Automated Application of Silicone Glass Like Coatings for Polycarbonate Headlamp Lenses

Silicone hardcoating and plastic headlamp lenses were first developed in the late 1970's due to the growing trend, in automobile design, towards weight reduction as well as a desire for design flexibility. A few creative people presented the auto industry with a plastic substitute that replaced glass and offered new design possibilities. Ford Motor company presented data to the National Highway Safety Traffic Administration indicating that the chance of total failure for a plastic headlamp component was less than for a glass sealed beam headlamp. General Electric's LEXAN polycarbonate with it's excellent impact and high temperature resistance, good optics, flame retardant and light weight was selected as a perfect candidate for glass replacement in headlamps.