AGGA TECHNICAL Fact Sheet

Heat soaking of
toughened glass

Heat soaking is a test process that attempts to The presence of NiS is quite rare: Glass is loaded into the oven with a sufficient
eliminate nickel sulphide inclusions, which can gap between each pane to allow hot air to
ca u s e sp o n ta n e o u s f r a g m e n ta t i o n i n • Approximately one ‘stone’ of NiS is present circulate evenly.
toughened (tempered) glass. per 8 tonnes of raw glass (although it can
come in batches). The incidence of Nis Due to the absence of an Australian standard,
Nickel sulphide inclusions varies from manufacturer to manufacturer
the process follows European Standard EN
with estimates ranging from one stone per
Sodium sulphate is added during float glass 14179.
8 tonnes of glass to one stone per 13 tonnes
manufacture to promote bubble removal from
of glass and some suppliers having a more
the molten glass during the melting process. The steps in the heat soaking process are as
frequent incidence than this.
When combined with nickel contamination,
• NiS can cause glass to fragment at any time follows:
sodium sulphate forms nickel sulphide (NiS). in the product’s life – from a few moments
after thermal treatment to years after • The toughened glass is heated to 280°C
Nickel contamination can be caused by: glazing installation.
(+ or - 10°C). Once all glass has reached
• an impurity in the raw materials; • NiS can also affect some types of heat-
that temperature, the cycle begins. (Sensors
• contamination during the storage and strengthened glass.
attached to the glass are used to monitor
handling of raw materials; or
• contamination from the float line equipment, Despite the comparative rarity of NiS in temperature.)
toughened glass, the issue caused widespread • After being held inside the heat soak oven
e.g. firebricks and burners.
concern when it first came to light in the 1960’s. for two hours, the glass is then allowed to
Recent incidences of failures have caused the
At temperatures above 350°C, nickel sulphide cool to ambient temperature.
National Construction Code (formally the
u n d e rg o e s a p h a s e c h a n g e . T h i s i s • The test is intended to encourage any NiS
Building Code of Australia) to instigate a
accompanied by a volume decrease of 4%. requirement that all monolithic toughened inclusions to expand to their original size.
Conversely, at temperatures below 350°C, the glass in commercial buildings five metres or • The test is not infallible, however, as
reverse happens – its volume increases by 4%. more above floor or ground level, that has no transformation may continue after the heat
suitable protection against falling toughened soak process. As it only eliminates around
What effect does nickel sulphide have glass fragments (e.g. a balcony, awning or the 95% of potential failures, the test should
on glass? like), to be heat soaked. Class 1 and Class 10
not be considered a guarantee against the
During the manufacture of float (annealed) buildings are exempt from this requirement.
presence of NiS in float glass.
glass, the raw glass materials are heated to
around 1100°C and the NiS consequently The heat soaking process
A heat soak oven (basically a large insulated Published: September 2012
reduces in size. When the glass is slowly cooled
box) is used for this process.
during the annealing process, the NiS expands
back to its original size. This expansion does
not interfere with the properties of the glass.

However, an issue arises if the glass is

Glass is heated to around 600°C during

The NiS will expand to its original size over

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03 8669 0170
Disclaimer: The information provided in this document is current at the time of print. It is intended as a general guide only and the AGGA recommends that
you undertake your own investigations when specifying windows and glass products to ensure they comply with all relevant regulations and are fit for purpose.