Several applications like balustrades or overhead glazing require a safe fracture behavior or residual strength in broken situation. For this, the behavior of the interlayer itself and its interaction with glass (adhesion) are key points. The latter can be influenced by coatings or embedded photo voltaic (PV). To realize not only iconic buildings like CUBE in Berlin or HVB-Tower in Munich but also several other examples including roofs of solar power generating car parks, special tests were performed to proof sufficient safety. Similar questions regarding performance of accidentally broken elements arise, if fire safe glazing has to fulfil requirements of safe breakage like in airports or subway / train stations.
To prove sufficient safety for above mentioned projects, testing in laboratory according European codes such as EN 356 and EN 12600 as well as testing with modified setup or additional tests were carried out. In terms of special permits required in Germany even several full-size glass element residual performance tests in climatic chamber were done. Based on the positive results, systematic testing campaign for broader product range is done as basis for a general approval.
