The laboratory has many years’ experience in testing glass used in vehicle windows. We offer a wide range of such tests, including, among others:
  • Testing resistance to environmental conditions. Including:
    • Climate chamber testing of glass,
    • Window defrosting tests,
  • Optical measurements (see Optical tests on glass – transmittance of light, haze and others)
  • Durability testing (see Mechanical resistance tests of glass)
  • Measurement of electrical properties (power, current, resistance),
  • Thermovisualisation measurements (see Thermovisual measurements of the surface temperature of heated windows,
  • UV radiation resistance tests (see also Product light and weather conditions resistance tests).

Testing glass in climatic chambers

Climate chambers, together with electric, electronic and photographic devices enable this type of testing to be carried out.

Testing glass in climatic chambers – defrosting tests

An example of testing glass windows in climatic chambers is defrosting electrically heated windows (defrosting test). During this test, a frost layer is created on the glass at a specific negative temperature.
Then, after turning on the power, photographic documentation of the thawing (defrosting) process is captured. The pictures taken and the subsequent analysis of the images enable evaluation of defrosting efficiency.

Testing glass in climatic chambers – climatic tests

Other examples of testing glass windows in climatic chambers are climatic tests carried out at a wide range of positive and negative temperatures and humidity values. If necessary, the test objects can be supplied with voltage of any type. It is possible to carry out standardised climatic cycles, as exemplified by the technically advanced test specified in the PV1200 standard.

Optical measurements of glass (light transmittance, haze and others)

Optical tests are performed in a modern photometric darkroom.
The measurements make use of – among other devices – an X-Rite spectrophotometer.
These tests aim to ensure proper visibility for the driver. These include:
  • light transmission through windscreens,
  • the diffusion of wide-angle glazing - especially following abrasion tests,
  • splitting and image distortion caused by car windows.

Durability tests of glass (tests of mechanical resistance of glass)

BOSMAL offers tests of the mechanical resistance of glass. They consist of checking
the resistance of the glass to various types of exposures:
  • the impact of a ball falling onto the glass from a certain height,
  • checking the strength of connectors for a given force,
  • impact from a sharp tool on the glass, with analysis of the resulting pattern of cracks.

 See more: 

Selected norms:

  • UNECE Regulation No. 43 measurement of electrical parameters (power, current, resistance)
  • Directives, for example 92/22/EEC
  • ISO 3538
  • ANSI/SAE Z 26.1, JIS R 3211
  • Fiat, Hyundai, Kia, Ford, VW, Volvo and other customer norms.