Which phenomenon can occur with Laminated Safety Glass in windshields?

Which phenomenon can occur with Laminated Safety Glass in windshields?

• A. Spidering windshield can occur
• B. Shatters into large jagged shards
• C. Melts upon impact
• D. Remains intact under all forces

Answer: (A)

Laminated safety glass in windshields is made of two glass sheets bonded by a plastic interlayer. When struck, energy is absorbed by the interlayer, causing cracks to spread in a fine, radiating pattern around the impact site while the glass largely stays held together by the interlayer. This produces a spiderweb or spidering appearance. This behavior is what helps keep the windshield from shattering into loose pieces and potentially injuring occupants.

The other outcomes don’t fit laminated glass: it does not typically shatter into large jagged shards like tempered glass would; it does not melt on impact; and it is not guaranteed to remain intact under all forces since severe impacts can still cause cracking or delamination. The characteristic phenomenon you’d expect for laminated windshields is spidering.