Advanced glass usage in today's cars increasing

Notable concept vehicles at the North American International Auto Show including the Lexus LF-LC 2+2 Hybrid and Toyota NSF Plug-in, plus some at the L.A. Auto Show like the BMW i3 and i8, as well as certain production models at both feature the growing use of laminated or solar filtering glass as an aspect empowering the vehicle design.

Another example of advanced glass comes in roofs designed with clear tops utilizing double walls with nano-plate suspensions between them. The roof is transparent by default, but becomes opaque when a slight current is passed through the fluid.

It is somewhat surprising to discover just how many of the new vehicles at NAIAS are using at least solar filtering glass, if not some even more advanced form of glass, according to the Enhanced Protective Glass Automotive Association (EPGAA). These products are also used for driver and passenger side windows and rear windows as well as roof glass.

Laminated glass is a high-impact glass fusing two or more panes together with a plastic film automakers have trusted for over 70 years. Benefits include reduced noise and weight (up to 12 percent over conventional tempered glass) while meeting all regulatory standards for performance.

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