In the field of architecture and design, the application of glass has long surpassed the simple function of lighting and has become a key material for shaping the aesthetics and safety performance of space. Among them, laminated glass has become an important choice in the fields of high-rise buildings, automobile industry, home decoration, etc. due to its unique structure. It not only solves the hidden danger of traditional glass being fragile, but also has the advantages of sound insulation, heat insulation, and UV protection, becoming the "invisible guardian" of modern architecture and design.

Laminated glass is a high-performance safety glass made of multiple layers of glass and an interlayer. Its unique structural design enables it to have multiple functions such as safety, sond insulation, and UV protection. This article will deeply analyze the composition structure, key materials, manufacturing process, and the impact of different structures on the performance of laminated glass.

1. Basic tructure 

The core structure of laminated glass consists of glass layer + interlayer + glass layer. Some high-end products may adopt a composite design of multi-layer glass + multi-layer interlayer.

(1) Glass Layers

• Material: usually float glass, tempered glass, ultra-clear glass, etc.

• Thickness: common combinations include 5+5mm, 6+6mm, 8+8mm (i.e. two pieces of 5mm glass laminated together).

• Function: provides basic strength, and tempered glass can further improve impact resistance.

(2) Interlayer

• PVB (polyvinyl butyral): the most commonly used interlayer, with good adhesion, sound insulation and UV resistance. Thickness: 0.38mm, 0.76mm, 1.14mm, 1.52mm, etc. The thicker the thickness, the stronger the sound insulation and impact resistance. Colored PVB: customizable colors (such as blue, green), used for decorative needs.

• SGP (ionic interlayer): stronger than PVB, with 5 times higher tear strength, suitable for high-rise buildings and explosion-proof glass.

• EVA (ethylene-vinyl acetate): mainly used for photovoltaic modules and special laminated glass.

(3) Composite structure variants

• Hollow laminated glass: Add an air layer to the laminated glass (such as 5+0.76+5+12A+5), which has both sound insulation and heat preservation properties.

• Multi-layer laminated glass: such as three-glass two-laminate (6+0.76+6+0.76+6), used for bank bulletproof glass and museum display cabinets.

 

2. Core Advantages 

(1) Excellent safety

Explosion-proof and shatter-proof: When impacted, glass fragments will not fly, suitable for high-rise buildings, schools, banks and other security-sensitive places.

Anti-theft performance: It takes longer to destroy laminated glass, delaying intrusion, and is often used in jewelry stores and museum display cabinets.

(2) Excellent sound insulation effect

PVB/SGP film can absorb sound wave vibrations and reduce noise by 30%~40%, suitable for environments such as airports, high-speed rail stations, and recording studios.

(3) UV protection

Can block 99% of ultraviolet rays, protecting indoor furniture and artworks from fading damage.

(4) Energy saving and weather resistance

Reduce heat transfer and reduce air conditioning energy consumption, suitable for glass curtain walls and sun rooms.

Resistant to temperature differences (-30℃~150℃), anti-aging, suitable for extreme climate areas.

(5) Design flexibility

Customizable colors, textures, and patterns, such as frosted, glazed, and carved, to meet personalized needs.

3. Main Application scenarios 

(1) Construction

Curtain walls & skylights: ensure safety and improve lighting (such as the giant glass curtain wall of Apple flagship store).

Glass floors & stairs: tempered laminated glass has strong load-bearing capacity and is light-transmitting but not see-through (such as the suspended glass walkway in shopping malls).

Bathroom partitions: explosion-proof and shatterproof, privacy protection.

(2) Automobile industry

Front windshield: laminated technology is used to reduce damage from fragments during collision.

(3) Home & commercial space

Furniture glass (coffee table, cabinet door): safe and durable to prevent children from accidental cuts.

Commercial display cabinets (jewelry stores, museums): explosion-proof and anti-theft, while maintaining high light transmittance.

(4) Special security needs

Bullet-proof glass (banks, government agencies): multi-layer laminated glass + polycarbonate to resist gunfire.

Hurricane-proof glass: used in coastal buildings to resist strong winds.

The structural design of laminated glass determines its excellent safety and functionality. From ordinary buildings to high-end bulletproof applications, different combinations can meet diverse needs. With the introduction of new materials and intelligent technologies, the application boundaries of laminated glass will be further expanded and become an important material for future architectural and industrial design.