The Chemistry Of Saving A Life: How Your Car's Windshield Keeps You Safe
It's easy to overlook the importance of your windshield or even forget about it altogether. It's clear, after all, and a good windshield's best attribute is allowing you to see right through it. While it may seem like there isn't much going on with this simple pane of glass, it's actually one of the more complex and important pieces of your car's safety envelope. During an accident, it provides structural integrity while also failing in a way that is safe for both you and those around you. These properties aren't an accident, however—they are the result of careful engineering and a little bit of chemistry.
The Basics of Auto Glass Composition
Your car's windshield isn't a single pane of glass, but rather two panes of glass with a layer of resin sandwiched between them. The purpose of this resin layer is to provide structural integrity while also preventing the glass from shattering in the event of a failure. Instead of breaking and sending dangerous shards scattering across the ground, the glass remains bonded to the layer of resin. If you've ever seen a broken car windshield removed from a vehicle in one chunk, this is the technology that makes it possible.
Polyvinyl Butyral's Magic
The layer of resin between the panes of glass is made from a material called polyvinyl butyral, or PVB. While PVB has other uses, laminated auto glass is one of its most common industrial applications. The PVB glues the two layers of glass together. This particular type of resin is used because it offers a number of properties which are particularly well-suited for use in automotive glass. In particular, PVB is clear, strong, flexible, and bonds strongly to glass. This final point is particularly important, as it helps to keep the glass from breaking into shards when damaged.
The Benefits of Laminated Glass
In addition to staying largely intact rather than breaking into many dangerous pieces, laminated auto glass is also significantly more resistant to penetration. This is especially important in accidents, where the strength of your car's windshield can help to prevent debris from entering the passenger cabin and also help to prevent passengers from being thrown clear of the car. Since the windshield's rigidity is important for the car's structural strength, the resistance of laminated glass to breakage helps to ensure that an initial impact does not compromise the rigidity of the vehicle.
Never Ignore Windshield Damage
Your windshield is a complex and important vehicle safety element. Small cracks or chips can spread rapidly, leading to a windshield that is drastically less safe in the event of an accident. If your windshield suffers damage, it is important to repair it as soon as possible and replace the windshield in the event that the damage is too severe for a simple repair. A mobile windshield repair service company (such as Lloyd’s of Shelton Auto Glass LLC) can come to you, allowing you to fix this vital safety element quickly and conveniently.