ANSI Testing

The purpose of this test is to determine the regular (parallel) luminous transmittance of safety glazing materials intended for use in motor vehicles at levels required for driving visibility.  Panels are irradiated similar to test Z26.1 Test #1

Interpretation of Results.  Safety glazing materials or multiple glazed units intended for use at levels requisite for driving visibility in the motor vehicle shall show regular (parallel) luminous transmittance of not less than 70% of the light, at normal incidence, both before and after irradiation (Test 1).

The purpose of this test is to measure the optical deviation and visibility distortion effects of flat or curved safety glazing materials or both.  The equipment for this test consists of an illuminated box as specified in the standard.  The specimen is visually observed by an examiner and compared to definitions of images also spelled out in the standard.

The purpose of this test is to determine whether safety glazing materials, of which at least one surface is plastic, will withstand exposure to simulated weathering conditions over an extended period of time. The exposure apparatus uses a long arc xenon lamp as the source of the radiation, and exposes the panel to the radiation for a specified number of hours.

The regular (parallel) luminous transmittance of the exposed specimens shall be reduced no more than 5% from its original value.  While some discoloration is permissible, no bubbles or other visible decomposition shall develop in the irradiated specimens.

The purpose of this test is to determine whether the interior surface of the safety glazing material, as mounted in the vehicle, has a certain minimum resistance to abrasion.     The apparatus for the abrasion shall be the Taber Abraser or its equivalent.  This test apparatus rotates a specimen under a specific pair of abrasive wheels with a specified fixed weight providing downward force. The samples are measured before and after with a haze meter that measures the scattering of light though the film. The arithmetic mean of the haze level of the three specimens to be tested shall not exceed 1.0%

The purpose of the test is to determine whether non-stressed transparent plastic or glass and plastic glazing materials have a certain minimum resistance to the following chemicals which are likely to be used for cleaning purposes in motor vehicle service:

(1)   One percent solution of nonabrasive soap in deioinized water (i.e., potassium oleate or equivalent)
(2)   Kerosene No. K- I or K-218
(3)  Undiluted denatured alcohol (Formula SD No. 30)
(4)  Gasoline
(5)  An aqueous solution of isopropanol and a glycol ether solvent, and ammonium hydroxide in a concentration of 3% + 1%, simulating a commercial windshield cleaner.

Specimens shall be completely immersed in the fluid being tested, held for 1 minute, removed, immediately wiped with absorbent cotton, and examined for evidence of softened or tacky surfaces.   There shall be no tackiness, crazing, or visible loss of transparency in the specimens as a result of chemical immersion.

The purpose of this test is to determine whether or not the glazing material is capable of withstanding changes in temperature. Samples are cycled from -49F for 6 hrs, then 71F for 1 hour, then 158F for 3 hours, then 70F  until the panel temperature is equalized. The glazing specimens shall show no evidence of cracking, clouding, delaminating, or other visible deterioration.

This test is for identifying the safety properties of safety glazing materials (glazing materials designed to promote safety and reduce the likelihood of cutting and piercing injuries when the glazing materials are broken by human contact) as used for all building and architectural purposes.

The test is conducted with an impacting object ( 100 lb bag filled with lead shot), suspended from an overhead support,  Each specimen is struck only once at the center with the impacting object swinging in a pendulum arc from a drop height of 18 and or 48 inches above the horizontal centerline of the specimen.  The specimen is evaluated such that it be judged to have been satisfactorily met if any one of the following safety criteria is met by each of the four specimens tested:

Type 1 “no tear or shear or opening develops within the vertical specimen through with a 3.0 in diameter sphere can pass”; for Type 2 “the 10 largest crack-free particles shall be selected and weighed… the average thickness will be used to determine the maximum allowable weight”; for Type 3 “the stiffness and hardness of the specimen shall be determined (Modulus of Elasticity and Rockwell hardness)”; for Type 4 “No breakage occurs.”