TILSE is an expert supplier and producer of yacht glazing solutions for the superyacht industry. They not only develop and produce their glass from their factory in Germany, but their team of highly qualified employees install their extraordinary glazing solutions onboard superyachts across the world. TILSE are often considered pioneers of new trends in superyacht glass and it's no surprise they have developed their own unique techniques to create high quality results. 
Delamination is a reduction or a total loss of the compound interlayer material between the glass panes of a glass compound. The glass layers detach themselves from the laminating foil that holds them together, causing a rapid decrease of the surface load capacity and the bending strength. The decrease of the surface load capacity can have a serious impact on the load calculation that is made and agreed with classification societies before construction. These calculations are made based on the thickness of the glass compound of a perfect window and not one that has been broken or delaminated. After the delamination the safety integrity is not present. It is usually visually obvious when delamination has taken place as optical clouding or detachment from the edge of the glass can be seen.
The delamination process often occurs only a few years after the installation of the glass panes, although there are many reasons as to why glass delamination occurs. One common reason is when moisture has entered the laminate, causing an imperfect sealing or the seal to be broken. This is why the sealing should be checked on a regular basis. Imperfections in the glass layers as well as material incompatibilities and errors in the lamination process can also have the same effect.
TILSE has been involved with more than 250 yachts worldwide for over thirty years, so it's no surprise they have mastered the art of offering premium products. TILSE offers a guarantee that their glass is delamination-free thanks to their self developed special adhesive resin, TFG. This resin is used to laminate the compound glass and is UV and seawater resistant. The resin can withstand temperatures up to 110°C and down to -40°C and offers great protection against UV light. All other competitors use PVB foils that are vulnerable to moisture and high temperature changes. These PVB foils also have a significantly lower temperature resistance with compound glass and can only reach up to a maximum of approximately 70°C.
The team at TILSE have noticed an increase in the need for safety in the industry, especially when related to glass. In the past, the thought process behind glass usually came late in the build, but as technical complexity has increased along with the classification and safety standards, changes have been made to construction processes. When glass companies are involved early on, changes can be easily made and this is what is happening now in the industry. 
TILSE uses Formglas Spezial®, a high quality product that consists of at least two chemically toughened panels of glass held together with their specially designed resin. The result is a considerably higher strength when tested against single-layer safety glass and other compound safety glass. This glass retains its form when broken due to its compound construction. If one layer of glass breaks, the second glass and the resin keep the whole glass together meaning there is no hole through which water can enter.
All yacht owners should be aware of delamination onboard and the negative impact it has on the safety requirements of that vessel. TILSE makes it clear that to prevent unsafe conditions onboard, you should inspect your glass regularly for any damage to the sealing or signs of delamination. If you spot any of these indicators, then you should take immediate action.