Polycarbonate glazing in the smart forfour

At the IAA Motor Show in September 2003, the new 'smart forfour' was hailed as an intelligent option in the compact car segment, a car that set many new standards. It actually came on to the market in April 2004 and highlights another new application for Bayer MaterialScience's Makrolon® 2607 polycarbonate, namely the front section of the panorama roof. The transparent polycarbonate component, which adjoins the rear glass roof section, is about one square meter in size and was developed by freeglass GmbH & Co. KG of Stuttgart, Germany, in cooperation with Bayer MaterialScience and smart.

In the view of Bayer's experts, the trend towards polycarbonate glazing in cars will continue, above all because of its weight-saving potential and the fact that it offers much greater design freedom than glass. Another major benefit is the integration potential of plastic parts. Transparent panorama roofs could, for example, include complete antenna modules or sunblinds. The antennas could be concealed in the metal-free black edging of the glazing without causing any shielding problems. As development moves towards complete roof modules of plastic, Bayer MaterialScience is also considering the possibility of integrating some form of lighting or solar cells into the transparent polycarbonate roof.