SABIC Study Results Reveal LEXAN Resins Merits
The detailed study, conducted by SABIC designers and engineers, builds on the company’s deep, decades-long history in automotive glazing technology.
SABIC has published the results of a recent design study on automotive rear quarter windows that explored the distinct advantages of LEXAN polycarbonate (PC) resins for creating differentiated styling, consolidating components, integrating functions and enhancing aerodynamics.
These concepts reveal multiple new opportunities to significantly expand design freedom, control costs and reduce weight by replacing the traditional glass with transparent, impact-resistant LEXAN resins.
“As industry trends such as vehicle electrification continue to evolve, SABIC is seeing major new opportunities for our materials to radically change automotive styling, while simultaneously addressing the longstanding challenges of weight-out, cost-out and sustainability,” said Abdullah Al-Otaibi, general manager, ETP & Market Solutions, SABIC. “The latest concepts from our study aim to inspire exciting new window designs that address these needs by combining beautiful aesthetics with practical performance and established processing methods. SABIC’s LEXAN resins have a proven track record in automotive glazing applications, and we continue to work with our customers to proactively deliver cutting-edge ideas and innovations that can benefit OEMs, tier suppliers and consumers alike.”
The detailed study, conducted by SABIC designers and engineers, builds on the company’s deep, decades-long history in automotive glazing technology. In addition to rear quarter windows, the SABIC team produced stylish design concepts for rear side windows.
The data is available to support the feasibility of these designs, all of which can use well-established processing methods and secondary operations.
Many of the new SABIC concepts feature LEXAN resin used in curved wraparounds that seamlessly flow into other portions of the vehicle while integrating rear lighting, door latches, D-pillar trim and even sunroofs. Integrations and complex curvatures like these typically cannot be achieved with glass.
The new SABIC study also includes innovative design concepts for the rear side window. For example, one unique design (2D) features a window and a door latch that is mated to a trim insert in the D-pillar. The result is a sleek, aerodynamic design.
SABIC’s PC glazing offers exceptional advantages over glass, beginning with significantly lighter weight. With PC, designers gain the freedom to create curved forms, sharp angles and other configurations that cannot be achieved with glass.
SABIC has invested in the development of a 3K injection-molded sunroof to build competencies in molding large transparent and semi-transparent parts.
