Prevention of Frost Formation on Automobile Glazing

Energy radiation during clear mornings causes a temperature drop on outdoor surfaces. If this drop is big enough, moisture will condense and lead to frost formation during cold weather. This is a nuisance and a safety risk for the driver when it occurs on car windows.

If the surface of the glazing is coated so that the emissivity within certain spectral bands is low, frost formation can be prevented in most situations.

In the autumn of 1986, Volvo introduced a windshield on these lines. Tests indicate that the number of mornings when scraping is necessary is reduced by more than 80% in the Swedish coastal climate.