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  • Should be thermoformable (we will be getting this done externally since we simply cannot do it in house with our machine)

Potential Choices:

There are two plastics that are commonly used for custom thermoforming windshields, polycarbonate and acrylic.

Polycarbonate:

  • Impact resistant

  • Some grades are even used in military vehicles (bullet resistant)

  • More resistant/durable to chips and cracks

  • Offers sufficient visual clarity

  • Easy to thermoform

View file
namepolycarbonate-074701.pdf

Look at this pdf for more specific specs. Note that from regs we need a Notched Izod Impact Strength of at least 30 kJ/m2 (ISO 180/1A) or 320 J/m (ASTM D256). Looking at the chart for general purpose polycarbonate for the ASTM D256, the value is of 12-16 ft-lb/in. 320J/m converted to ft-lb/in is 5.99. Clearly polycarbonate meets the requirements based on this sheet (I will confirm this more).

Acrylic:

  • Exceptional visual clarity

  • Decent strength, but not the greatest

  • Can break/crack during installation

View file
nameacrylic-238313.pdf

From this pdf, acrylic just does not meet the regs (looking more into this). But, for

Where we can get it done from:

Resources: