Sabic’s Innovative Plastics business says it is making continued progress in the adoption of its polycarbonate (PC) glazing materials for automotive window applications with Fiat’s new 500L multi-purpose vehicle (MPV), which features rear fixed side windows moulded from Sabic’s clear Lexan GLX resin and black Cycoloy resin.

These high-performance Sabic materials help reduce weight by about 35 per cent, improve aerodynamic efficiency and achieve the desired styling vs glass. The Fiat 500L has already launched in Europe and is set to roll out in the US in early 2013. The rear fixed side windows of the vehicle will be the first in the US to use two-shot injection compression moulding, which allows for the seamless integration of an aerodynamic spoiler. The Fiat 500L windows demonstrate the enabling power of Sabic’s PC glazing materials, the practical application of PC glazing in today’s mass production vehicles and the continued traction of PC glazing in the automotive industry.

“Sabic’s polycarbonate glazing materials and expertise enabled us to achieve all of our goals for the rear fixed side windows of the 500L, including weight-out, sleek aerodynamics and cutting-edge styling,” said Carlo Torreggiani, who is with Fiat’s Group Materials Labs, polymers and glasses department.

“Compared to glass, Sabic’s glazing materials gave us greater freedom to create the distinctive and desired window shape and promote the aerodynamic efficiency and fuel economy of the vehicle. It is all about maximum style at a minimum cost per mile for our customers, and we will continue to explore the opportunities presented by polycarbonate glazing materials to make further progress.”

35PC WEIGHT REDUCTION
Sabic’s glazing materials help reduce the weight of Fiat’s rear fixed side windows by about 35 per cent compared to glass, helping the automaker advance its fuel efficiency and emissions reduction goals for the new model.

“Polycarbonate glazing technology and resins are production-ready and are increasingly being adopted by forward-looking automakers like Fiat, and we are pleased to have collaborated with our valued customer on this next chapter of the iconic 500 vehicle series,” said V Umamaheswaran (UV), Sabic director of marketing for automotive, Innovative Plastics.

“Polycarbonate glazing is a cutting-edge technology that is viable and available now for automakers. They can use these materials today on their mass-market vehicles to cut weight by up to 50 per cent for some parts and, as we see with the Fiat 500L, add value in the flexibility of design and help improve aerodynamics as well.”