Types and characteristics of automotive glass

According to different uses and processes, automobile glass is mainly divided into the following categories:

Laminated glass: It is composed of two or more layers of glass with a layer of PVB (polyvinyl butyral) film in the middle. This structure allows the glass to break when it is impacted, but the fragments will not scatter, but will be stuck by the film, which can minimize the harm to the people in the car. At the same time, it has strong impact resistance, high light transmittance, and can effectively block ultraviolet rays. Therefore, it is widely used in automobile windshields and is a key component to ensure driving safety.
Tempered glass: It is made by tempering ordinary glass by heating it at high temperature and then cooling it rapidly. Its strength is 3-5 times that of ordinary glass, and its bending and impact resistance are significantly improved. Once broken, it will split into countless tiny blunt-angle particles to reduce the risk of scratches. It is often used in the side windows and rear windshields of cars. However, tempered glass cannot be repaired after being broken and can only be replaced as a whole.
Special function glass: With the development of automobile technology, a variety of glasses with additional functions have emerged. For example, heat-insulating glass can reflect infrared rays through coating or special materials, reduce heat accumulation in the car, and reduce air conditioning load; soundproof glass adopts a multi-layer structure, and the air layer or special film in the middle can effectively block external noise and improve the quietness in the car; there is also a rear windshield with electric heating wire, which can remove frost and fog by electric heating in rainy and snowy weather to ensure a clear view behind.
Daily maintenance points for automobile glass
Cleaning tips: When cleaning daily, you should first rinse off the dust and sand on the surface of the glass with clean water to avoid direct scratches caused by wiping with a dry cloth. For stubborn stains such as oil film and bird droppings on the glass, you can use a special glass cleaner and wipe it with a soft microfiber towel. Be careful not to use detergents and other highly alkaline detergents, which may damage the coating on the surface of the glass for a long time.
Prevent damage: When parking, try to avoid areas where there may be falling objects such as branches and billboards to prevent hard objects from hitting the glass. When passing through construction sections or gravel roads, slow down and drive slowly to avoid splashing stones hitting the windshield. In addition, do not scratch the glass with sharp objects. Even if it is covered with frost, you should use a special deicing shovel or turn on the air conditioner to melt it instead of scraping it hard.
Sealing and edge inspection: The sealing strips connecting the glass and the car body are prone to aging. Check the strips regularly for cracks, deformation or detachment. Replace them in time if you find any problems, otherwise it may cause rainwater leakage and increased wind noise. At the same time, pay attention to whether there are fine cracks on the edge of the glass. If cracks are found, they should be treated as soon as possible to prevent them from expanding due to vibration during driving.
Avoid excessive temperature differences: Pay attention to protecting the glass in extreme weather. For example, do not directly pour hot water on cold glass in winter, and do not rinse the glass with cold water after long-term exposure in hot weather. Drastic temperature changes may cause the glass to break due to thermal expansion and contraction.
Precautions for replacement and repair of automotive glass
Crack treatment: If there are small cracks on the windshield (usually less than 5 cm in length), they can be treated with professional glass repair technology. During repair, technicians will inject special resin into the cracks. After UV curing, it can prevent the cracks from expanding and restore the strength and light transmittance of the glass. The cost is much lower than replacing the glass. However, if the crack is located in the driving sight area, is too long or has penetrated two layers of glass, it must be replaced.
Replacement options: When replacing glass, give priority to original glass or qualified products from well-known brands (such as Fuyao, Xinyi, etc.) to ensure that their size, strength and light transmittance meet the original car standards. The installation process is also critical and must be operated by professionals. Use special sealants to ensure that the glass fits tightly to the car body to avoid leakage, abnormal noise or falling off during driving due to improper installation.
Maintenance after replacement: After the glass is replaced, try not to wash the car within 24 hours, and do not drive at high speed or open the window to allow the sealant to fully cure. At the same time, check whether the glass is lifted and lowered smoothly, whether the sealing strip is fitted, and ensure that all functions are normal.

Car glass may seem to be a small part of the vehicle, but it plays an important role in safety protection, vision guarantee and driving experience. Only by doing daily maintenance and handling problems in a timely manner can it always play its due role.