You must have seen many high profile politicians, royals and other celebrities travelling in armoured vehicles. Such vehicles have huge and thick car windshields and doors for safety purposes. These doors and glasses are usually bullet resistant. The bullet resistant glass in cars is specially designed to resist bullets. Bulletproof glass consists of layers of fibreglass, acrylic and polycarbonate plastic. It is a flexible, high-strength transparent plastic and is one-sixth the weight of glass.
However, the term bulletproof does not mean that the bullet resistant glass in cars is completely unbreakable by gunshots. Read on and find more about bullet resistant glass in cars.
A Brief History of Bullet Resistant Glass
In the year 1909, a French chemist named Edouard Benedictus patented the first concept of bulletproof glass. This first attempt consisted of light but a resistant layer of celluloid pressed between two glass plates. Celluloid is a plastic material from which most old motion picture film is made.
Over the years, experiments began with a range of mixtures and materials that provided different results when incorporated into the glass.
Until recently, the most common material for glass are; polycarbonate plates and acrylic layered with glass to provide the desired protection.
Bullet Resistant Glass in Cars – Layers on Layers
Bullet-resistant glass is actually quite an appropriate term because no glass is entirely bullet-proof. The bulletproof glass windows are made of multiple layers of tough glass interspersed with plastic.
Sometimes a final inner layer of polycarbonate (a stronger type of plastic) or plastic wrap is used to prevent fragmentation of the pieces.
Bullet resistant glass in cars comes in different shapes and sizes and can offer protection for many different situations. High profile executives, politicians, celebrities and army personnel are likely to use cars with bulletproof glasses. Besides, car enthusiasts also know that several prestigious and bulletproof vehicles have been a part of popular thrillers. For instance, James Bond cars have also showcased some popular bullet resistant cars in the film.
How Does Bulletproof Glass Work in Cars
When a bullet hits such a glass, its energy spreads laterally through the layers. As the energy is split between different types of automotive glasses and plastic and spreads over a large area. All these multi layers slow down the speed of the bullet, hence minimising the total damage.
Which Glass is Used in Bulletproof Screens
Bullet resistant glass in cars is usually made from two or more types of hard and soft glass. The hard glass helps in diffusing the energy throughout the glass and reduces the power of the bullet.
On the contrary, the soft part of glass makes the bulletproof glass windows more elastic so that the glass won’t break into pieces and can flex instead of getting shattered. However, both types of bulletproof glass for cars must have the same refraction to keep the bullet resistant glass undistorted and transparent. Hence, the more layers of the glass and polycarbonate material, the greater it can protect against any harm.
Types of Bullet Resistant Glass in Cars
The four common types of bullet resistant glass are:
Acrylic
The type of glass offers UL 752 protection. It is one of the most common bulletproof glasses and can be used for both exterior and interior detailing. The glass offers 1, 2 and 3 level protection. For example, level 1 can stop three jacketed 9mm bullets, while Level 2 can stop three 357 Magnum shots. On the other hand, Level 3 is capable of stopping three shots from a 0.44 Magnum.
Polycarbonate
Compared to acrylic, polycarbonate glasses are comparatively soft. The polycarbonate is laminated in layers when used in the bullet resistant system. The glass offers protection for UL 752 levels 1 to level 3. Polycarbonate glass is quite durable but isn’t as clear as acrylic.
Glass-Clad Polycarbonate
The glass-clad polycarbonate glass provides a high level of resistance and ballistic protection. The glass is available in all UL 752 levels of protection. Since the glass is quite thick, it doesn’t have the best light transmission.
Laminated Glass
Laminated glass offers excellent durability, scratch resistance and protection in UL 752 levels 1 through 4. The glass is made with layers of resin and glass. Since the glass is quite heavy, this is why it requires strong framing while accommodating in car windshields.
With this, we conclude our guide on bullet resistant glass in cars and how it works. One of the main elements when shielding your vehicle are the windshields, which are protected with bulletproof glass. If you are looking for cars with bullet resistant glass and other second hand car options, then check out the used cars for sale in the UAE at market competitive rates.
It must be taken into account that the material and process vary according to each armouring company. Moreover, it is important to consult an expert if you are planning to buy or use bullet resistant car glasses.
Besides, it is highly recommended to receive help from certified companies with extensive experience in the field. Since it is not only about taking into account the thickness and resistance of the product, but also characteristics such as optical clarity, as well as flexibility and adjustment to your vehicle.
]For more on car protection and safety, stay in touch with the UAE’s favourite car blog.
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