Approximately 30 vehicles on display in Detroit with laminated glass
DETROIT, Jan. 16 /PRNewswire/ -- Studies show consumers crave a quiet
ride, and laminated glass helps to provide it. Laminated glass, which is
two pieces of glass fused together by a plastic interlayer, has proven to
be effective in sound reduction and improved acoustics. Multiple cars on
the 2008 North American International Auto Show floor, such as the 2008
North American Car of the Year, Chevrolet Malibu, Lincoln MKS, and Hyundai
Genesis are utilizing the technology to reduce road and wind noise while
improving sound quality in the vehicle.
The American International Automobile Dealers Association reported that
car buyers are now changing their preferences and that drivers are becoming
increasingly enamored with silent cars.
When comparing conventional tempered glass of the same thickness,
commonly used for side, rear, and roof windows, laminated glass improves
sound transmission loss a noticeable four decibels in the 2,000 -- 6,000
hertz frequency range -- the range vital for human conversation, according
to a testing supported by the Enhanced Protective Glass Automation
Association (EPGAA) and conducted by an independent laboratory.
"With the proliferation of telematics in vehicles, particularly voice-
activated functionality, it is important that the driver can hear the
operator giving directions in their vehicle," said Pete Dishart, EPGAA
President and global product manager for PPG Industries, Inc. "If the
driver is lost in a busy urban area, they do not want to be struggling to
hear over the road noise. The noise reduction provided by laminated glass
makes clear communications possible."
Automakers are turning to laminated glass to provide improved interior
acoustics, which adds significant value by allowing for a quiet, comfortable
ride and enhanced acoustics for conversation and audio equipment. Below is a
list of production vehicles on the 2008 NAIAS show floor that offer laminated
glass:
Audi A8 Chevrolet Malibu Maserati Quattroporte
Audi Q7 Chrysler Aspen Maybach
Bentley Continental GT Ford Mustang Mercedes-Benz CL 550
Bentley Continental Infinity QX56 Mercedes-Benz S-Class
Flying Spur Jaguar XJ Rolls Royce Phantom
Buick Enclave Land Rover LR3 Saturn Aura
Buick Lacrosse Land Rover Range Rover Subaru Forester
Buick Lucerne Lexus LS 600 Subaru Outback
Cadillac DTS Lexus LX 570 Volvo XC 90
Cadillac STS Lincoln MKS
Concept vehicles featuring laminated glass:
Dodge Hornet Hyundai Genesis Mercedes-Benz GLK
Additional benefits of laminated glass include:
Safety:
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
(NHTSA), when used in a system that includes side curtain air bags,
laminated glass could help save up to 1,300 lives annually and reduce
occupant ejection in accidents involving vehicle rollovers.
Infrared/Solar:
Vehicles equipped with laminated glass can easily add infrared (IR)
coatings to block IR heat energy. Testing has shown when vehicles equipped
with these coatings are parked in the sun with the windows closed, the
laminated glass reduces the effects of solar heat on the vehicle. Test
results prove the interior of the vehicle can be up to 18 degrees F cooler
than if the side windows were equipped with untreated tempered glass. A
cooler vehicle results in a more comfortable ride, while reducing the fuel
consumption and emissions associated with operating the air conditioner.
Ultraviolet:
Comprehensive testing conducted by the EPGAA proves that cars with
laminated glass can protect passengers from harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays,
which have been associated with skin cancer. The testing has found that
laminated glass screens up to 95 percent of damaging UV rays, providing UV
protection equivalent to 50+ SPF sunscreen, compared to tempered glass
which only blocks up to 66 percent.
In addition to protecting skin, the blocking of UV light by laminated
glass provides protection to the interior of vehicles. Laminated glass
minimizes the effects of UV rays in causing interior vehicle fabric colors
to fade and degrade, leather to age, and plastic and wood to crack.
Weight Savings:
Laminated glass reduces the overall weight of a vehicle, improving fuel
efficiency. Simply changing a vehicle's window glass from tempered to
laminated can significantly reduce fuel consumption and global greenhouse
emissions. By replacing the four side windows with laminated glass, the
weight savings per vehicle can be more than 10 lbs. And weight reduction
means fuel efficiency. Overall vehicle weight reduction of 10 lbs.,
translates to savings of 1.3 gallons of fuel over 15,000 miles of driving.
Therefore if the 16.5 million new vehicles sold in the U.S. during 2006
were fully equipped with laminated glass, the annual fuel savings would be
approximately 21.8 million gallons. With a reduction of over 21 million
gallons of fuel, approximately 444 million lbs. of greenhouse gas emissions
can be eliminated per year. And the number rises to 305 million gallons of
fuel saved and 6.2 billion lbs. of greenhouse gas emissions eliminated, if
all of the roughly 230 million vehicles in the U.S. were equipped with
laminated glass.
About the EPGAA
The Enhanced Protective Glass Automotive Association (EPGAA) is
composed of interlayer and glass providers whose purpose is to provide
information and overall education on the development of laminated glass for
added vehicle security, occupant comfort and safety. Currently, DuPont
Automotive; Guardian Industries Corp.; PPG Industries, Inc.; Sekisui S-Lec
America, LLC; and Saflex are members of the EPGAA. For more information on
the EPGAA, visit http://www.epgaa.com .
SOURCE The Enhanced Protective Glass Automotive Association
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Related links:
http://www.epgaa.com
CONTACT:
Stefanie Allen, of Eisbrenner Public
Relations, for The Enhanced Protective Glass Automotive
Association, +1-248-641-1446, sallen@eisbrenner.com
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