Laminated glass
[2] Laminated glass is used for architecture, glazing, automobile safety, photovoltaic, UV protection, and artistic expression.
In geographical areas requiring hurricane-resistant construction, laminated glass is often used in exterior storefronts, curtain walls, and windows.
The interlayer is typically of polyvinyl butyral (PVB), ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA), ionoplast polymers, cast in place (CIP) liquid resin, or thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU).
[1] An additional property of laminated glass for windows is that an adequate TPU, PVB or EVA interlayer can block nearly all ultraviolet radiation.
[3] The thermoset EVA offers a complete bonding (cross-linking) with the material whether it is glass, polycarbonate (PC), or other types of products.
In 1902, the French corporation Le Carbone obtained a patent for coating glass objects with celluloid to render them less susceptible to cracking or breaking.
[7] In 1909 Bénédictus filed a patent, after hearing about a car accident where two women were severely injured by glass debris.
[8][9] In 1911, he formed the Société du Verre Triplex, which fabricated a glass-plastic composite to reduce injuries in car accidents.
[11] Meanwhile, in 1905, John Crewe Wood, a solicitor in Swindon, Wiltshire, England, patented a laminated glass for use in windshields.
[13] In 1927, the Canadian chemists Howard W. Matheson and Frederick W. Skirrow invented the plastic polyvinyl butyral (PVB).
[citation needed] The Aérospatiale/BAC Concorde forward pressure windshields had 7 plies, 4 glass and 3 PVB for a total thickness of 38 mm (1.5 inches).
The interlayer is meant to improve the mechanical properties such as impact strength, fracture toughness, and failure modes.
[1] The plastic interlayer is sandwiched by the glass, which is then passed through a series of rollers or vacuum bagging systems to expel any air pockets.
[citation needed] Full CMYK images can be printed to the interlayer prior to the autoclave process, and present vivid translucent representations.
[26] Since 2004, metallized and electroconductive polyethylene terephthalate (PET) interlayers are used as substrate for light emitting diodes (LEDs) and laminated to or between glass.
In natural disasters such as hurricanes or earthquakes, laminated glass will remain intact and reduce potential injuries and deaths.
The process is widely used to repair large industrial automotive windshields where the damage does not interfere with the view of the driver.
[31] Waste disposal of laminated glass is no longer permitted in landfill in most European countries as the End of Life Vehicles Directive (ELV) is implemented.
The application of heat then melts the laminating plastic, usually polyvinyl butyral (PVB), enabling both the glass and the interior film to be recycled.
