Ford GT to feature Corning Gorilla glass hybrid windshields

Ford Motor Company has partnered with Corning to develop Gorilla glass hybrid windshields – a tough, durable, scratch-resistant window that is about 30 per cent lighter than traditional glass. The new hybrid window is set to be used on both the windshield and rear engine cover of Ford GT, thereby contributing to reduced risk of glass damage.

Hau Thai-Tang, Ford group VP – Global purchasing commented, “Gorilla glass hybrid is a great example of how Ford works with suppliers to innovate in every area of our business. Ford GT is setting new standards for innovation through performance and light-weighting, and we’re excited about exploring other applications for this great new technology.”

Corning introduced the Gorilla glass to the consumer electronics market in 2007. The US-based carmaker engaged Corning to help research and develop a unique formulation for exterior vehicle glass, and this was developed within four months.

Wendell Weeks, CEO, Corning said, “This successful collaboration is one of the reasons we spend R&D resources to develop new innovations and solve tough problems. Ford recognised the significant value of these innovative light-weighting technology and committed significant resources to quickly get it qualified for production applications. We worked with Ford to develop a glass that successfully withstood thousands of hours of durability testing and is now being used in a Ford production vehicle. We are excited to introduce this game changing technology to the market.”

The new hybrid glass uses a multilayer approach – a pane of toughened automotive-grade formed hybrid acts as the strengthened inner layer, an advanced noise-absorbing thermoplastic interlayer is in the center, and an annealed glass serves as the outer layer. The result is a windshield and rear engine cover approximately 32 per cent lighter than other vehicles.

The new Gorilla glass hybrid window laminate is approximately 25 per cent to 50 per cent thinner, and has equal to, or greater strength than traditional laminate. Traditional laminate glass ranges from 4 to 6mm in thickness, whereas Gorilla glass hybrid window ranges from 3 to 4 mm. This reduction in thickness reduces the weight of each panel. Plus, the glass is more robust due to advanced processes for contaminant reduction, chemical strengthening, unique edge treatment and laminate construction.

Paul Linden, Ford body exteriors engineer explained, “During development, we tried different glass variations before we found a combination that provided both weight savings and the durability needed for exterior automotive glass. We learned, somewhat counter-intuitively, that the strengthened interior layer of the windshield is key to the success of the hybrid window.”

The new technology was tested over stone and in rough road conditions, and had to endure specific projectile, rollover and wind tunnel testing.