withstand temperatures from –150 to +300 degrees, as well as temperature changes of up to 180 degrees (regular sheet glass - a maximum of 40 degrees). Another advantage of tempered glass is safety. With a strong impact, it shatters into small pieces with rounded edges, the diameter of which is 8-15 mm. Fragments that do not have sharp corners cannot cause damage. However, this only applies to thin glasses. Tempered glass of great thickness (from 19 mm) is almost impossible to break. Tempered glass is obtained by heat treatment. The glass is heated to 600-650 degrees, after which it is quickly cooled in air currents. The surface of the glass cools faster, which causes compressive stress on the surface and determines the properties of tempered glass. After tempering, glass is not suitable for machining. For example, cutting glass can easily damage it. Therefore, before tempering, the glass is given the required shape and size, and holes are drilled. Tempered glass is used for glazing, partitions, doors, glass railings, and staircases.

Triplex glass consists of three layers. Between two layers of glass there is a polymer film or special resin. It prevents fragments from flying away if the glass breaks. The fragments stick to the resin or film and remain in place. When hit, cracks form in the triplex, but the glass remains in place, in the frame. To produce triplex, special equipment is used. Bonding of layers occurs at high temperature and pressure. The result is a single, monolithic sheet. Triplex is safe for others. Glass of this type has high sound insulation and is successfully used in the glazing of facades, windows, cars and transport.

Solar control and heat-saving glass

A special coating can give the glass new properties. For example, reflect light, block ultraviolet radiation, absorb heat. These types of glass are used to conserve heat inside buildings and save energy. Heat-absorbing glass can be identified by its bluish or gray tint.

Glass and mirrors, mirrors for sale

To make mirrors, ordinary polished glass is most often used. However, it is possible to use heat-saving or tempered glass. Many companies today sell mirrors, but it is better to contact specialized workshops with a wide range of services. In addition to selling mirrors, they can also restore an old mirror or make a custom mirror of the desired shape and size.

When purchasing glass, pay attention to its quality. Good glass should be transparent, colorless, without iridescent or frosted spots. The presence of greenish or bluish tints is allowed, which does not change the light transmittance. As a rule, companies engaged in the sale of glass also provide glass cutting and processing services. Cutting and cutting glass on average increases the cost of a sheet by 30%. But it's better not to save money. Professionals will cut glass using modern equipment, which eliminates the possibility of glass damage during this operation.

Fireproof glass in stoves and fireplaces

Fireplaces and open stoves are increasingly being installed in country houses and even in apartments.
An open fire decorates a room, but it can also cause a fire. Here you cannot do without fireproof glass. This is an excellent material for fire protection. It is used to create transparent doors that do not allow flames to enter the room, but not only that, modern design solutions allow you not to be limited to small glasses; you can easily create a unique transparent fireplace. Regardless of the size of the door or the scope of the project, installing fire-resistant glass into the metal frame of a stove or fireplace requires care and attention to detail. There are a number of recommendations that must be followed during the work process. When determining the linear dimensions of structural elements, it is necessary to take into account the difference in thermal expansion of materials. There must be a gap between the frame and the glass into which the fire-resistant cord is laid. When installing glass, it is necessary to ensure uniform pressure on it from all sides. Under no circumstances should you seal the joints; this may cause cracks to form.

What does armored glass look like?

Armored glass

is a laminated
glass
, the layers of which are glued together with polymer films or filled with a special photo-curable polymer.
... At the same time, despite the thickness of the armored glass
, it remains transparent and practically indistinguishable from ordinary glass.

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Disadvantages of the material

It is worth remembering that most types of fire-resistant glass are fragile. When working with this material, shock loads and excessive pressure on its surface should not be allowed.

Fire-resistant glass is difficult to process. Many types of glass are not cut at all, or laser or hydraulic devices are used for cutting. Cutting it at home is extremely difficult. It’s better to measure several times to make sure the dimensions are correct than to try to fit the sheet to your needs.

