Post: Choosing the Right Material for Your Laser Safety Glasses: Plastic or Glass Lenses?

Choosing the Right Material for Your Laser Safety Glasses: Plastic or Glass Lenses?

Laser safety glasses are a necessary tool for anyone who works with lasers. They protect your eyes from the harmful effects of laser light, which can cause permanent damage to your vision if not properly protected.

Laser safety glasses come in two main types: with plastic lenses or glass lenses. Each type has its own advantages and disadvantages, so it’s important to know what they are before you make your purchase.

LASER SAFETY GLASSES WITH GLASS LENSES: ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES

For starters, glass lenses are more durable than plastic lenses, because they’re made of a material called borosilicate glass, which is much stronger than the acrylic used in most safety glasses. However, they are much more fragile than plastic ones, so if you drop them or step on them, they will break easily.

Glass lenses tend to have a higher optical density, resulting in a higher protection level. Plus, glass material are clear in nature, so the lens provides a better color perception. And, because of its quality, it is a more fragile and expensive material. 

Another important characteristic of glass lenses is that they are heavier than plastic lenses, so if you need to wear your safety glasses for long periods of time this could be an issue. Additionally, because of their fragility and weight they tend to cost more than plastic lenses.

LASER SAFETY GLASSES WITH PLASTIC LENSES: ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES

When it comes to plastic lenses, they are lightweight, flexible and impact resistant, which makes them ideal for use in industrial environments. They can be molded into a variety of shapes and sizes to fit your specific needs.

The main advantages of plastic lenses is that they are lighter in weight, more durable, and affordable. This makes them easier to wear over long periods of time without causing discomfort or fatigue. Moreover, they’re more flexible than glass so you don’t have to worry about breaking them if you drop them on the floor, or get hit by a flying object.

Since they’re made out of plastic instead of glass, with plastic lenses there’s no risk of shattering when exposed directly under intense laser beams. If something does happen, it won’t cause injury like broken shards might do.

As with glass lenses, there are also some drawbacks to using plastic lenses. The main one is that they don’t offer the same optical quality as glass lenses do. Plastic lenses are more prone to distortion and glare, which can be a problem if you’re using them in an environment where sharp vision is important, e.g., working with machinery.

Last but not least, plastic also has limited impact resistance compared to glass, so it breaks more easily when hit by flying debris or other objects. This means that plastic safety glasses might not be able to withstand heavy impact without breaking your budget.

FACTORS TO CONSIDER WHEN CHOOSING LASER SAFETY GLASSES

The first factor to consider when choosing laser safety glasses is the type of laser you’ll be working with. Some lasers can cause damage to plastic lenses, while others may not be able to penetrate glass lenses. You’ll want to make sure that your choice of material is compatible with your particular application so that you don’t end up damaging or blinding yourself by wearing the wrong type of lens.

Cost is another important consideration when choosing between plastic and glass lenses for your safety glasses. While plastic lenses tend to cost less than their glass counterparts, they also tend not to last as long and are more prone to scratches and other damage from regular use over time. Thus, although they’re cheaper in the short term, they may end up costing more overall if they need replacing sooner than expected.

CHOOSING THE RIGHT LENS MATERIAL

Choosing the right material for your laser safety glasses is an important decision. Both plastic and glass lenses have their advantages and drawbacks, but it’s up to you to decide which one is right for your application.

If you are looking for a lightweight, low cost option that will still provide adequate protection from UV light and other hazards associated with lasers, then plastic lenses may be your best bet. However, if you need high-quality optics or want more protection against infrared radiation (IR), then glass may be a better choice.

Whichever lens material you choose for your laser safety glasses, Phillips Safety has the best collection in the market of laser glasses with glass lenses and plastic lenses. We are confident that you will find the perfect glasses for your needs with the features and specifications you will love. If you need help or more information about our products, we are just one click away: talk to us through our chat, e-mail us at service@phillips-safety.com, or call us at 1-866-575-1307.

If you still aren’t sure which lens material is right for you, it’s a good idea to give us a call at 1-866-575-1307 or talk to us through our chat or e-mail us at service@phillips-safety.com

Our laser experts will be able to tell you what you need for your application.

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