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While tempered glass is an excellent choice for many applications, there are certain situations where it may not be ideal. Here are a few reasons why tempered glass might not be suitable in specific contexts:

1. Shattering into Small Pieces

• Although tempered glass breaks into small, less harmful pieces, it still shatters completely upon impact. This can compromise structural integrity or visibility in certain applications, especially if keeping the glass largely intact is important.
• For instance, in a car windshield, tempered glass would not be ideal, as a broken windshield needs to remain as intact as possible to protect passengers and maintain visibility.

2. Limited Flexibility for Cutting and Shaping

• Once tempered, this type of glass cannot be cut, drilled, or reshaped without breaking. It must be manufactured to the exact size and shape required, which can be limiting in terms of customization or modifications.

3. Incompatibility for Certain Load-Bearing Structures

• Tempered glass is generally strong, but under certain heavy or point loads, it can be more prone to breaking than laminated glass. For example, in applications like skylights or overhead glass structures, laminated glass is often preferred for its ability to hold together after cracking.

4. Limited Protection Against Penetration

• Laminated glass, with its plastic interlayer, provides greater penetration resistance and can help prevent objects or people from passing through upon impact. This is a key reason laminated glass is used in windshields rather than tempered glass.

5. Thermal Shock Vulnerability

• Tempered glass can handle some degree of temperature changes, but it’s still vulnerable to thermal shock if exposed to extremely rapid temperature shifts, particularly around edges. Laminated or specially coated glass may sometimes offer better thermal stability in high-stress applications.

When Laminated Glass or Other Glass Types are Better

• Windshields: Laminated glass is better because it holds together even when cracked, maintaining a barrier and visibility.
• Skylights and Building Exteriors: Laminated or even annealed glass may be better to avoid full shattering in overhead or load-bearing glass.
• Soundproofing Needs: Laminated glass also offers better soundproofing compared to tempered glass.

In summary, while tempered glass is durable and safe in many applications, it may not be suitable for areas where maintaining integrity upon impact is essential, customization is needed, or for specific load-bearing or thermal requirements.