MOSCOW (MRC) -- Toyota’s special edition 86 GRMN sports car is the first production vehicle to feature a rear quarter window in polycarbonate (PC) material with a plasma-coat solution designed to deliver the highest level of durability performance, as per the company's press release.
The car’s rear quarter window is injection molded with LEXAN resin, an optically clear and lightweight-enabling PC material from SABIC. The window is about 50% lighter compared to a conventional glass solution.
Until now, manufacturers have produced rear quarter windows in PC using wet-coat only solutions. Depending on vehicle type and passenger position, wet-coat solutions can meet industry requirements for weatherability and abrasion resistance at that window location. In some cases though, a higher level of performance is required to meet driver visibility needs.
Because Toyota wished to achieve regulatory requirements at a global level, the Japan-based OEM turned to EXATEC plasma technology from SABIC. This flexible glass-like coating is deposited on top of a base wet coat to enhance performance. Applying this advanced coating made it possible to meet Toyota’s high quality requirements.
SABIC contributed materials and development expertise to the 86 GRMN window program.
"We are proud to have supported Toyota and its Tier suppliers with this first-to-market, plasma-coated rear quarter window on a very special car," said Scott Fallon, SABIC’s automotive business leader. "No other technology is available today with the same level of durability for PC-glazed windows than this plasma solution. It is a good example of the superior value that we can deliver to today’s automakers as they strive to build light, stylish and well-finished vehicles."
EXATEC plasma coating technology from SABIC can make it possible for PC-glazed windows, where regulations allow for their use, to meet legislated driver visibility requirements.
For larger PC-glazed surfaces like backlights and sunroofs, weight savings of up to 50 percent can be possible, helping automakers to improve fuel efficiency and lower emissions.
The 86 GRMN rear quarter window is Toyota’s first use of SABIC’s plasma-coat solution for a commercially available vehicle.
We remind that, as MRC reported earlier, in 2014, SABIC announced two LEXAN sheet solutions for aircraft interiors. These innovative, new offerings - clear LEXAN XHR2000 sheet and LEXAN LIGHT F6L300 sheet - will help provide solutions to airlines’ quest for differentiated cabin interior designs while also helping to take out significant weight, resulting in a more fuel efficient aircraft. Design engineers will benefit from these lightweight, durable materials which can help to reduce system costs, offer ease of fabrication and comply with the industry’s strict regulatory standards.
Saudi Basic Industries Corporation (Sabic) ranks among the worldпїЅs top petrochemical companies. The company is among the worldпїЅs market leaders in the production of polyethylene, polypropylene and other advanced thermoplastics, glycols, methanol and fertilizers.
MRC