Top 5 Causes Why Tempered Glass Shatters

Tempered glass is more durable than regular glass, but it isn’t unbreakable. There are several reasons why tempered glass shatters, and when they do, it doesn’t necessarily mean that it’s of low quality.

Nevertheless, high-quality tempered glass material does remain durable than low-quality ones. That said, here are the top 5 causes why tempered glass shatters:

Minor edge damage

Spontaneous breakage can occur when the edge has already been damaged. It could happen when it’s been cut into smaller panels, delivered, or installed onsite. As years pass by and as different temperatures and elements cause the glass to expand or contract, the stress will make the glass shatter.

While this may happen suddenly, the root cause is usually the minor damages on the edges of the glass.

Binding in the Frame

Frame-related breakage is also a norm and usually the face of spontaneous shattering. The glass will expand and contract, and if there isn’t any space within the frame, the stress will ultimately cause the glass to shatter.

Internal Stress from Nickel sulfide Inclusions

Nickel sulfide stones can be formed during glassmaking and handling process. These stones come from using stainless-steel machines.

The stones often change in structure as time comes and this causes internal stress that ultimately surpasses the strength of the tempered glass. When that time comes, the glass will break slowly.

Defective tempered glass

Defective tempered glass is products that often have damages already. Pre-existing cracks and scratches can often decrease the strength of the tempered glass.

Extreme impact

Although tempered glasses don’t easily break. The impact can break it. For example, a tempered screen protector can handle low drops. But dropping it from a higher altitude and with more force tends to create cracks and scratches.