Solar infrared reflecting (SIRR) glazing has made an impact in the automotive marketplace due to its superior heat load reduction. A significant temperature decrease in a vehicle's cabin, particularly with large glazing areas, is realized, resulting in exceptional passenger comfort, fuel savings, along with vehicle differentiation. The coating that makes this possible today, however, evolved over the past 60 years, starting when the first transparent performance coatings became available commercially. The story of the evolution of SIRR glazing starts with understanding, from a historical and technical perspective, the successes and limitations of early "influential" coatings in the glass industry that set the direction for the present stage. This stage was finally attained with the advent of the magnetron sputtering process that enables large area production of multilayer coatings, and the invention of coatings that provide both superior heat load reduction while maintaining visible light transmittance requirements for automotive glazing. New cost-effective commercial processes followed, integrating both the coating and automotive fabrication processes for the production of SIRR laminated glazing. Additional functionality, which can be realized because of the coating's electrical conductivity, has extended the use of SIRR glazing to applications such as an antenna and heated windshield. The results of the effectiveness of SIRR glazing is shown in the explosive market growth over the last four years, particularly in Europe, and an estimated total of 4 million vehicles worldwide. Every indication is that the market will continue to grow, and that coatings for glazing will continue to evolve to meet the growth demands and increasing performance requirements.
The evolution of solar infrared reflective glazing in automobiles
2001
11 Seiten, 41 Quellen
Aufsatz (Konferenz)
Englisch
New high-safety glazing for automobiles and other vehicles
Engineering Index Backfile | 1968
|Bilayer Glazing: A Concept with Improved Solutions for Tomorrow's Automobiles
British Library Conference Proceedings | 1995
|Bilayer Glazing: A Concept with Improved Solutions for Tomorrow's Automobiles
SAE Technical Papers | 1995
|A New High-Safety Glazing for Automobiles and Other Vehicles
SAE Technical Papers | 1968
|Proposed federal specification for laminated plate glass for glazing automobiles
Engineering Index Backfile | 1932