|
Cars have brought freedom and independence to hundreds of millions of people across the world ever since the first mass-produced motors rolled out of factories a hundred or so years ago. With more cars on the road than ever before, drivers have to be increasingly wary of the many inherent dangers they face every time they step in the car, which is of course why driving tests have become more stringent, to ensure those who take to the roads are well equipped to deal with any situation that comes their way. However, it’s not all about driving ability. The car itself must be roadworthy, which is why every car must pass a yearly MOT test, covering everything from tyres and lights, to the brakes and the windscreen. Indeed, the windscreen is – for obvious reasons – a key feature of any car and must be kept in tip-top condition at all times. Even the smallest of cracks can impair a driver’s view of the road and importantly, a small crack can develop into a big crack if left to its own devices. A windscreen isn’t a single, solid piece of glass. A layer of clear plastic is embedded through the windshield between two sheets of glass. This prevents the glass from shattering into a million pieces and flying in a million different directions in the event of an accident. During the manufacturing process, the glass is pressed into the plastic from both sides with a pressure equivalent of 800 earth atmospheres, and the fact the glass doesn’t shatter during the process is testament to a windscreens strength – indeed, it would be as sturdy as granite if it wasn’t for tiny, invisible flaws. These flaws have a tendency to be discovered by other cars passing in the opposite direction, which throw up small pieces of gravel that hit the windscreen and which become the seeds from which bigger cracks form. Most of the time, bigger cracks start with a single chip close to the edge, as that is the weakest part of the windscreen. This, of course, makes it harder to spot, so repairing windscreens might not even be an option if they’re hidden from view. Furthermore, in cold weather, a small, insignificant chip can turn into a crack, as moisture can seep into it, freeze and cause it to fracture even more. Similarly, a sudden jolt such as hitting a speed bump too fast can cause a small chip to spread across a windscreen. If caught early enough in the process, chips can be prevented from worsening as they can be treated and strengthened. If left too late, however, a whole new windscreen will be a must, to ensure the car remains safe and roadworthy. Daniel Collins writes on a number of topics on behalf of a digital marketing agency and a variety of clients. As such, this article is to be considered a professional piece with business interests in mind.
Related Articles -
Repairing Windscreens, windscreens, windshields,
| 
