Why Are Car Windows Laminated Safety Glass

Though it may sound crazy part of this has to do with strength and duarability and part to do with safety.

Why are car windows laminated safety glass. The enhanced protective glass automotive association says there are benefits to using laminated glass in side windows. To make laminated safety glass the manufacturer sandwiches a thin layer of flexible clear plastic film called polyvinyl butyral pvb between two or more pieces of glass the plastic film holds the glass in place when the glass breaks helping to lessen injuries from flying glass. Laminated safety glass is what is used today and in most countries including the united states is required by law. Automakers began using laminated safety glass also known as auto glass for automobile windshields in 1927.

You ll generally have two choices the first is. Most vehicle side windows are made with the aforementioned tempered glass which shatters when it breaks but more and more auto manufacturers are building cars with laminated glass side windows. It keeps the car quieter in the cabin and can be more fuel efficient. Ok so your car doesn t have laminated glass side windows cool but now you have to decide which emergency tool to get and keep in your glovebox.

Furthering that in 1949 tempered glass became available for the sides and rear of the car as well as laminated glass for the windshield itself. If laminated glass is used plaintiffs will claim their injuries were caused by being unreasonably contained within the vehicle upon impact. The national highway traffic safety administration nhtsa determined that mortality rates from accidents increase when the occupant is ejected from the vehicle. Laminated safety glass is reserved for your windshield only.

Made using the same glass tempering method as the rear windshield side window glass is what s known as safety glass it is called this because the glass is designed to shatter into tiny harmless glass balls instead of shattering into shards that can cut. The laminated glass in your windshield also acts as a brace a fail safe in the event of a rollover. Now many automotive manufacturers are installing laminated glass on the side windows of some vehicle models instead of the traditional tempered glass. If safety glass is used they will claim laminated glass should have been used to contain them better and that the decision to use tempered glass was a cost cutting measure.

It keeps the roof of your car from completely collapsing onto you inside the car.