Techni-Glass’s custom glass fabrication used in motor vehicles was officially DOT certified and received number 1071in the fall of 2016 through Element Materials Technology.
Why Is DOT Certification Important?
There are a set of strict requirements and guidelines set by the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards that ensure the glass materials used in automotive manufacturing will protect the persons within a vehicle. This ensures manufacturers using glass and glazing materials pass with the tests that measure the safety of the material.
“…the public is protected against unreasonable risk of crashes occurring as a result of the design, construction, or performance of motor vehicles and is also protected against unreasonable risk of death or injury in the event crashes do occur.” – U.S. DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Once a glass fabrication manufacturer passes a series of tests and meets FMVSS205 then they are required by FMVSS566 to apply for manufacturer identification from the Department of Transportation.
What Are The DOT Certification Tests?
According to the Federal Register from the Department of Transportation, there are a series of 13 tests to pass in order to comply with FMVSS No. 205. They have derived these tests from the American National Standard for Safety Glazing Materials for Glazing Motor Vehicles and Motor Vehicle Equipment Operating on Land Highways—Safety Standard (ANSI for short).
They cover a range of issues including:
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Radiation (Light Stability) Test
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Luminous Transmittance Test
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Humidity and High-Temperature Resistance Test
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Half-pound Ball Impact Test (Tempered Glass)
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Fracture Test (Tempered Glass)
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Shot Bag and Dart Drop Tests (Tempered Glass)
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Half-pound Ball Drop Test (Laminated Glass)
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Weather Test (Plastic and Glass-plastic Glazing)
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Abrasion Resistance Test
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Optical Distortion Test (Glazing Materials Used As Windshields)
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Chemical Resistance, Change in Temperature, and Flammability Tests
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Penetration Resistance Test (Laminated Glass)
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Optional 10kg (22lb) Headform Drop Test (not currently included in ANSI Z26.1)
The tests will simulate and determine the viability of the materials in the event of an accident, disaster, or impact across a variety of scenarios and situations.