Laminated glass is a glass-plastic-glass sandwich, and is standard in most windshields globally. Solutia currently holds 45 percent of the global market for PVB interlayers used in laminated glass windshields, the company said in a release.
The Super Chief has colored, laminated glass surrounding its cabin and in its panoramic laminated glass roof. The interlayer that gives the glass a unique coloring was provided by Solutia Automotive.
Ford's 2007 Lincoln Navigator, launched last week at the Chicago Auto Show, boasts a quieter vehicle cabin due to the acoustic-grade interlayer in the windshield glass, also provided by Solutia Automotive.
The Navigator follows the debut of the 2007 Ford Expedition, launched at the Houston Auto Show, which also featured a windshield made with Vanceva Quiet, a brand line of advanced interlayer products developed by Solutia.
Tests by the Australian Radiation and Nuclear Safety Agency showed a 90 percent reduction in UV ray penetration with laminated glass versus 60 percent using ordinary tempered glass, according to a release. Laminated glass also weighs 11 percent less than comparable tempered glass.
St. Louis-based Solutia Inc. develops specialty chemicals, fibers, fluids and other performance products.
Solutia provides Ford with windshields
Solutia Automotive, a producer of polyvinyl butyral (PVB) interlayer products for laminated glass used by the automotive industry, is supplying Ford's concept vehicle, the Super Chief, and its new 2007 Lincoln Navigator with laminated glass.