Can ‘Unbreakable’ Vehicle
Windshields Be Made?
“We can send a vehicle into outer space so why can’t we make auto windshields that don’t break here on earth?” Many of us have probably asked ourselves this question upon hearing that startling, worrisome sound that a rock or other debris makes when hitting our vehicle’s windshield. Our auto windshields are subject to breakage by the simplest and smallest of road debris given the right circumstances. While technology can create a windshield to withstand an impact by the type of debris with which today’s drivers commonly come into contact, the resulting windshield would interfere with our ability to drive safely and would be cost prohibitive. The time for break-proof auto windshields is not yet upon us though we do continue to learn more that allows our auto windshields to be more effective in specific situations.
One such auto windshield improvement is commonly called ‘bulletproof’ though this is a misnomer. A more accurate term is ‘bullet-resistant’. Bullet-resistant glass is basically made using the same process used for making standard windshields for standard vehicles on the road today with only slight variations in the materials and techniques. Both, bullet-resistant and standard windshield replacement glass, are a sandwiching of a sheet of polycarbonate thermoplastic material between two sheets of safety glass, all three laminated together. Except in the case of a bullet-resistant windshield, where several of these polycarbonate and glass ‘sandwiches’ are laminated together to create one, thick windshield.
Standard automobile windshields have a sheet of polycarbonate laminated between two sheets of safety glass. Some of the brand names for the polycarbonate material used are Lexan, Cyrolon and, Tuffak. The polycarbonate material used in bullet-resistant glass is usually a tougher form such as polyvinyl butyral, polyurethane or ethylene-vinyl acetate. Bullet-resistant windshields have several of these sandwiched polycarbonate and glass sheets stacked and laminated together. The amount of layers laminated together is dependant on the amount of protection required. As an example, military grade bullet-resistant windshields are typically five inches thick - some twenty times thicker than standard auto windshields.
The standard auto windshield and the bullet-resistant auto windshield function almost identically. The main differences between these two types of windshields deal with mass and velocity (speed) of both the projectile and the windshield itself. Auto windshields could be considered ‘rock-resistant’, meaning the windshield may take a hit by a small rock moving at low velocity with little to no damage. (There are other ways both types of windshields may break with little to no effort but for the purposes of this subject we are limiting the discussion to moving projectiles.) As the size of the rocks increase and/or the speed of their movement increases, most likely, so do the damages. The same logic applies to bullet-resistant windshields only to a greater degree. The larger the caliber (mass), and the greater the velocity at which it travels, the greater the damage is to the windshield. Damages incurred are also determined by the speed at which the windshield is moving.
To install only a bullet-resistant windshield, would defeat the purpose of installing bullet-resistant glass. If a vehicle has one bullet-resistant window, all other windows need bullet-resistant glass as well. Also, it is possible to compromise the vehicles ability to function by installing glass that is to too heavy and thick for the vehicles original design. The layers of polycarbonate and glass required to create a bullet-resistant windshield are custom-made and molded to the curved, outer glass. Mounting the windshield to a molded vehicle frame is extremely difficult. The installer will compromise the vehicles structural integrity without a tight, secure molding to the vehicles frame, which may require some redesigning to fit the additional layers that make up a bullet-resistant windshield.
While it is true that polycarbonate is lighter in weight than glass, it is impractical to use without glass because of its tendency to yellow, fog and, scratch easily. Even cleaning polycarbonate can cause it to discolour and scratch. Any of these issues would inhibit the optical quality of a polycarbonate only windshield. A driver would find himself looking around the windshield rather than through the windshield. With a windshield made only of polycarbonate, a minor repair would become impossible and a full windshield replacement inevitable.
The future of windshield replacement is wide open to possibilities though at the present time it looks like any major change will be well into the future. The U.S. Air Force is presently developing a transparent ceramic made of aluminium, oxygen, and nitrogen that could be used to manufacture a much lighter and stronger bullet-resistant auto glass though it is unavailable for use at this point in time.
To make a windshield that would be nearly impervious to speeding projectiles, while possible, would not serve a practical purpose within today’s standard motor vehicle industry due to insufficient development of tomorrow’s materials and because of the exorbitant cost and effort required if using materials available in today’s world. The good news is that while many are in the process of discovering tomorrow’s windshields, others are continuing to improve the windshield repair process that will carry us into the next era of automotive windshields.
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SunTec Auto Glass is a family-owned business located in Arizona, serving most of Maricopa and Pinal counties. We are auto glass repair professionals and specialize in windshield replacement, auto glass repair, window tinting and glass etching. The installation team at Suntec Auto Glass maintains the highest level of certification available in the windshield repair and auto glass replacement industry. From headlights to taillights, from the east valley to west valley, whether you are looking to have a windshield replaced or even a side window replaced such as a door glass, quarter glass, or vent glass the team at Suntec Auto Glass can do it. If you live in Claypool, Clifton, or Duncan, look no further. For professional help and premium quality automotive glass, parts and moldings. Contact us today.
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