Introduction
Glass fins are used to support glazed façades and enhance their rigidity. They can also act as support for glazed roofs.
In both case, the post-breakage behavior of the glass fins is fundamental to ensure the stability of the building. If broken the glass fin must be designed with redundancy so that it functions until replacement of the damaged glass can be accomplished. Laminated glass, typically in multilayer constructions of three or more pieces of glass and interlayer, has been shown to function well in glass fin applications. The use of structural PVB interlayer is recommended for this application due to adhesion capability to the air and tin surfaces of glass and the continuous lengths of interlayer.
Which products fit in?
Eastman has experience with multiple interlayer products being used in the design of glazing for glass fins:
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Saflex Clear is the conventional PVB interlayer that can be used for:
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Safety: in case of glass breakage from human or accidental impact, the shards of broken glass will remain adhered to the interlayer providing a reduction in cutting or piercing injuries. With properly glazed laminated glass in a framing system, fall through protection may also be provided.
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Vanceva® Earth Tones collection and Vanceva Colors interlayers bring forth the possibility of using a large range of color in a façade or as interior glazing. Vanceva color interlayers permit the design of lower transmittance or intense colors without having to increase glass thickness. Since the color is added to the laminate using the Vanceva interlayers, delays waiting for colored glass campaigns or ordering large quantities of custom colored glass can be eliminated. Both products provide the flexibility to customize or modify and improve the aesthetic of the façade.
- Saflex Structural PVB interlayer can be used in laminated glass configurations targeted for floors, stairs, fins, balustrades, guards and canopies. Saflex DG is a tough polyvinyl butyral (PVB) designed for applications where rigidity and high glass adhesion are required. Compared to the conventional PVB, this product allows:
- Laminates to be designed with reduced glass thickness
- Enhance the post-breakage rigidity
- High glass adhesion
- Superior edge stability decreasing the risk of delamination
- Improved sealant compatibility
The various types of Saflex and Vanceva interlayers mentioned above can be combined between two pieces of glass or in the same glazing configuration to improve the overall performance of the glazing system and contribute to the optimum performance of the glass fin.
