The Development of Glass Transparencies for Modern Aircraft

The construction of windscreen panels for modern aircraft is described and the role of each component in meeting the requirements for pressure strength, bird resistance and optical performance is discussed. The influence of the physical properties of the windscreen components on the performance of complete laminated windscreens is discussed and the limitations imposed by these properties indicated. Silicone inter‐layers are beginning to replace polyvinyl butyral inter‐layers in high‐speed aircraft laminated transparencies when the temperatures reached are above the working limit of the conventional interlayers. New types of glass capable of withstanding prolonged exposure to higher temperatures than soda lime silica glass without loss of toughening stress, and also capable of withstanding more severe thermal shock without fracture, have been developed.