{"id":29459,"date":"2020-05-12T19:24:33","date_gmt":"2020-05-12T19:24:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/info.glass.com\/?p=29459"},"modified":"2021-11-19T13:32:38","modified_gmt":"2021-11-19T18:32:38","slug":"tesla-cybertruck-glass-break","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.glass.com\/info\/tesla-cybertruck-glass-break\/","title":{"rendered":"Why Did the Tesla Cybertruck Glass Break?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Tesla consistently headlines news in the automotive world due to its futuristic advances in technology and design. The Cybertruck is Tesla\u2019s latest vehicle, which is slated for production in 2021. According to the hype, it will be one of the toughest trucks on the road. Not only will the truck be fully electric, as all Tesla vehicles are, but it will also be extremely durable with armor-like components\u2014including the glass. We\u2019re going to take a deep-dive into what, if anything, makes this glass special.<\/p>\n

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What Makes the Cybertruck so Tough?<\/h2>\n

Tesla boasts that the Cybertruck\u2019s exoskeleton is made from \u201cUltra-hard 30X cold-rolled stainless steel\u201d. <\/em>Stainless steel is known for its durability and rust-resistance. It\u2019s typically used as hardware in marine environments where it stands up against the corrosive abuse of saltwater. Steel-body trucks are notorious for having rust spots which form in lower quarter panels, cab corners, and bed wheel wells. The stainless steel used in the construction of the Cybertruck could eliminate these longevity issues faced by traditional steel-body trucks. Additionally, the hardness of the material that will be used on the Cybertruck is designed to resist dents and other damage. Not only should this help to keep the truck looking good, but it may also help to further protect passengers in the event of an accident.<\/p>\n

But I digress; we\u2019re here to talk about glass. Tesla must have realized there was no point in making the doors ultra-strong if they didn\u2019t match them with stronger windows. This is a cue that could have been taken from traditional vehicle armoring\u2014the kind used for military vehicles and vehicles for politicians and other public figures who need extra protection when traveling. In this case, many focus on the \u201cbullet-proof\u201d (hint: there\u2019s no such thing as bullet-proof<\/a>) glass, and forget about the doors. There\u2019s no sense in making one strong while leaving the other weak since they both work in conjunction to strengthen the entire side of the vehicle.<\/p>\n

Tesla Armored Glass<\/h3>\n

Tesla refers to the glass used in the Cybertruck as Tesla Armored Glass. What does this mean exactly? Well, Tesla\u2019s website defines Tesla Armored Glass as \u201cUltra-strong glass and polymer-layered composite can absorb and redirect impact force for improved performance and damage tolerance<\/em>.\u201d It can be inferred from this description that the Cybertruck uses some form of laminated glass.<\/a><\/p>\n

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Laminated glass is created by layering glass with polymer interlayers (typically polyurethane). All windshields for on-road vehicles in the United States must be made using laminated glass. This is because the polyurethane interlayers help keep the glass intact in case of an accident. Some vehicles are also manufactured with laminated side windows<\/a> because it carries a host of benefits in addition to added strength during an accident. Laminated glass also helps deter break-ins because it is more difficult to penetrate, and the added layers help to deaden sound, making for a quieter ride. Given these benefits, it makes sense that Tesla would design the Cybertruck with laminated glass. From their description, it sounds like there may be other advancements that set it apart from traditional laminated glass<\/a>. We\u2019re excited to see what these may be as more information becomes available.<\/p>\n

Tesla Cybertruck Glass Demonstration<\/h3>\n

If you haven\u2019t heard yet, the Cybertruck\u2019s glass broke during demonstrations done at its reveal. The unexpected outcome spurred a storm of news stories, tweets, and memes. The big question is, why did the glass break? Other footage quickly surfaced which showed the same test being done before the reveal and the glass remaining intact. The Tesla team also performed a live (successful) demonstration on glass which was not mounted on the truck.<\/p>\n