One of the most popular questions we hear is “does security film really work”? “Will it Smash?” by Window Film Systems is a video series in which we put windows protected with security film against a series of potentially devastating forces. There are many misconceptions about the protection that security window film provides and we are here to put it to the test.
Can security film protect against a bullet?
This video looks at how security window film stands up to a shotgun blast from 30 yards. A 12-gauge shotgun loaded with buckshot is aimed at a 1/4 inch thick pane of glass. When discharged, the bullet is going to travel at approximately 1,280 feet per second toward the window. In this demonstration, we apply a 15-mil multiple laminated security film to determine the results.
There’s a common conception or misconception that by applying security film, the glass becomes bulletproof. This video was created to see if that is in fact the case. Before we had a look at the glass protected with security film, we wanted to see what would happen when Peter took a shot at a window that doesn’t have any film on it.
When the glass that was protected with security film was shot from a close range with a shotgun the impact from the shot results in damage to the glass, but the window remains intact. This is due to the security film absorbing the impact and dissipating the energy outward throughout the protected glass. The security film keeps the window from collapsing but this does not mean security window film is sufficient protection from a bullet.
A shotgun is a relatively low-velocity weapon. It’s not very powerful, even from the close distance that we shot from. Even though in the shotgun demonstration the glass didn’t completely shatter a few pellets went through.
We tried the same experiment with the same type of glass, the same type of security film but using a high-power hunting rifle with a bullet that travels at about 3,000 feet per second. We’re looking at a weapon that’s over twice the velocity of the shotgun. Upon impact, the glass remains intact but it appears that the bullet penetrated through the glass to the object behind.
Can Safety Film Protect Glass from Hurricanes?
In North America, hurricanes cause millions of dollars in damage. Even though there is no way to make glass hurricane proof, we test the effect that security window film has on glass when using a wind tunnel to simulate flying debris. Without safety film, ball bearings shot at the unprotected glass at 130 feet per second didn’t go through the window but made a hole. At 233.8 feet per second, the ball bearings passed right through the glass. When applying Madico Safety Shield 1500 security film the ball bearing did not pass through the glass keeping the indoor environment safe and secure.
