There are a number of different types of glass that are marketed as "protective glass" or "safety glass". They all have their advantages and disadvantages. Here we answer the most frequently asked questions about glass, safety glass, protective glass and our products. Please write to us if you cannot find the answer to your question here. If you are professionally involved in construction and safety, we would like to invite you to one of our free seminars in which we demonstrate the strengths and weaknesses of different types of glass.

What is Hammerglass^®?

Hammerglass^® is a wear-resistant and optically clear polycarbonate pane that is 300 times stronger than conventional glass and almost unbreakable. Hammerglass panes are coated with a hard layer of silica that protects the panes against scratches and wear. The surface treatment also offers 99.96% UV protection, which prevents Hammerglass panes from fading or becoming opaque over time. Hammerglass does not contribute to the spread of fire in the event of a fire.

What is polycarbonate?

Polycarbonate (PC) is a tough, transparent thermoplastic with exceptional strength. Polycarbonate is sold under the brand names Hammerglass, Lexan, Makrolon, Saphir, among others. The individual makes and brands differ in the purity and surface coating of the panes, among other things. Without a surface coating, PC scratches easily and also begins to yellow after about six months. Many surface coatings are primarily a protection against yellowing.

What is Plexiglas^®?

Plexiglas^® is one of several brand names for the acrylic plastic polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA). In everyday language, however, Plexiglas is mostly used (incorrectly) for plastic panes in general. Acrylic plastic is sensitive to acids, acetone and other solvents. Acrylic plastic can be distinguished from Hammerglass in that it cracks when bent or struck - unlike Hammerglass, which bends without cracking. Furthermore, Acrylic glass burns, while Hammerglass extinguishes itself when lit.

What is safety glass?

Glass which prevents or effectively minimises the risk of personal injury upon contact shall be referred to as personal safety glass, in practice as safety glass.
Classification DIN EN 12600 and DIN EN 356, P1A to P5A.

What is protective glass?

Glass that protects against vandalism, bullets, intrusion, burglary, explosions and blasts, water pressure, electromagnetic radiation, X-rays, fire, sound pressure and UV radiation should be referred to as protective glass (after the English term “safety glass”).
Classification DIN EN 356, P6B to P8B.

What is tempered glass?

Tempered glass is up to five times stronger than normal glass. Such glass shatters into a multitude of small shards - anyone who has ever dropped a Duralex glass on the floor will know this. However, the shards are not sharp. This also explains why tempered glass is used for side windows in cars. The advantages of tempered glass are that it is relatively cheap and easy to install. The disadvantages are that it has to be ordered to size because it cannot be cut after it has been tempered, which leads to long delivery times. Tempered glass is also not particularly reinforced. A blow with a sharp or pointed object is usually enough to shatter the window.

What is laminated glass?

Laminated glass consists of two or more panes of glass that are "glued" together using a film. This type of glass is sometimes referred to as "lamella glass" and incorrectly as "armored glass". Laminated glass can be very thick, which together with the tough interlayers makes it a reinforced glass - even bulletproof if thick enough. Laminated glass panes are relatively expensive to buy and difficult to install. The big disadvantage, however, is that laminated glass - unlike hammer glass - is easy to break (even if it doesn't shatter), making it an expensive material for exposed areas.

What is protective film safety glass?

Normal pane glass can be coated with a protective film on one or both sides. The big advantage of applying the protective film is that it is a cheap way to make a normal pane of glass more resistant to impacts and blows. The protective film also prevents splinters from flying around when it shatters. The protective film can be applied without having to replace the pane. However, the protective film does not make the glass itself significantly more stable. If the load is not too great, the pane will be destroyed and must be replaced (and a new protective film must be applied).

What is bulletproof glass?

Bullet-resistant glass consists of several panes of glass bonded together to withstand the force of a bullet. Such a glass package is often very thick - 5 cm or more - and therefore very heavy.
Classification DIN EN 1063, BR1 to BR7.

How safe are window grilles and shutters?

Unfortunately, many burglars have now found ways to deal with window grilles and shutters. A sturdy rope tied to the bumper or trailer hitch and the window grille is no longer a problem. Window grilles not only prevent people from looking into the shop window or the shop itself, they also give a false sense of security.

In which protection and safety classes is Hammerglass available?

Hammerglass AB offers unbreakable glass solutions for all protection and security classes up to P8B, which is the highest protection class for window grilles and roller shutters. Hammerglass bullet protection is certified in classes BR1-NS/BR4-NS/BR6-NS, and Hammerglass explosion protection in classes EXR1/EXR2.

What does mechanical cracking mean?

Normal window glass can shatter for a variety of reasons. For example, the pane can crack if it is installed incorrectly or if it hits a screw head. This type of cracking typically causes the cracks to spread from the edge of the pane to different angles. If cracks appear, please contact the person who installed the pane.

What is thermal cracking?

Thermal cracks can occur when window glass is severely overheated. A thermal crack always runs at a right angle from the edge of the pane, unlike mechanical cracks, which always form at different angles. Please contact the person who installed the pane if cracks appear.