Your car’s glass does more than just provide a clear view—it plays a crucial role in safety, comfort, and durability. The right glass can shield you from flying debris, block out damaging UV rays, and even protect you in the event of an accident. There are different types of glass used in vehicles and each with special qualities.
The selection of car glass is just one example of how far the automotive industry has advanced in terms of vehicle safety. This article will discuss the composition, advantages, and practical uses of the two main types of automotive glass—tempered and laminated glass.
Various types of car glass
Here is what you need to know about each:
Tempered Glass
Tempered glass is also called ‘toughened glass’. It is made by heating and rapidly cooling a standard piece of glass that has already been cut in a tempering furnace. The process strengthens the glass by five to ten times, and it can be treated with chemicals and heat to achieve balanced internal stress capabilities.
Car windows are made of tempered glass, which is less durable than laminated glass and, therefore, more brittle. The heating and cooling process of tempered glass causes it to break into innocuous pebble-like fragments. Additionally, it is used in some cell phone screens, sunglasses, baking and cooking products. Tempered glass cannot be repaired and therefore, must be replaced once it breaks.
- Composition: Tempered glass is made by a specific process that makes it much stronger than ordinary glass. The following are involved in the manufacturing process:
- Heating: The glass is heated to extremely high temperatures (roughly 620°C) in a tempering furnace.
- Rapid Cooling: High-pressure air blasts rapidly cool the heated glass. Because of the surface compression created by this process, tempered glass is far stronger than ordinary glass.
Advantages:
- Enhanced Strength: Tempered glass can tolerate a great deal of external stress because it is five to ten times stronger than untreated glass.
- Shatter-Resistant: Tempered glass breaks into small, pebble-like pieces rather than sharp, dangerous shards, lowering the possibility of serious injuries.
- Thermal Resistance: Tempered glass is ideal for both hot and cold climates because of its special structure, which allows it to withstand abrupt temperature changes.
- Resistance to Scratches and Impacts: Tempered glass is impervious to minor scratches and unexpected side impacts due to its internal stress balance.
- Widely Used & Inexpensive: It is frequently used in automotive applications because it is cheaper as compared to laminated glass.
Utilisation in Vehicles:
- Side Windows & Rear Windscreens: Tempered glass is used for the majority of car side windows and rear windscreens because it can sustain external impact and break safely if necessary.
- Sunroofs: Tempered glass is commonly used for sunroofs because it can withstand heat exposure and is less likely to break and injure people.
- Emergency Situations: Tempered glass is useful for swift exits from a car because it is designed to shatter easily when struck by a pointed object.
Laminated Glass
The purpose of laminated glass is to protect passengers from harm by withstanding severe impact without breaking. Laminated glass is more resilient than tempered glass and is commonly used in windscreens. It has three layers, the innermost of which is composed of polyvinyl butyral (PVB) sandwiched between clear-tempered glass. PVB offers excellent sound insulation and is slightly tinted to block UV rays.
- Composition: Laminated glass is durable and safe. It is made up of:
- Two tempered glass layers: an intermediate layer of the plastic film polyvinyl butyral (PVB)
- High pressure and heat are used to fuse the three layers together, resulting in a strong yet flexible structure.
Advantages:
- Superior Safety: Laminated glass resists breaking when struck, in contrast to tempered glass. The middle PVB layer holds the broken glass together and keeps it from scattering.
- Enhanced Structural Strength: One of the most resilient kinds of glass, it can withstand severe impacts without shattering due to its laminated structure.
- UV Protection: PVB layer shields occupants from the sun by blocking roughly 99% of harmful UV rays, and protects the interior of the car from fading.
- Noise Reduction: Laminated glass provides excellent sound insulation by reducing outside noise, such as wind and honking, making automobile interiors quieter.
- Theft Prevention: Laminated glass serves as an extra security measure, making it more difficult for thieves to break into the vehicle.
Use in Automobiles:
- Windscreens: Laminated glass is used for windscreens in all modern cars because of its great impact resistance and safety advantages.
- Luxury Cars & High-End Vehicles: Some high-end cars have side windows made of laminated glass to improve security and soundproofing.
- Security & Bulletproof Vehicles: Laminated glass can be strengthened even more for use in security vehicles and armoured cars.
Conclusion
Choosing the right type of car glass is essential for your comfort, safety, and driving journey. While laminated glass offers the best protection and durability, tempered glass offers strength and affordability.
Apart from selecting the right type of car glass, it is important to take a step towards safeguarding your vehicle. Opting for the right insurance coverage can protect you from sudden financial burdens in case of accidents, damage to your vehicle and even theft. Make sure to invest in a solid car insurance policy that covers glass damage and can even assist in case of medical emergencies. You may look for car insurance online to choose the best policy.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this blog is for educational and informational purposes only. It may contain outdated data and information regarding the topic featured in the article. It is advised to verify the currency and relevance of the data and information before taking any major steps. ICICI Lombard is not liable for any inaccuracies or consequences resulting from the use of this outdated information.