Windshields with multifunctional capabilities are a growing trend in the global automotive market. Being in the driver’s seat means total control with capabilities such as head-up displays (HUD) coupled with acoustic and solar features. 

Introducing Saflex® Solar Connect, our newest solar-absorbing interlayer that provides cabin comfort and connectivity in sensor-compatible and HUD windshields. We’ve developed the windshield of the future that can deliver for the cars of today.  

HUD technology helps you maintain your focus on the road while viewing critical data. Sensor technology is seamlessly enabled and acoustic and solar properties help you optimize cabin comfort.

Cool reasons to choose Saflex Solar Connect:

• Heat reduction and cabin comfort
• Sensor compatibility
• Multiple product formulations
• Ease of processing

Heat Reduction and Cabin Comfort

Saflex Solar Connect interlayer significantly reduces the transmission of the sun’s infrared (IR) radiation with minimal effect on visibility. This helps to lower interior temperatures and reduce the load on the vehicle’s HVAC system compared to traditional non-solar PVB configurations. Saflex Solar Connect uses a tri-layer construction, positioning an acoustic damping layer between the two solar-absorbing layers to improve cabin sound quality. These attributes are valuable in any vehicle, but are especially helpful in electric vehicles where lightweight glazing and reduced energy consumption by the HVAC system directly translate into vehicle range improvements.

And all Solar Connect interlayers offer traditional benefits of Saflex interlayers, including safety, security, and UV protection to laminated glass.

Enabling Sensor Compatability and Connectivity

With a greater demand for windshield capabilities, Saflex Solar Connect answers the call through compatibility with both infrared and radio frequency devices such as rain sensors, electronic toll readers, and ORBIS traffic systems. Moreover, because Saflex Solar Connect marries solar control with sensor capabilities, it is a strong alternative to metal-coated solar reflective technologies, which create the potential for electromagnetic interference with mobile devices, GPS and other transmitters within the vehicle.

Smart reasons to choose Saflex Solar Connect:

• Rain sensor compatibility
• Electronic toll reader friendly
• Mobile device friendly
• ORBIS compatibility

Ease of Processing

Saflex Solar Connect is an easy-to-adopt solution for improved windshield solar performance and a drop-in replacement in lamination processes optimized for acoustic PVB. Particularly for specialty windshield configurations, it is an easy way to add solar performance without the complexity of metal coating processes, bending of coated glass and laser ablation for sensor areas. As with standard Saflex products, Solar Connect also provides proper adhesion, durability, and impact safety performance.

Product Benefits:

• Improves cabin comfort - Solar infrared rejection offers improved comfort
• Improves acoustic comfort - Reduces exterior noise by up to 4.7 dB
• Extends range for electric vehicles and reduces CO2 emissions for ICEs - Reduced load on air conditioner and provides opportunity to reduce glass thickness without compromise to cabin acoustics (weight savings resulting in lower fuel / energy consumption)
• Provides UV protection - Blocks more than 96 percent of harmful UV radiation (Test method ISO 13837, 300-400nm)

Full sun. No sweat.

Saflex® S Series solar-absorbing interlayers blocks solar heat and UV radiation transmitted through a vehicle’s glazing, so driver and passengers won’t break a sweat.

This advanced automotive solar control interlayer is an easy drop-in solution with a positive chain reaction:

• lowers interior temperatures quickly
• minimizes strain on the vehicle’s air conditioner
• improves fuel efficiency

All while optimizing occupant visibility.

High marks on energy savings

Testing conducted by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory determined that a windscreen made using the Saflex S interlayers  can reduce cabin temperatures up to 5°C (9°F). This translates to a potential four percent reduction in air conditioning power versus a conventional windscreen. That reduction in air conditioning translates to a fuel efficiency improvement greater than one percent.

On a per vehicle basis, these improvements are excellent.  Across an entire fleet of vehicles, the impact can be astounding.  

Reduce infrared waves

Wavelengths from the sun called Infrared (IR) light are responsible for generating excessive heat in vehicle interiors. Compared to windscreens made with standard interlayers, Saflex S series solar-absorbing interlayers provide measurable heat reduction in the passenger cabin of stopped or slow-moving vehicles by absorbing the heat-causing IR rays without compromising visibility.  

S Series products use more effective nano-particles for solar absorbing. They provide the best solar absorbing performance in the market and are best suited for side and back windows, and sun roofs. Due to the broad absorbance spectrum, S series products might not compatible with selected IR sensors. Please contact your representative for more information. Saflex® Solar Connect is the standard choice for windscreen applications because they allow the freedom for sensor use in conjunction with a solar product.

Product Benefits:

• Increases fuel efficiency: Lower cabin heat reduces use of air conditioner, resulting in lower fuel consumption
• Reduces Weight: Decreased air conditioner usage allows ability for smaller A/C system units
• Reduces CO2 emissions: Improved fuel efficiency helps meet U.S. EPA targets
• Signal enabling: No electromagnetic interference for mobile devices
• Added acoustic comfort: Can be combined with Saflex® Acoustic interlayers, reducing exterior noise by up to 5 dB
• Compatible with color: Can be combined with Saflex® Colors
• UV protection: Blocks more than 99 percent of harmful UV radiation
• Improves cabin comfort: Lower interior vehicle temperatures

Awards:

Frost & Sullivan 2012 New Product Innovation Award for Automotive Glazing Materials

Skin Cancer Foundation’s Seal of Recommendation, marking the first and only time an automotive-grade PVB has been recognized for its ability to block +99 percent of UVA and UVB radiation.

Keep it cool

Environmental concerns are a hot topic for OEM’s. Looking to achieve better fuel efficiency and reduce CO2 emissions?
Advanced automotive solar control glass made with XIR® automotive solar control technology lowers interior temperatures quickly, minimizing strain on the air conditioner while improving fuel efficiency, and maximizing cabin comfort.

Metallic coating reflects IR rays

XIR automotive solar control technology uses a transparent automotive film with a spectrally-selective metallic coating encapsulated between layers of Saflex® polyvinyl butyral (PVB), which in turn, are enclosed between two glass panes.
The metallic coating reflects heat-causing Infrared (IR) rays without impairing visible light transmission. The result — XIR laminated glass reduces solar heat gain an average of 35 percent more effectively than tinted automotive glass.

CO2 credit eligibility

Other positives of laminated glass with XIR automotive film — eligibility to receive U.S. EPA off-cycle credits and reduction in annual fleet emission levels. Saflex XIR Solar Control Technology has been used in more than 25 million vehicles produced by the world’s largest automobile OEMs over the past 20 years. Now that’s proven solar control performance.
 

XIR® Technical Data
 

XIR® Spectral Data