shatterresistant

Shatterresistant is an attribute of materials that are designed to resist shattering when subjected to impact, sudden pressure, or stress. Instead of breaking into sharp fragments, shatterresistant materials either deform, absorb energy, or fail in a controlled manner that limits injury or damage. The term is commonly used in safety contexts and may be applied to glass, polymers, ceramics, and composites.

The resistance can arise from increased fracture toughness, which measures the energy required to propagate a crack; from layered or laminated structures that arrest crack growth; or from plastic deformation that redistributes loads. Popular implementations include tempered glass, which develops compressive surface layers; laminated glass, which binds glass layers with interlayers such as polyvinyl butyral; and polycarbonate or other tough plastics, which inherently resist fracture.

Shatterresistant materials are used in automobile windshields, architectural glazing, smartphone screens, safety equipment, and protective barriers. They are chosen when it is important to prevent dangerous shards, preserve visibility, or maintain structural integrity after impact. However, shatter resistance can involve trade-offs with weight, cost, optical clarity, and surface hardness.

Assessment typically involves impact and fragmentation tests appropriate to the material, such as energy absorption, crack propagation behavior, and fragment size, conducted under standardized conditions. Standards and testing regimes vary by industry and geography.