lgn0112

LGN Window on the Transportation Market:

Spallshield^® Composites Standard on US Trains

The Southeastern Pennsylvania Transit Authority (SEPTA) has decreed that windows laminated with DuPont Spallshield^® , a composite of polyvinyl butyral (PVB) and polyester films enhanced with an abrasion-resistant coating, should be standard on all its trains in order to protect drivers and passengers from rocks and other objects thrown by vandals.

Although SEPTA train windows have long been protected by safety glazing, the real danger posed by this particular type of vandalism is ironically not the missile but the splintering glass from the window itself. When objects are thrown at the trains, the window glazing may "spall" – the side of the glass nearest the driver's or passenger's face exploding into thousands of razor sharp slivers and shards that can result in cuts and can cause injury, blindness or disfigurement – even if the flying object does not actually penetrate the glass.

"DuPont partnered with us and the glass manufacturer to ensure that the assembled parts would meet our specifications – and those of the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA)," said Ed Murphy, chief mechanical officer at SEPTA. "I certainly consider Spallshield^® a success and a big safety improvement for our drivers," he added.

Spallshield^® is a three-layer, plastic shield that, when factory laminated to standard transportation industry glass, prevents spalling and adds substantial strength to the window glazing. It protects people in any situation where glass breakage and subsequent spalling due to vandalism, terrorism, crime or natural catastrophes pose a threat – such as banks, 24-hour retail outlets, limousines, buses or trains.