Skip to end of metadata
Go to start of metadata

You are viewing an old version of this page. View the current version.

Compare with Current View Page History

« Previous Version 3 Next »

Ideal Windshield Material Properties

  • Strong

  • Able to Withstand Fracturing

  • Moldable

  • Transparent

  • Affordable

Most Commonly Used Plastics

  • Acrylic or Polymethyl Methacrylate (PMMA)

  • Polycarbonate (PC) ← Ideal for use in the solar car windshield as PC is tough, stable, and transparent. PC is often used in many engineering applications due to its strength and design flexibility (moldability). PC is 250x stronger than glass and 50x stronger than acrylic.

  • Polyethene (PE)

  • Polypropylene (PP)

  • Polyethylene Terephthalate (PETE or PET)

  • Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC)

  • Acrylonitrile-Butadiene-Styrene (ABS)

Source: https://www.acplasticsinc.com/informationcenter/r/7-different-types-of-plastic-and-how-they-are-used

Types of Polycarbonates

  • Clear Polycarbonate ← Best option for solar car windshield applications

  • Coloured/Tinted Polycarbonate

  • Mirrored Polycarbonate

  • Bulletproof Polycarbonate

  • Abrasion-Resistant (AR) Polycarbonate

  • Anti-Static Polycarbonate

  • flame Retardant Polycarbonate

  • FDA-Approved Polycarbonate

  • Multiwall Polycarbonate

Source: https://www.acplasticsinc.com/informationcenter/r/7-different-types-of-plastic-and-how-they-are-used

Types of Clear Polycarbonates

  • Polycarbonate Clear SL Sheet ← In terms of affordability and properties, SL sheets would be the ideal material to use for the windshields for the solar car. Also sold in various thicknesses to suit our needs.

  • Clear TUFFAK SL2 Polycarbonate Sheeting

  • TUFFAK GP Sheeting

Source: https://www.acplasticsinc.com/informationcenter/r/types-of-polycarbonate-sheeting

What makes a feasible canopy windshield design?

  • Aerodynamics

  • Ease of Manufacturing

Types of Polycarbonate Forming/Molding Techniques

  • Vacuum Forming (Thermoforming)

  • Pressure Forming (Thermoforming)

  • Twin-Sheet Forming (Thermoforming)

  • Injection Molding

Note: The polycarbonate forming techniques used is dependant on the complexity of the windshield shape. More complex windshield/canopy shapes would require pressure forming while simpler shapes would require vacuum forming.

Types of Windshield Designs/Shapes

  • Cockpit (Vacuum Forming)

  • Backfin (Pressure Forming for back windshield due to sharp edge)

  • Bullet (Vacuum Forming )

  • No labels