Ford GT debuts Gorilla glass
The all-new 2016 Ford GT supercar will debut the Corning Gorilla Glass hybrid windscreen – which it claims is a more durable, scratch-resistant window that is about 30% lighter than traditional glass.
Developed by Ford and Corning, the window will be used on both the windscreen and rear engine cover of the Ford GT, contributing to enhanced vehicle handling, improved fuel efficiency and reduced risk of glass damage.
‘Gorilla Glass hybrid is a great example of how Ford works with suppliers to innovate in every area of our business,’ said Hau Thai-Tang, Ford global purchasing group vice president. ‘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.’
‘This successful collaboration is one of the reasons we spend research and development resources to develop new innovations and solve tough problems,’ said Wendell Weeks, chief executive officer, Corning Incorporated. ‘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 centre, with toughened glass as the outer layer. The result is a windshield and rear engine cover approximately 32% lighter than competitive vehicles.
The new Gorilla Glass hybrid window laminate is approximately 25% to 50% thinner, and has equal to, or greater strength than traditional laminate. Traditional laminate glass ranges from four millimetres to six millimetres in thickness, while Gorilla Glass hybrid window ranges from three to four millimetres.
The new technology was tested over stone and in rough road conditions, and had to endure specific projectile, rollover and wind tunnel testing.
