Tempered glass windshields

Laminated windshields, as opposed to tempered glass windshields, are gaining in market share outside of North America. From 37% of the non-North American market of 1976, they were estimated to have reached 75% by 1982 (13). In addition to North America, Belgium, Italy, and the Scandinavian countries permit only laminated windshields, and other nations are increasing use by customer option. The trend toward laminated windshields is expected to continue and nonlaminated windshields will likely be obsolete by the year 2000 (14). 

The front windshield of a car is not tempered. Rather, there is a piece of plastic sandwiched by two pieces of glass. This prevent, pieces of glass from flying into the driver s face, and it maintains visibility because broken tempered glass is difficult to see through. 

Most of the applications for vinyl acetate are mature. The strongest growth areas are in ethylene-vinyl alcohol, poly(vinyl butyral), and vinyl acetate-ethylene resins. Growth of use for ethylene-vinyl alcohol is expected at 10-15%/year through 2004. Poly(vinyl hutyral) is used in safety glass in automobile windshields. The U.S. market is mature for this use, hut has a potential as a replacement for tempered glass in Europe. A potential market exists for side and rear automobile windows worldwide (23). 

Glass, plate Flat, high quality glass with plane parallel sides. Usually formed hy the float glass process. May he bent into a curvature as, for example, automotive windshields. May be tempered or hardened. Also called Flat glass. 

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