PLASTICS IN VEHICLE OPTICS

The article evaluates developments in moulded optical plastics components for automotive use instead of conventional moulded glass. Optical thermoplastics such as acrylic and polycarbonate offer low weight (about 50% compared with glass) and resistance to shattering. Moulded plastics also offer freedom of shape allowing optical systems impossible in glass. Recent applications for plastics components include moulded instrument panels, which include light guides for displays, and also rearview mirrors moulded to curves of diminishing radius to give undistorted all-round vision. Future applications discussed include cheaper head-up displays, windows and also rearview displays. (TRRL)

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/issn/03076490
• Corporate Authors:

  Mechanical Engineering Publications Limited

  P.O. Box 24, Northgate Avenue
  Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk IP32 6BW,   England 
• Publication Date: 1979-12

Media Info

• Features: Figures; Photos;
• Pagination: p. 59-60
• Serial:
  • AUTOMOTIVE ENGINEER
  • Volume: 4
  • Issue Number: 6
  • Publisher: Institution of Mechanical Engineers
  • ISSN: 0307-6490

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Acrylic resins; Automobiles; Development; Enamels; Instrument panels; Lenses (Optics); Optics; Plastics; Rearview mirrors; Vehicles; Windshields
• Old TRIS Terms: Optical glass; Substitutes
• ITRD Terms: 7402: Acrylic; 1368: Dashboard; 9013: Development; 6764: Optics; 7454: Plastic material; 1375: Rear view mirror; 1255: Vehicle; 1311: Windscreen (veh)
• Subject Areas: Highways; Vehicles and Equipment; I91: Vehicle Design and Safety;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00311795
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Transport Research Laboratory
• Files: ITRD, TRIS
• Created Date: Jul 22 1980 12:00AM