Toughened safety glass (TSG) – find manufacturers and suppliers

Toughened safety glass (TSG) is a special heat-treated glass that is significantly more resistant to bending, impact and thermal shock than normal float glass.

Due to the thermal tempering, it becomes a safety glass that breaks into small, blunt-edged crumbs in the event of breakage, thus greatly reducing the risk of injury.

Below you will find an overview of how toughened safety glass works as well as an overview of its use, its advantages and important information to bear in mind when using it:

How toughened safety glass (ESG) works:

1. Thermal toughening:
   ESG is toughened by heating it to over 600 °C and then cooling it quickly.
   This creates internal stresses in the glass.
   Tensile stresses on the inside, compressive stresses on the surface. These stresses make ESG several times more resilient than normal glass, especially against impact, bending and temperature loads.
2. Breakage behavior:
   In contrast to float glass, which breaks into sharp-edged shards, ESG breaks into small, blunt-edged chunks of glass.
   This minimizes the risk of injury considerably.
3. Thermal shock resistance:
   ESG can withstand temperature fluctuations of up to 200 K and is therefore ideally suited for kitchens, showers, facades or outdoor applications, for example.

Use of toughened safety glass (ESG):

ESG can be used universally - wherever mechanical or thermal stress can occur or low-injury breakage characteristics are required:

1. Interior fittings:
All-glass doors, sliding doors and swing doors.
Partition walls and room dividers.
Showers and shower cubicles.
Furniture glazing such as table tops, shelves and display cabinets.

2. Facades and outdoor areas:
Facade glazing in conjunction with laminated safety glass or insulating glass.
Balcony and terrace glazing.
Canopies, vestibules and glass railings.
Balustrades in combination with laminated safety glass.

3. Special applications:
Kitchen splashbacks, also in combination with lacquer or digital printing.
Fireplaces and oven doors, special heat-resistant variants.
Appliance glazing in household or industrial products.
Traffic and vehicle construction, e.g. side and rear windows.

Advantages of toughened safety glass (ESG):

• High mechanical strength. Shock, bending and impact resistance.
• High thermal shock resistance.
• Low-injury breakage behavior.
• Suitable for heavy-duty indoor and outdoor use.
• Can be coated, painted or printed.

Important notes on the use of toughened safety glass (ESG):

• ESG cannot be processed after tempering (e.g. drilling, cutting, grinding).
• All processing must take place before the tempering process.
• ESG alone does not provide fall protection - LSG with ESG component is required for such applications.
• With toughened safety glass, there is a risk of spontaneous breakage due to nickel sulphide inclusions - a so-called heat-soak test can provide a remedy, especially for safety-relevant applications.
• ESG can be installed in laminated or insulating glass.

Toughened safety glass (TSG) is robust, thermally toughened glass with high impact and temperature resistance, which disintegrates into harmless small pieces when broken, thereby greatly reducing the risk of injury. They are ideal for indoor and outdoor applications where safety, resilience and modern design are required.

Below is an overview of the most important points to consider when purchasing toughened safety glass (ESG):

When purchasing toughened safety glass (ESG), particular attention should be paid to the exact dimensions, processing and planned application, as the glass cannot be altered once it has been toughened. It is also important to ensure compliance with relevant standards such as DIN EN 12150 as well as quality, breakage behavior and any additional functions such as screen printing or coatings.

• Before purchasing, it is crucial to define the specific intended use and therefore the required properties:
• Will the glass be installed horizontally or vertically?
• Is it part of a door system, a partition wall, a façade, a shower area or a piece of furniture?
• Does it have to withstand additional thermal, mechanical or optical loads?
• The application determines the thickness, dimensions, processing and additional requirements.
• As toughened safety glass can no longer be cut or drilled after the toughening process, all dimensions and processing steps must be precisely planned and specified in advance.
• Errors in the processing steps lead to expensive replacement productions, as ESG cannot be subsequently adapted.
• Consideration of the standards and technical requirements is particularly important when using toughened safety glass in public spaces:
• DIN EN 12150: regulates the manufacture and testing of toughened safety glass.
• DIN 18008 for overhead glazing, balustrades etc.: Specifies additional safety-relevant regulations.
• Building regulations for fall protection or in public buildings.
• Attention must also be paid to thermal and climatic loads - toughened safety glass can break spontaneously in the event of strong, uneven heating, e.g. due to shadows cast on façades.
• A professional supplier should be able to provide test certificates or proof of stress distribution in the glass. As a rule, toughened safety glass panes must be provided with a marking stamp documenting the standard and the manufacturer.
• For particularly critical applications (e.g. overhead glazing), a so-called heat-soak test can be useful in order to minimize the risk of spontaneous breakage due to nickel sulphide inclusions.
• ESG can be equipped with additional functions as required:
• Privacy protection through satinizing, etching or printing.
• UV or infrared protection through special coatings.
• Anti-reflective or anti-glare coatings.
• Self-cleaning surfaces or hydrophobic coatings.
• These functions must be applied before the toughening process - subsequent changes are no longer possible.
• Despite its strength, toughened safety glass is sensitive to edge damage.
• It is therefore important to clarify how the glass will be transported and packaged when purchasing.
• Are there installation instructions or technical support from the manufacturer?
• Are the construction site logistics prepared for the sensitive goods?
• Incorrect handling can lead to breakage even before installation.
• Although toughened safety glass is more expensive than standard glass, it offers significantly higher safety and durability performance.
• A high-quality ESG insert pays for itself in the long term thanks to its safety, durability and low probability of breakage.
• References, compliance with standards and communication are key criteria when selecting a supplier.

Anyone who pays attention to quality, applicable standards, professional support and suitable additional functions when purchasing toughened safety glass (ESG) will receive a durable, safe and versatile glass product that meets the highest demands in architecture, interior design and technology.

Single-pane safety glass (ESG) can be purchased from various suppliers. You will find comprehensive information on manufacturers and suppliers of Toughened safety glass (ESG) around the world on Exportpages.