When there is simply no other option other than cutting, a small grinder with a diamond wheel will come to the aid of the craftsman.

You must work with extreme caution, avoid excessive pressure, and constantly moisten the cut area with oil. Cutting glass with fire-resistant properties will be a long and dirty procedure, and no one can guarantee a positive result.

Works with glass

If you have already decided on the choice of glass suitable for your stove, for a longer service life, ensure it is properly cared for. Heat-resistant glass plays a protective role; the temperature inside the furnace reaches very high marks, so that soot residues may remain there. To clean them properly without damaging the glass, follow the tips below:

To avoid damaging the glass polish with hard sand particles, do not use abrasive cleaners that contain them. Clean with special products to avoid consequences in the form of scratches;
It is not recommended to clean when the glass has not yet cooled down after use. This can damage its protective layer.

Organization of cutting

If you choose to cut the glass to the desired size with your own hands, the ability to perform this action depends on its structure. If it is not hardened, it can be cut with a special glass cutter or a grinder and a segmented diamond blade. Let's consider an alternative cutting option using a grinder:

Take a grinder and a segmented diamond disc for stone processing (it is better to use the one with the smallest diameter for ease of use), you will also need water or oil;
Determine the exact dimensions of the intended glass, draw lines on it along which you will cut for convenience;
Begin cutting carefully without performing strong pressing movements;

Glass cutting
Constantly wet the cut areas with water or oil to remove debris and keep the work area cool.
Be prepared for the area to be messy when the job is completed.

Do-it-yourself oven installation

When installing yourself, you should follow all safety rules and take into account the following nuances:

Do not exceed these expansion coefficients and use correctly selected frame material. To do this, you can lay a fire-resistant cord between the glass and the mounting base;
The pressure of the installed parts on the glass surface must be the same at all fastening points;
Attaching heat-resistant glass to the oven frame must be done very carefully; the use of heat-resistant sealant is prohibited;
To eliminate the possibility of uneven overheating of the oven, the glass should not be allowed to be in direct contact with the oven frame and fastening elements.

Review of interesting models

And now - a short review of glass pans that deserve attention. Get acquainted with these models to get an idea of the modern range and manufacturers. And don't forget to browse online stores to see what's new.

The brown round saucepan for the Pasabahce microwave with a frying pan lid is made of heat-resistant glass. Capacity: 2.1 liters. The maximum operating temperature is 300 degrees, the minimum: –30. Can be washed in the dishwasher. Suitable for oven and freezer.

A small glass pan for the Fissman Ptanzo induction cooker with a bottom diameter of 14 cm and a volume of 1.2 liters is also suitable for a gas burner, but it is better to arm yourself with a divider to protect the magnetic “pancake”. Otherwise, it will burn and lose its attractiveness. The induction bottom makes it possible to use without an adapter. The lid is made of tempered glass.

A pan made of heat-resistant VITROMAX glass ceramics with a transparent glass lid is suitable for all types of stoves, including gas. Brand: MAXWELL & WILLIAMS (Australia).

The “Vasilevskoye Glass” set from a Russian manufacturer is attractive due to its price. The set includes two thick-walled heat-resistant glass pans with lids that can be used as independent dishes. The set is suitable for microwave and oven.

Heat-resistant saucepan with a lid Simax Classic with a grooved bottom with a capacity of 3.7 liters is suitable for the microwave, oven and electric stoves. For gas you need to use a flame spreader, and for induction you need an adapter. The multi-tasking cookware can be used for boiling, stewing, baking and baking.

Advantages and disadvantages of glassware

Heat-resistant glass pans will not completely replace other cookware, as it has not only attractive advantages, but also significant disadvantages.

