Saint-Gobain Sekurit<\/u><\/a> and Corning are teaming up to determine the feasibility of mass producing Corning\u2019s Gorilla Glass\u00ae<\/a>,<\/u> a chemically-tempered glass much stronger than conventional automotive glass\u2014and lighter.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Gerry Parij, international marketing manager for Saint-Gobain Sekurit, made note of the venture during a presentation on new automotive glass trends at Auto Glass Week\u2122 in San Antonio, Texas, in October 2016. The company was interested in the glass and its potential in the industry, Parij says, because of its lightweight properties and strength.<\/p>\n Chemically-strengthened glass measuring a less than a half-millimeter thick, can be formed into a laminate. This reduces the windshield’s weight up to 33%, while maintaining superior strength, according to Corning\u2019s site<\/a>. Replacing normal glass with this new, lighter and thinner glass can lighten a vehicle up to 45 pounds.<\/p>\n Get an Estimate<\/a>\n\n <\/p>\n Lighter Means Lower Emissions<\/strong><\/p>\n Reduced weight translates to better gas mileage and lower emissions. This means lower fuel costs for drivers, and possibly even tax breaks for manufacturers who could avoid paying a gas guzzler tax<\/a> on less-than-efficient vehicles.<\/p>\n \u201cTo that end, PGW and Ford have introduced the ultrathin Gorilla Glass windshield in the Ford GT<\/a>,\u201d he says. \u201cAnd we are looking at going thinner, but we have to look at the tradeoff, particularly when it comes to noise.\u201d<\/p>\n The lighter weight in the glass contributes to one of PGW\u2019s approaches of controlling emissions. This can be accomplished by reducing the weight and reducing the need for air conditioning.<\/p>\n To accomplish the latter, the company is exploring methods of \u201cthermal control in the cabin,\u201d says Cavallari. PGW produces an infrared reflective glass that provides \u201cheat rejection\u201d to keep the interior of the vehicle<\/a> cool.<\/p>\n Bigger Windshields<\/strong><\/p>\n Other new trends include large windshields<\/a> and sunroofs. These trends can largely be attributed to manufacturing advancements which have helped produce stronger and lighter glass<\/a>. Parij and Cavallari each note a growing trend of increased glass surface area.<\/p>\n Cavallari says he has definitely seen an upward trend in the increasing size of windshields, particularly those which extend further overhead.<\/p>\n Parij notes that the trend is growing towards a full glass canopy that will extend from the front of the vehicle’s cabin, to the back. However, this creates a number of other issues that must be addressed. Foremost, will be the added light. Canopy glass would need to be significantly darker than the windshield<\/a> in order to promote comfort and UV protection for passengers.<\/p>\n Changing Windshields<\/strong><\/p>\n Parij says there will be a \u201csteep curve in the coming years\u201d with regard to the synchronization required for the various elements of electronic content anticipated to come for automotive glass.<\/p>\n And, Parij says, some of the things we have to come expect on a windshield will go away in the years ahead.<\/p>\n![\"Corning\"](\"https:\/\/info.glass.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/corning-car.jpg\")