Evaluating external coatings as a tool for safer freeform glass structures

Abstract

the technology exists to melt and fuse certain glass types into astonishing shapes. Transforming this technology to the scale of building components would create an innovative tool with a high architectural potential. However, in construction industry such techniques are still in an experimental stage. In spite of several small successes that have been accomplished with e.g. the welding of glass for building applications [1],[2], a fundamental safety problem still needs to be solved: fused or welded glass is monolithic and brittle. Traditional laminating techniques cannot be used for several reasons, e.g. because polymer interlayers will burn or disintegrate when exposed to temperatures needed for glass fusing or welding. Consequently, this contribution will focus on external coatings, mostly polymers, which can be applied at the outer surface of a monolithic glass structure. The purpose of the coatings is to form a safety film, which prevents shattering of the glass pieces and/or ensures a certain level of post-breakage strength and stiffness. A limited number of selected products will be tested experimentally on small test specimens, illustrating some of the potentials and limits of this technology in architectural freeform glass applications.