Difference Between Tempered and Annealed Glass

Tempered glass is much harder & stronger than annealed or normal glass. In general, tempered or heat-treated or glass is four times stronger & harder than annealed glass. Tempered glass can’t cut or drill but Annealed glass can be cut, edge finished, and drilled any time.

What is Annealed Glass?

Annealed Glass, is a standard and softer glass that has been treated thermally internal stresses. Annealed glass breaks into big lines, which can cause significant injury.

What is tempered glass?

Tempered glass breaks or glass shattered into small pebble-shaped like car’s glass after the accident. Tempered glass is always called safety glass. It’s more expensive than comparing with annealed glass.

In the tempering process, the glass is heated to about 1100 degrees Fahrenheit and then cooled quickly with cold air. This process strengthens the glass’s outer layer and helps it to withstand pressures without breaking into pieces.
Even if it breaks, it shatters into tiny pieces which will not cause not serious injury while comparing to large and sharp-edged glass pieces. This is the main reason why tempered glass is also called safety glass.

Pros of tempered Glass:

Strength:

Tempered glass can withstand surface pressure up to 10000 psi, which is four times stronger than normal non-tempered glass. Moreover, these glasses can resist up to 470 degrees Fahrenheit which makes them perfect for the kitchen and bathroom, where it’s under contract with the heat on a daily basis.
Safety:
This process of thermal tempering makes it stronger than ordinary glass. Another plus point is that tempered glass can also withstand strong winds, minor explosions blow and bumps impacts. Tiny pebbles of broken safety glass are unlikely to even scratch you as they end up as rounded cubes rather than pointy shards making them far safer than the sharp-edged glass broken glasses.

Durable:

This process that toughens the glass also makes it scratch-resistant which is why it’s commonly used in kitchens, mobile screen protectors, the window of vehicles, glass doors, and interior decors.

Thermal Stability:

Tempered glass has good thermal stability and can withstand the temperature difference as similar to 3 times the ordinary glass, can withstand 200 ℃ temperature difference

Cons of Tempered glass:

Spontaneous Glass Failure (Very rare):

This process of tempering gives the glass a compressed strength which is also the reason for it shatter out of nowhere. Tiny insertions in the glass may expand when exposed to high temperatures which is the reason the glass windows shatter when exposed to direct sunlight for too long. One time use only:
Tempered Glasses cannot be reshaped or cut into different shapes as they will shatter on trying to do so. Making it only on time useable.