SABIC’s glazing materials enabled Fiat to overcome the key challenges involved in designing a rear fixed side window adjacent to an aerodynamic spoiler, including gaps between the two parts, different color tones and assembly issues. Integration of the rear fixed side window with the spoiler, made possible with SABIC’s PC glazing materials, addressed each of these challenges.

The window uses two-shot injection compression molding to create a seamless part. The crystal clarity of LEXAN GLX resin provides optimal visibility. The black CYCOLOY XCM resin serves as a fade-out band, presents uniform color across the window and spoiler, provides structural functions and contributes to superior dimensional stability in combination with LEXAN GLX resin.

To help create this part, SABIC collaborated with Fiat and provided a range of technical expertise, including predictive engineering.

The LEXAN GLX grade, a specialty PC resin, was developed with automotive glazing applications in mind. It delivers high cleanliness, weatherability, easy processing and compatibility with protective coatings. The CYCOLOY grade, a blend of PC and acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS) resin, provides superior dimensional stability and excellent aesthetics for this application.

SABIC’s polycarbonate glazing materials and expertise enabled us to achieve all of our goals for the rear fixed side windows of the 500L, including weight-out, sleek aerodynamics and cutting-edge styling.

Compared to glass, SABIC’s glazing materials gave us greater freedom to create the distinctive and desired window shape and promote the aerodynamic efficiency and fuel economy of the vehicle. It is all about maximum style at a minimum cost per mile for our customers, and we will continue to explore the opportunities presented by polycarbonate glazing materials to make further progress.

—Carlo Torreggiani with Fiat’s Group Materials Labs, Polymers & Glasses department

SABIC’s glazing materials help reduce the weight of Fiat’s rear fixed side windows by about 35% compared to glass, helping the automaker advance its fuel efficiency and emissions reduction goals for the new model.

Polycarbonate glazing is a cutting-edge technology that is viable and available now for automakers. They can use these materials today on their mass-market vehicles to cut weight by up to 50 percent for some parts and, as we see with the Fiat 500L, add value in the flexibility of design and help improve aerodynamics as well. SABIC continues to build upon our already strong know-how in automotive glazing and further invest in developing LEXAN resin and our advanced EXATEC coating systems to support our customers’ present and future needs.

—V. Umamaheswaran (UV), director of marketing, Automotive, Innovative Plastics

Saudi Basic Industries Corporation (SABIC) is among the world’s market leaders in the production of polyethylene, polypropylene and other advanced thermoplastics, glycols, methanol and fertilizers. Headquartered in Riyadh, SABIC was founded in 1976 when the Saudi Arabian Government decided to use the hydrocarbon gases associated with its oil production as the principal feedstock for production of chemicals, polymers and fertilizers. The Saudi Arabian Government owns 70% of SABIC shares with the remaining 30% held by private investors in Saudi Arabia and other Gulf Cooperation Council countries.

Innovative Plastics is a wholly owned subsidiary of Saudi Basic Industries Corporation (SABIC).