Surface Compression Stress Verification (Polariscope)

It documents surface compression stress readings on tempered glass using a scattered-light polariscope or GASP. The record ties the readings to the specific lite, the measurement locations, the instrument status, and the final disposition. It is meant to support tempering verification and ASTM C1048 conformance review, not to replace lab certification or product traceability records.

Use it when you need to confirm that a tempered glass lite meets the specified surface compression range before shipment, installation, or release from hold. It is also useful after a quality concern, supplier dispute, or field complaint where tempering level needs to be checked. If the glass is laminated, coated, fritted, or otherwise difficult to read, the template helps document whether the surface condition affected the measurement.

A trained inspector, QA technician, or lab/production quality associate should complete it, with qualification documented in the inspection details. The person taking the readings should understand how to position the lite, interpret scattered-light patterns, and recognize when a surface condition makes the reading unreliable. A supervisor or QA reviewer can sign off when your process requires second-level review.

The cadence depends on your quality plan, customer requirements, and risk level. Many teams use it per lot, per job, per production run, or for sampled verification after furnace changes, maintenance, or a process deviation. If you are investigating a defect or hold condition, inspect the affected lites immediately rather than waiting for the next scheduled check.

The most common issues are skipping the instrument verification step, taking readings on dirty or damaged surfaces, and failing to record the exact measurement locations. Another frequent problem is averaging inconsistent readings without noting the spread or the reason for variation. Teams also sometimes forget to identify coatings, frit, or surface treatments that can affect visibility and interpretation.

No. It is a documentation tool that helps you capture the evidence needed to support your internal quality process and any ASTM C1048 review. You still need to apply your own acceptance criteria, customer specifications, and any applicable test method or product standard. If your organization has a written tempering specification, this template should be aligned to that standard.

Yes. You can adjust the measurement locations, acceptance thresholds, required attachments, and reviewer fields for clear, tinted, coated, fritted, or patterned tempered glass. You can also add job traveler numbers, furnace batch IDs, or supplier lot references if your traceability process needs them. The structure is flexible enough to support both production checks and incoming inspection.

Ad hoc notes often miss the instrument status, exact lite identification, or the reason a reading was accepted or rejected. This template gives you a repeatable record that captures setup, readings, conformance, and disposition in one place. That makes it easier to review trends, defend a release decision, and respond to customer or auditor questions.