There are a number of different types of glass marketed as "protective glass" or "safety glass." Each has its advantages and disadvantages. Here we answer the most common questions about glass, safety glass, protective glass, and our products. Please feel free to contact us if you do not find an answer to your question here. If you are professionally involved in construction activities and safety, we warmly invite you to one of our free seminars, where we demonstrate the strengths and weaknesses of various types of glass.

What is Hammerglass^®?

Hammerglass^® is a wear-resistant and optically clear polycarbonate sheet that is 300 times more stable than conventional glass and almost unbreakable. The Hammerglass sheets are coated with a hard layer of silicon dioxide, which protects the sheets against scratches and wear. The surface treatment additionally provides UV protection of 99.96%, which prevents the 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 marketed under various brand names including Hammerglass, Lexan, Makrolon, and Saphir. The individual products and brands differ in terms of purity and surface coating of the panes. Without surface coating, PC easily gets scratches and also begins to yellow after about six months. Many surface coatings primarily serve as 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 (incorrectly) mostly used to refer to plastic sheets in general. Acrylic plastic is sensitive to acids, acetone, and other solvents. Acrylic plastic can be distinguished from Hammerglass in that it develops cracks when bent or struck – unlike Hammerglass, which bends without cracking. Furthermore, acrylic glass burns, while Hammerglass extinguishes itself after being ignited.

What is safety glass?

Glass that prevents or effectively minimizes the risk of personal injury upon contact is referred to as personal safety glass, commonly known in practice as safety glass (after the English term "Safety Glass").
Classification DIN EN 12600 and DIN EN 356, P1A to P5A.

What is safety glass?

Glass that protects against vandalism, gunfire, intrusion, burglary, explosions, water pressure, electromagnetic radiation, X-rays, fire, sound pressure, and UV radiation is referred to as safety glass (from the English "Safety Glass").
Classification DIN EN 356, P6B to P8B.

What is tempered glass?

Tempered glass is up to five times more resistant than normal glass. Such glass shatters into a multitude of small pieces - everyone knows this if they have ever dropped a Duralex glass on the floor. However, the pieces are not sharp. This is also the reason why tempered glass is used for side windows in automobiles. The advantages of tempered glass are that it is relatively inexpensive and easy to install.The disadvantages are that it must be ordered to measure, as it can no longer be cut after hardening, which leads to long delivery times. Hardened glass is also not particularly reinforced. A blow with a sharp or pointed object is usually enough to shatter the pane.

What is laminated glass?

Laminated glass consists of two or more glass panes that are "glued" together using an interlayer. This glass is sometimes also referred to as "lamella glass" and incorrectly as "bulletproof glass." Laminated glass can be very thick, which, along with the tough interlayers, makes it a reinforced glass - at the appropriate thickness, it can even be bulletproof. Laminated glass panes are relatively expensive to purchase and also difficult to install.The major disadvantage, however, is that laminated glass - unlike Hammerglass - is simply prone to shattering (even if it does not splinter), making it an expensive material for exposed areas.

What is protective film safety glass?

Standard sheet glass can be coated with a protective film on one side or both sides. The significant advantage of applying the protective film is that it is an inexpensive method to make a standard glass pane more resistant to impacts and blows. Additionally, the protective film prevents shards from flying around when the glass shatters. The application of the protective film can be done without having to replace the pane. However, the protective film does not make the glass itself significantly more stable. Under not too great a load, the pane will be destroyed and must be replaced (and a new protective film must be applied).

What is bulletproof glass?

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

How secure are window bars and roller shutters?

Unfortunately, many burglars have now found ways to overcome window bars and roller shutters. A sturdy rope tied to the bumper or the tow hitch makes the window bars no longer a problem. Window bars not only obstruct the view into the shop window or the business itself but also create a false sense of security.

What protection and security classes does Hammerglass offer?

Hammerglass AB provides shatterproof glass solutions for all protection and security classes up to P8B, which corresponds to the highest protection class for window grilles and roller shutters. Hammerglass ballistic 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 various reasons. For example, the pane can crack if it is improperly installed or if it is in contact with a screw head. A typical characteristic of this type of cracking is that the cracks radiate from the edge of the pane at different angles. Please contact the person who installed the pane if cracks should appear.

What does thermal cracking mean?

Thermal cracks can occur when window glass is subjected to extreme overheating.A thermal crack always runs at a right angle from the edge of the pane, in contrast to mechanical cracks, which always form at various angles. Please contact the person who installed the pane if cracks should appear.