automotive news - future technology for car windows
Post on 09-Apr-2017
150 Views
Preview:
TRANSCRIPT
According to an article in the
Detroit News, plastic windows are
been considered by automakers for
some vehicles. The high-strength
and lightweight polycarbonate
window has been already introduced
into the automotive industry and
will be appreciated in the 2014
FIAT S.p.A. 500L.
As a benefit, the plastic window
combined with compression
moldings can reduce the overall
number of parts currently needed to
join a window to a vehicle. Next is
the opportunity of shedding up to 50
lbs. of the car’s overall weight. This
added bonus has every car manufacturer sitting at the edge of their chairs!
Even though “every once counts” as Dick Schultz, managing director at Ducker Worldwide's
Automotive Materials Practice said, the shift to lightweight windows is not going to happen
overnight.
As an example, Ford Motor Co. is conducting a 10,000-hour environmental durability testing
cycle on the windows. If the results are positive, this automaker may consider the use of
polycarbonate windows in the future in specific models.
95 percent of all vehicles today have headlight covers made of polycarbonate plastic, said V.
Umamaheswaran, the global marketing director for the automotive unit of SABIC's Innovative
Plastics business.
"The technology is now at a point where it is ready for mass-scale production. It's not just
weight savings; it's hugely the styling implications and aerodynamics." Umamaheswaran said
For now, the polycarbonate glazing, if implemented, will be used for the rear window and/or
fixed windows in the rear of a car. Due to existing Federal Safety Regulations, these
polycarbonate glazing will not be used for windshields or door windows.
The panoramic sunroof is also an alternative for the use of this lightweight window. Some
automakers are implementing it in new models.
Just like every trial and error test, the polycarbonate windows do have a downside. One of the
concerns is the flexibility and resistance these windows have of not cracking or shattering like
glass in case of an accident. This factor could increase the potential difficulties of extracting
accident victims.
The polycarbonate windows will also need to:
Meet scratch-resistance requirements
Must be able to withstand defrosters in cold weather
Must have special ultraviolet protection to prevent yellow and cloudy hazing over time
Lower the production cost – right now these can cost nearly twice as much to produce as
regular glass windows
We’ll just have to wait until the test results come back and the authorities have considered every
possible scenario and compare the pros and cons of polycarbonate windows before these go into
mass production and become a standard for the future vehicles.
top related