Hard-coat infused polycarbonate headlamp lens and related method

Abstract

A headlamp lens includes a polycarbonate substrate and an infused protective skin covering on at least one surface of the polycarbonate substrate.

Description

technical field [0001] The present application relates generally to the field of vehicular equipment, and more particularly to a hardcoat-impregnated polycarbonate lens that is less expensive to produce and offers better properties, including in particular better resistance to Progressive ultraviolet (UV) degradation in order to remain transparent for the free passage of light during the life of the vehicle. Background technique [0002] Currently, headlamp lenses are molded from optically clear polycarbonate. To prevent headlamp lens wear and ultraviolet (UV) weathering degradation, a clear silica hard coat and anti-UV additives are applied to the front surface of the headlamp. Silica hard-coated polycarbonate headlamp lenses provide excellent scratch resistance and excellent impact resistance. However, silica hard-coated polycarbonate headlamp lenses suffer from a number of disadvantages. [0003] More specifically, silica hardcoat processes are very expensive and often...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

However, it should be appreciated that many vehicles, including vehicles in, for example, the Sun Belt (SunBelt) regions of the United States are exposed to large amounts of UV radiation which over time decomposes the matrix causing yellowing and darkening which reduces the front performance of lighting

Additionally, as the sun's UV rays degrade the substrate, the silica hardcoat may delaminate from the polycarbonate substrate, accelerating substrate degradation

This also leads to degradation of the impact performance of the lens

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