Hegla acquires HST expertise
27th February 2018

The HEGLA Group has announced the acquisition of Boraident GmbH, a company recognised for its expertise in Heat Soak Testing verification, marking and laser technology.

The newly created Hegla boraident GmbH offers solutions regarding spontaneous glass breakage, which occurs without warning and without any apparent reason. The resource of will help customers reduce the likelihood of spontaneous toughened glass breakage using the patented and certified HST procedure which encompasses an ink dye and colour change to prove the heat soak test has taken place.

The heat soak process is applied in a chamber that is subjected to temperatures from 280 - 300°C (540 – 570 F) over a 2 - 4 hour time period. This treatment causes any NiS to expand and will lead to the breakage of an infected glass pane. The HST process minimises the chance of infected glass panes being delivered and subsequently suffering from spontaneous breakage.

An HST checkmarker pen is a thermocromic and UV active ink which demonstrates that the Heat Soak Test has taken place. It is applied directly onto the tin side of the glass surface and during the production process, the colour will change from blue to white with a permanent invisible UV mark made on the glass. The white surface coat is visible to the naked eye after testing but is easily removed leaving the UV, resistant fluorescent mark inside the glass, which is only visible under 254 nm UV light. The fluorescent marking remains on the product for the duration of its lifetime.

HEGLA Boraident GmbH will retain all employees and the specialist patents will be absorbed into the new company.

www.hegla.de