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As noise levels within vehicle cabins continue to be reduced, wind noise and traffic noise transmitted through the glazing increase in importance in the quest to achieve further reduction. With consumers ranking cabin noise as an important factor in vehicle purchase decisions, and with the projected increase in vehicle telematics, including speech recognition systems, the need for even quieter interiors will continue. NVH engineers have not recognized that vehicle glazing offers an effective option for noise reduction; often, only monolithic glass has been considered, where the only option for improvement has been to increase the mass (increasing the thickness and the vehicle weight). This paper presents sound pressure loss data for laminated glass compared to the tempered glass typically used for side, rear and roof glazing today.

Enhanced protective glass (EPG), which offers increased intrusion resistance compared to standard laminated glass, has been requested by several automakers worldwide. Depending on the required level of intrusion resistance, the performance of EPG is increased by modulating the mechanical properties of the interlayers. While standard EPG performs to today's specifications, testing reveals new composite PVB / PET / PVB interlayers have resulted in EPG that shows significantly improved impact resistance (resistance to penetration) as well as laminate stiffness after breakage of glass (resistance to pullout). This paper presents the results of performance evaluation of these new interlayers for EPG applications and compares them with commercially available PVB interlayers. In addition, the head-injury criteria (HIC) values of EPG with the new interlayers are discussed.

Consumers worldwide are demanding intrusion resistant automotive glazing. In response, carmakers are installing laminated side and rear glazing for enhanced protection. To insure enhanced protective glass (EPG) performance, a test is being developed to measure intrusion resistance in three simulated break-in modes. The three test modes are: glazing point attack; exterior impacts to penetrate the glazing or separate it from the vehicle body; continuous force to pull the glazing out of the body. The strength of the glazing and the strength of the glazing/vehicle attachment are both important for intrusion resistance. An intrusion resistance test method is recommended.

Laminated side glazing is a rapidly growing new application, driven by consumer demand for improved intrusion resistance and increased comfort. Performance requirements for movable door glass applications are different from laminated windshield (LWS) needs. Criteria for satisfactory performance are discussed and the performance of commercially available interlayers compared. Performance differences are significant, indicating that interlayer selection is critical for acceptable side glazing performance. The most important performance attribute is the ability to maintain adhesive bond strength to glass at the high interlayer moisture content present at exposed edges.