How Windshield and Sealant Materials Keep You Safe

Automotive windshields are specially crafted to maximize the safety of the driver and passengers in the event of a collision. Unlike traditional glass materials, which would shatter from the smallest bit of impact, today's windshields are made of a specialty .safety glass.. This safety glass is actually a complex series of tempered materials designed to withstand damage and minimize cracking.

What Windshields are Made Of

In the United States, windshields are required by law to be crafted with laminated glass, which is essentially a plastic layer surrounded by sheets of curved glass on either side. It is much more flexible than regular glass and much less likely to shatter, especially since it is affixed to the car's frame using durable polyurethane.

There are additional benefits to this type of construction, as well as the prevention of shattering. Crash test experts estimate that up to 70 percent of a vehicle's structural strength comes from the windshield during rollover accidents. The windshield also absorbs much of the impact during an airbag deployment. This means that any chips or cracks that go unrepaired might actually diminish the windshield's efficacy as a structural component of the car.

How Windshield Repairs Work

Windshield repair is about more than just fixing the cosmetic damages caused by a crack or chip. While this certainly plays a role - after all, being able to see out of the windshield is a vital part of driver safety - these repairs also restore the vehicle to its original condition and keep the factory seal intact.

Windshield repair is accomplished by filling the damage with a resin that mimics the properties of glass. Not only does this allow for a smooth and light refracting surface, but it also means that the same amount of structural strength is upheld.

The resin used for windshield repair is usually made of acrylic. Using a small vacuum, the air trapped within the crack or chip is removed and replaced with the resin. A curing process follows, in which the resin is allowed to create a molecular and lasting bond with the surrounding glass for virtually undetectable results - either from a visible or structural standpoint.

Maximizing Auto Safety

When it comes to cars, trucks, or SUVs, safety is the most important thing. It is very easy to let a minor chip or crack go a long time without repairs, since they usually appear more of a nuisance than anything else. However, as a vital part of your vehicle's structural integrity, the windshield is more than just a piece of glass meant to keep the bugs out of your eyes and the wind out of your hair. It is a component that has been designed and perfected to reduce damage. By taking care of cracks and chips today, you're taking care of yourself and your family for tomorrow.