We live our lives daily surrounded by laminated glass - whether in modern windows, staircase balustrades or even bullet proof glass panels.
Laminated glass is essentially normal window glass but it has been bonded to another sheet or sheets of glass with a clear plastic film. This ensures that if the glass should be broken it cannot fall apart. the more layers the stronger it is. It can be strong enough to stop a bullet.
A special plastic sheet is sandwiched with two or more layers of glass. This is heated until it starts to melt & is then squeezed between rollers to squash it together. The glass is then placed in an autoclave, a large oven with a vacuum inside for 6-8 hours. The heat softens the plastic film, whilst the vacuum helps to completely remove trapped air. The inter layer becomes completely transparent, bubble free and the process is then complete.
LinksRomag - a UK based glass factory
Laminated glass - description
Float Glass or window glass, a description
Toughened & tempered glass - description
