Polycarbonate rear window 35% lighter than glass version
With the automotive industry focused on hitting future fuel economy and emission targets, the Ford Motor Company has revealed a drivable multi-material lightweight vehicle (MMLV) with polycarbonate (PC) glazing from Sabic’s Innovative Plastics business. This solution reportedly realizes a 35% weight reduction compared to the same window on a 2013 model year Ford Fusion production vehicle. The weight savings total 7.4 pounds, even though the rear window is over one millimeter thicker than the production glass window it replaces, whose density is double that of PC.
The lightweight concept vehicle was developed with the U.S. Department of Energy’s Vehicle Technologies Program, together with Cosma International (Sindelfingen, Germany) – a subsidiary of Magna International (Aurora, ON)- to illustrate long-term potential light-weighting solutions. Sabic contributed PC glazing materials, advanced coatings technology and engineering design expertise to support the rear window’s development and production.
