METHOD FOR ASSESSING WINDSCREEN ABRASIVE WEAR

Abstract

This study addresses safety issues surrounding windscreens use and identifies factors affecting the wear rate for windscreens and windscreen wiper blades. Moreover, it presents an original method for bench-testing the windscreen wear process. The method allows tests to be carried out under near-operational conditions. The paper also describes an automated bench equipped with an abrasive dispenser and methods for measuring windscreen wear. Tests were conducted for the effects of quartz sand, marine sand and electro-corundum on the windscreen. It was demonstrated for marine sand and electro-corundum that even the short-term effect of these forcings on the windscreen reduced light penetration to a level of 70%, i.e., a critical value for windscreens. The change in the roughness Ra value during the impact of quartz sand on the pane was characterised by a much greater variability compared to the interaction of marine sand and electro-corundum. It was also demonstrated that the condition of wiper blades was related to the roughness of the windscreen. The summary presents conclusions concerning the research method described and the study results.