Post Breakage Strength Testing for Overhead Laminated Glass Applications

Kuraray has published a new white paper that gives laminators, engineers and architects important information relating to the performance of overhead laminated glass structures – especially in relation their post-breakage performance.

The paper explains how the design and structural performance of laminated glass in overhead glazing applications – such as canopies and skylights – is critical as it has a major impact on the safety of occupants and maintenance workers. And, as a direct result, the post-breakage strength of laminated glass constructions is of utmost importance.

The paper offers a comparison of the mechanical properties of SentryGlas® ionoplast interlayer, PVB and stiff PVB and how each of the materials perform after a breakage, in terms of the environmental conditions and the type of glass used in the lamination, which ultimately determines the breakage pattern. It goes on to analyse the structural behaviour of the different material combinations and their suitability and performance in a variety of overhead applications.

The paper then goes into detail about the two primary test methods deployed to research the phenomenon; one to ascertain immediate post breakage strength against fall through; and another to determine medium-duration post breakage strength over a range of temperatures.

The conclusions of the paper offer a highly useful insight into the relative performance of the different interlayers across different applications, laminate constructions and environmental conditions.