Cars will never look the same again

The polycarbonate automotive glacing joint venture between Bayer and GE plastics has gone commercial with its first system. The company was set up in 1998.
Exatec uses both Lexan and Makrolon polycarbonates as the basis for its automotive glazing, and sees such potential in the system that it envisages a new speciality automotive supply sector arising out of it. The company plans to license its technology, which consists of mow than just the supply of polycarbonate. It encompasses design, moulding technology, decoration, UV protection, plasma hardcoat-ing, bonding and the assembly of the windows.
The potential effect on vehicle styling of using polycarbonate instead of glass 'could forever change the look of automobiles', according to Exatec. Polycarbonate could provide equivalent glazing to glass at half the weight, but it is the freedom to produce glazing in 3D shapes not possible with glass where the potential lies. In addition, it would be possible to mould extra components such as fixings and lighting units as part of the window. And the ductility and impact resist-ance of polycarbonate compared with glass could enhance passenger safety.
In addition to the material technology, Exatec has worked with Summerer of Germany, which in turn has worked with Battenfeld to develop the IMPmore injection/ compression moulding process to produce these large optical parts with low moulded-in stress and at about half the clamp force needed for conventional injection moulding.
www.exatec.de