Italian non-professionals are often gripped by doubt when it comes to the thermal toughening of glass: is the correct word “temperato” or “temprato”? Our short science deepening on one of the most incredible materials on our planet starts right here, with a definition.
Because when you wish to prove you know something, words matter. The most appropriate word is “temprato”, because we are talking about glass that has been subjected to heat treatment – known as “tempra” or tempering – to improve its strength and flexibility.
However, the term “temperato” is not entirely wrong as it derives from the English expression “tempered glass”.
You are free to use the term you wish, because the production process is the same, but now at least you will be able to support your decision.
How temperature affects the properties of glass
As mentioned, the process of thermal tougheningis precisely to change the mechanical properties of the glass surface. Being an amorphous material, glass has no set structure, and therefore its physical properties depend directly on temperature.
At high temperatures, it is ductile, plastic and malleable; at lower temperatures, the surface is harder and more transparent.
To understand the properties of glass from a physical point of view, we need to analyse its thermal history, i.e., how it has been cooled after heat treatment. If the glass is cooled too quickly it will be more fragile.
Factors affecting the hardness of glass
Like the physical properties of glass, which depend on various factors, the hardness of glass has no set value.
When it comes to thermal toughening, we already know that this is a process that makes glass stronger and harder.
In general terms, the hardness of glass is determined using the Mohs scale, which compares a number of minerals. On this scale, glass ranks between apatite and quartz, that is, between level 5 and 7. But to determine its precise level of hardness, it is necessary to analyse its composition.
In our facilities, we work on the structure of glass to produce exactly what we want: the more specific the customer's requirements, the greater the chemical and physical treatments that enable us to deliver a product exceeding all expectations.