Enhancing Glass Strength for Transport and Defence: Advanced Processing Techniques for Durability and Impact Resistance

From rail networks and smart city infrastructure to defence vehicles operating in extreme conditions, the demand for stronger, more resilient glass has never been higher. Whether integrated into public-facing information displays, in-vehicle dashboards, or control systems, glass components must withstand a wide range of environmental, mechanical, and security challenges.

At FORTEC UK, we offer advanced glass processing options tailored to the specific requirements of transportation and defence projects—supporting both operational reliability and user safety.

Thermally Toughened Glass: Proven Resilience for High-Stress Environments

Thermally toughened (tempered) glass is produced by heating to 620–700°C and rapidly cooling to induce compressive stress on the surface. This process improves strength up to 5 times more than standard annealed glass, making it an ideal solution for safety-critical and high-traffic environments.

Applications in Transport & Defence:

Passenger information systems: Railway platforms, ticketing kiosks, and onboard displays
Vehicle-mounted displays: Bus driver consoles and railway cab controls
Defence-ready systems: External vehicle screens requiring fire resistance and impact resilience
Safety Feature: Breaks into blunt fragments, reducing injury risk in public or high-mobility zones.

Note: May introduce slight surface distortion—acceptable for many outdoor or ruggedised displays.

Chemically Strengthened Glass: Optimal for Compact, High-Precision Interfaces

This method enhances thinner glass through a potassium nitrate ion exchange at 400–500°C, delivering a strengthened outer layer with exceptional scratch resistance and optical flatness.

Applications in Transport & Defence:

Compact instrumentation: In-vehicle HMI units, aviation dashboards, and cockpit panels
Weight-sensitive systems: Embedded devices on drones, light rail units, or portable control units
Tactical displays: High-accuracy readouts where visual clarity and responsiveness are mission-critical

Advantage: Maintains perfect flatness—essential for seamless touchscreen integration.

Dry Film Lamination: Reinforced Protection for Extreme Impact and Multi-Layer Integration

Laminated glass combines multiple layers (standard or toughened) bonded via a heat-activated polymer film, which can incorporate UV, IR, or EMI shielding layers. This process is widely used in sectors where resistance to impact, shock, and vibration is crucial.

Applications in Transport & Defence:

Vandal-resistant kiosks: Urban transport hubs and unattended terminals
Military ground vehicles: Display systems in armoured or tracked vehicles
System integration: Panels requiring embedded touchscreens, RF/EMI protection, or thermal filters

Security Benefit: Even under heavy impact, the glass remains intact—ideal for high-threat or sensitive environments.

Engineered Glass for Demanding Sectors

Selecting the right glass processing method is essential for ensuring system longevity, user safety, and consistent performance in both transportation and defence environments. From the precision of chemically strengthened touch panels in cockpit interfaces to the rugged resilience of laminated displays in armoured vehicles, FORTEC UK delivers tailored glass technologies designed to withstand the extremes—backed by integration with TFTs, embedded PCs, and optoelectronic components.

Let FORTEC UK be your trusted partner in specifying robust glass solutions that meet the high standards of transport and defence applications.