Groundbreaking Research Showcases Lightweight Laminated Glass as a Key Element in Sustainable Construction

In the current issue 1 of the special publication "Glass Construction & Facade," a significant report on the weight reduction of laminated safety glass (LSG) through the use of thin glass is presented. The authors Steffen Bornermann, Md. Abdus Salam, Elena Fleckenstein, and Michael Engelmann highlight how this approach aligns with the UN Sustainability Agenda in minimizing resource consumption.

The use of thinner glass contributes to the support of lightweight construction principles in the building sector but imposes high demands on safety standards, particularly regarding impact resistance, fragment retention, and residual load capacity. The conducted ball drop tests according to DIN EN 14449 and DIN 52338 investigated the influence of glass thickness, type, as well as single-layer and multi-layer interlayers on impact safety. Commercially available EVA films (evguard® laminating film) and films made from modified polyester (evguard® MPE), produced by Folienwerk Wolfen GmbH, were used in these tests.

The results show that the use of multi-layer interlayers allow for a significant improvement in impact safety without increasing glass thickness. A weight reduction of up to 64.4% is possible while maintaining the maximum drop height. Furthermore, the relevance of the interlayer in the event of impact is highlighted. 

Furthermore, the use of chemically toughened glass (CVG) with thickness below 1 mm has been investigated as a promising method for further weight reduction. In particular, asymmetrical glass constructions that combine thin CVG with thicker float glass panes show potential for applications with higher requirements for stiffness and impact safety. These findings could also find application in the automotive Industry.

The report underscores important advances in the glass industry that offer both economic and ecological benefits, thus contributing to the achievement of the goals of the UN Sustainability Agenda. More information is available on the website www.evguard.de