Everything You Need to Know About Bulletproof Glass

Bulletproof glass 101, everything you need to know about this hardened glass is in the palm of your hand!

At first glance, the bulletproof glass might looks like an ordinary pane of glass, but the difference is stops there, as the bullet go around 3.000km/h and hit it, this type of glass maybe will be your life savior.

So, what exactly is bulletproof glass? What is it made of? What is the history behind it? So grab your snacks and favorite drinks and go down into the bulletproof glass world!

History of Bulletproof Glass

Imagine you’re an important person, riding out on the road with a vast array of people around you, and suddenly you hear “BANG!”, some psychotic man runs into your car and puts a bullet in your chest.

Well it was, until 1982 when the modern patent of ballistic glass occurred in 1982.

But, even though the first patent occurred in 1982, the research and development for this said glass has been around for as long as 1903 when a French chemist named Edouard Benedictus accidentally dropped a flask on the ground. 

Since the flask held liquid nitrate solution, which coated the glass with a plastic layer, the flask broke but did not shatter.

Also Read: “What is Tempered Glass?“

What is a Bulletproof Glass Made of?

There’s more than one way to build a ballistic glass with also a different materials. It is worth noting that a different materials offer different levels of protection.

On a scale of one to eight, with one being like a paper shield and eight being practically invincible, bulletproof glass can stop anything from small handgun bullets to high-powered rifle rounds.

Acrylic and polycarbonate plastic are two most common types of resins and materials that are used for bullet-resistant glass.

However, polycarbonate has become the most popular material for bulletproof glass as it gives the best level of protection.

So, what are the material used in bulletproof glass? 

1. Solid Acrylic Bullet Resistant Glass

This is the most common bulletproof glass material and with a 1,25-inch thick acrylic sheet it usually offers basic level 1 protection.

But, as the thickness increased or decreased, the protection levels are also changed, giving it versatility.

This type of glass is suitable for a situation where projectiles are breaking glass windows. It also sustains a few 9mm bullets as well.

Also Read: “What’s the Difference Between Laminated and Tempered Glass?“

2. Laminated Polycarbonate Glass

A layer of polycarbonate, a highly resilient plastic known for its impact resistance, is placed between two pieces of glass.

All three layers are then bonded together using a high-strength adhesive to create a single, cohesive unit. 

This lamination process distributes the force of an impact across the entire surface area, effectively mitigating penetration and enhancing the overall ballistic resistance of the glass.

And on top of that, polycarbonate glasses are more secure than acrylic glasses, with 30 times stronger than acrylic and 200 times stronger than regular glasses with the thickness of the glass depending on its protection levels.

3. Glass-Clad Polycarbonate

By sandwiching a layer of polycarbonate between the two sheets of glass, you can get a durable armored bullet-proof glass.

This process not only gives you an improved protection but also gives you high visibility.

This type of bulletproof glass is capable of stopping AK-47 or even M16 ammunition, thus making it suitable to be used in dangerous zones.

So that is all you need to know about bulletproof glass, since its invention a long time ago, bulletproof glass has become a staple form of protection in many countries.

But, do you know, the glass that is sold and distributed in Indonesia are strictly regulated to follow the SNI regulation?

More about this information? Check the link HERE