Positive properties:

Inertia. Glass does not come into contact with food; it is not afraid of salts, acids and alkalis. In such dishes, dishes will never acquire any foreign taste or smell. Feel free to prepare the most sour sauces and vegetable soups, salt fish and marinate meat.
Transparency. Through the transparent walls it is good to observe the preparation, control the boiling intensity, consistency, color and other parameters of the dish.
Absolute resistance to corrosion. Rust does not appear on glass pans; they are not afraid of prolonged interaction with water and drops on the surface, like cast iron and steel.
Smoothness and absence of pores. Nothing sticks to the surface or burns, and if this happens, washing the vessel will not be difficult.
Easy to care for. Glass utensils can be washed with any detergent. As a rule, dirt is simply removed with hot water and a soft sponge. Dishwasher safe.
Low temperature resistance. Heat-resistant glass pans can be placed in the freezer. This is convenient if you cook in advance and freeze ready-made meals.

However, there are also weaknesses :

Low thermal conductivity. Glass does not heat up like metals, so cooking takes longer and high temperatures inside large pieces of food are more difficult to achieve.
Fragility – glass can easily break if dropped on a tile or concrete floor. You should not use metal spoons and ladles so as not to accidentally hit the walls or bottom.
Fear of temperature contrast. A glass pan should not be subjected to sudden changes in temperature - place cold dishes on a hot burner, and from the stove or oven on a cold surface or in water for rapid cooling.
Heavy weight. Dishes made of thick glass are heavier than similar shaped ones made of stainless steel or thin aluminum. It is not always convenient to store in the refrigerator.

Instructions for using heat-resistant cookware

In order for a heat-resistant glass pan to serve for a long time, and for cooking to be a pleasure, it is important to follow the operating instructions. Study the manufacturer's instructions and take on useful tips:

Select the diameter of the burner according to the diameter of the bottom. This is important to avoid wall cracks, achieve uniform cooking and save energy.
Always use a divider if you are not sure that the glass will withstand contact with an open burner.
In a gas oven, the broiler should be placed on a baking sheet or frying pan, not on a wire rack.
Do not expose glassware to temperature changes. Do not place a cold container on a hot burner or in a hot oven.
Do not place an empty glass container on the stove - there should always be water or fat . Do not cook products without liquid.
Stir foods often during cooking, and if they are thick, do this even more often.
Avoid metal utensils; careless movement can break glass. The ideal choice is silicone spoons, skimmers and spatulas.
Try to fill the thermal glass pan more than two-thirds full so that the sides do not remain empty.
Avoid scratches - damaged products should not be used for cooking.

The use of glass pans is not limited to preparing hot dishes. They are convenient to use for assembling and storing cold soups, okroshka, salads, pie fillings and dough. Broths, cabbage rolls, and meatballs are often frozen in such containers. You can salt fish, prepare minced meat, sauces and much more.

When choosing a new glass pan in the store, do not forget to check its capabilities and compare them with your stove and tasks. Otherwise, disappointment cannot be avoided.

What dishes are suitable for the oven?

Electric ovens are becoming increasingly common in modern kitchens. These are quite complex systems with bottom and top heating, grill and convection, and a microwave function. There is also traditional gas equipment, which is heated by a burner with an open flame in the lower part of the compartment. In any case, the usual frying pans and pots are not intended for them.

When choosing cookware, pay attention to the material, shape and wall thickness. As for thickness, the average value for dishes that can be used in the oven is 0.6-0.8 cm. You need to know that the larger this value, the better the product accumulates heat. The walls accumulate it, distribute it evenly, and then release it for a long time. As a result, cooking is not completed when the heat supply is turned off. Products “languish” and remain warm longer. Thin-walled containers are good for dishes that require short cooking.

How many degrees can a glass cup withstand?

The melting point of inorganic glass is very high, ranging from 800 to 1400 degrees, the maximum temperature reached by ordinary household heating products cannot make the glass melt or even impossible to soften the glass. So please feel free to use. But be careful, glass breaks easily if heated unevenly. For example, if a thick glass suddenly fills with hot water in a cold environment, the glass will break.

This is due to stress caused by thermal expansion and cold contraction. Theoretically, the thinner the glass, the less likely it is to crack under uneven heat and cold conditions.