Development of the Sierracin Electrically Heatable Safety Glass Interlayer

A new concept for providing electrically heatable automotive safety glass for rapid, silent removal of ice and fog condensation has been developed, based upon continuous deposition of a transparent conductive coating on plastic substrates. This concept is embodied in an electrically heatable interlayer. The technical foundations and antecedents of this product are discussed. The major components of the interlayer are described, and the use of the interlayer in subsequent lamination is illustrated as well as special design features of the interlayer particular to its use in current production automobile windshields and backlites. Generalized system considerations, including connection to a typical production power source, are described, together with a discussion of the relationship among the electrical parameters which characterize the system. Optical characteristics of the conductive coating as they relate to occupant vision and comfort are described.