Biker16 Posted September 3, 2007 Share Posted September 3, 2007 Plastic glazing gains on lower weight, design freedom Glass is durable and costs less to make, but automakers’ quest for lower CO2 emissions is giving plastics a boost Weighing plastic glazing Strengths * 35%-50% lighter than glass * Can form 3-D shapes * Break resistant * Proven as car lenses, mirrors Weaknesses * Complex production raises cost * Softer, durability unproven * EU prohibits use in windshields * Extreme expansion, contraction Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
suv_guy_19 Posted September 3, 2007 Share Posted September 3, 2007 Plastic glazing gains on lower weight, design freedomGlass is durable and costs less to make, but automakers’ quest for lower CO2 emissions is giving plastics a boost Weighing plastic glazing Strengths * 35%-50% lighter than glass * Can form 3-D shapes * Break resistant * Proven as car lenses, mirrors Weaknesses * Complex production raises cost * Softer, durability unproven * EU prohibits use in windshields * Extreme expansion, contraction Actually, I would consider this off topic for the Ford forum. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RichardJensen Posted September 3, 2007 Share Posted September 3, 2007 Off-topic. I don't see "Ford" anywhere, and this is the FORD MOTOR COMPANY DISCUSSION FORUM. Not the Automotive Topics Forum. :P :P Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Furious1Auto Posted September 4, 2007 Share Posted September 4, 2007 (edited) Plastic glazing gains on lower weight, design freedomGlass is durable and costs less to make, but automakers’ quest for lower CO2 emissions is giving plastics a boost Weighing plastic glazing Strengths * 35%-50% lighter than glass * Can form 3-D shapes * Break resistant * Proven as car lenses, mirrors Weaknesses * Complex production raises cost * Softer, durability unproven * EU prohibits use in windshields * Extreme expansion, contraction Our local news demonstrated a torture test on some polycarbonate based silicone! Basically, the glasses and bowls they tested were indestructible and did not shatter even when shot by a gun, or run over by a 10 ton bulldozer!! Edited September 4, 2007 by Furious1Auto Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fordowner Posted September 4, 2007 Share Posted September 4, 2007 They use headlights as an example of why plastic would work to replace glass. Hopefully the technology has dealt with the glazing/cloudiness that develops over time. My 99 Ford Contour SVT headlights are nice looking, and I had avoided the cloudy/hazing effect until the last year. Granted my 2000 Ford Focus does not have that problem, but I wonder what it will look like in a couple years. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NickF1011 Posted September 4, 2007 Share Posted September 4, 2007 They use headlights as an example of why plastic would work to replace glass. Hopefully the technology has dealt with the glazing/cloudiness that develops over time. My 99 Ford Contour SVT headlights are nice looking, and I had avoided the cloudy/hazing effect until the last year. Granted my 2000 Ford Focus does not have that problem, but I wonder what it will look like in a couple years. Not to mention the ease at which most plastics scratch compared to glass. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mkizlvr Posted September 4, 2007 Share Posted September 4, 2007 waxing your headlights takes the haze away. at least when i do it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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