From the bullet-proof windows of the Pope’s car to that bullet-proof window pane at the bank when you cash in your paycheck, even that one way bullet proof wall at the police station, bullet-proof glass has always been a staple of everyday life. But ever catch yourself wondering about where it comes from or how this highly durable and impact-resistant material works? Here’s some information from HowStuffWorks to shed some light on the subject.
1. How is this glass produced? The glass is basically the result of taking two layers of ordinary glass and putting polycarbonate material right in between these layers. Also known as lamination, this process creates the bullet-resistant material people know and recognize the world over.
2. How does bullet proof glass work? When the bullet strikes, it shatters the first layer of the glass but the polycabornate in between stops it right in its tracks, preventing it from shooting through the final layer and going any further.
3. How strong is bullet resistant glass? This largely depends on how thick the glass is. Though all bullet proof glass is durable compared to ordinary glass, not all bullet resistant glass have been created equal. Thick glass, then, ensures better heavy duty resistance than one that was thicker in measurement.
4. What about one-way bullet resistant glass? When it comes to one way bullet proof glass, one side can stop the bullets while the other side allows the bullets to shoot through. This is done by using flexible material to laminate a brittle sheet of material for the non-bullet resistant side.
5. How does a one-way bullet resistant glass works? Consider, for instance, an interrogation room with a wall built out of a one-way bullet resistant glass, a common sight in countless crime investigation dramas and NYPD reruns. If someone shoots at the mirror from the outside, the polycarbonate would stop it from getting through, though the bullet would shatter the first layer of glass. If someone, though, shoots from the inside, that shot would cause the brittle material to flex and break. This way, the bullet would pass through the glass and find its target.
These are just 5 handy facts to know about bullet proof glass and how they work. If you’re looking for a way to improve your security and safety features, you can hardly go wrong by installing bullet-resistant glass in strategic points in your workplace. The better your security, the more prepared you’ll be for any situation.