The Pros and Cons of PVB, EVA, and SGP Laminated Glass for Safe and Aesthetic Modern Architecture
Laminated glass is popular in modern architecture due to its unique properties and versatility. It consists of two or more glass sheets with one or more layers of organic polymer interlayer films sandwiched in between. The glass and interlayer films are permanently bonded through a special high-temperature and high-pressure process. The commonly used interlayer films for laminated glass are PVB, SGP, EVA, PU, etc. This article will focus on three popular types of laminated glass: PVB, EVA, and SGP laminated glass.
PVB Laminated Glass
PVB laminated glass refers to two glass sheets sandwiched with PVB film. PVB (PolyVinyl Butyral Film) film is a thermoplastic resin film produced by adding plasticizers to PVB resin. The storage and processing of PVB interlayer films are more complicated than EVA. They require higher temperature and humidity control. PVB has good safety, sound insulation, transparency, and UV resistance properties. However, PVB has poor water resistance and tends to delaminate in a humid environment over time.
EVA Laminated Glass
EVA laminated glass is a laminated glass with EVA film sandwiched between two glass sheets. EVA stands for ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer. EVA is also used as an interlayer film for laminated glass. Compared with PVB and SGP, EVA has better fluidity and lower melting temperature (around 110°C). The EVA film layer has good fluidity and can be processed into decorative glass with patterns and designs, such as silk-screen printing or rolling. EVA has good water resistance but poor UV resistance. It tends to turn yellow or black after prolonged exposure to sunlight.
SGP Laminated Glass
SGP laminated glass is a laminated glass with SGP film sandwiched between two glass sheets. SGP is an ion polymer film. Compared to PVB, SGP has twice the load-bearing capacity at the same thickness, one-fourth of the bending deflection, and five times the tear strength. SGP interlayer film is colorless and transparent with good UV resistance. It is less likely to turn yellow after prolonged exposure to sunlight than PVB (yellowing coefficient <1.5 versus 6-12 for PVB).
Application
The choice of laminated glass depends on the specific requirements of the project. PVB laminated glass is widely used in commercial and residential buildings for applications such as curtain walls, stair railings, balcony railings, doors and windows, partitions, glass floors, shower room glass, etc. EVA laminated glass is mainly used for decoration, such as hotel interiors, office partitions, furniture, etc. SGP laminated glass is widely used in safety glass applications such as bullet-resistant glass, blast-resistant glass, windshields for high-speed trains, load-bearing glass, and safety glass for high-rise and large public buildings.
Conclusion
Understanding the differences between these types of laminated glass can help architects, builders, and homeowners make informed decisions when choosing suitable materials for their projects. The right choice of laminated glass can ensure safety, durability, and aesthetics for any construction project.
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