We all know the value of good car maintenance, it’s not too dissimilar to wearing a mask during these pandemic times we are all living through. Regular or scheduled vehicle maintenance not only protects yourself but also protects other road users and pedestrians. For example, it is not advisable to drive your car with a long brake pedal. It is not overly smart to drive a car with loose body panels. And if one of the headlight or indicator lamps is not functioning properly, time to get the problem fixed. 

We have all experienced the pain of being on the receiving end of a cracked windscreen. The small, often pin-sized stone that flicks up into the air, seemingly out of nowhere, and collides with your windscreen as you are out running errands, has turned from a small pin-sized chip to a hairline crack. Or worse, the crack is unrepairable and the only option is to replace the entire windscreen.

You could drive around with a cracked windscreen if channelling your inner Ace Ventura Pet Detective personality. But this is not a Hollywood comedy movie, this is planet Earth and our world is governed by rules and regulations. The general consensus is that driving around with a cracked and unrepairable windscreen isn’t smart, it most certainly isn’t safe and depending on the size and location of the crack it may not be entirely legal. To that end, such a dangerous scenario poses a safety risk to yourself and other road users. 

A windscreen crack measuring 40mm or more results in an automatic MOT failure. If the crack impairs the driver’s line of sight, it can legally result in a fixed penalty and three points being digitally added to your driver’s license.

Windscreen Safety Taken To The Next Level

It’s important to understand that the windscreen is a key structural component of a car. Once bonded in place, it significantly enhances the vehicle’s overall torsional rigidity and stiffness. A properly adhered windscreen can improve impact resistance by up to 40%, helping to mitigate the effects of unforeseen collisions.

However, this relies heavily on the quality of the adhesive. Imagine being involved in a crash where the windscreen pops out — that 40% structural integrity becomes useless if the adhesive fails to hold.

One example of the remarkable strength of modern adhesives can be found in the fighter jet industry. During manufacturing, the wings are bonded directly into position using only a layer of polymeric material — without any mechanical fasteners or rivets. Consider this for a moment: a fighter jet endures immense g-forces during extreme flight maneuvers. This example alone demonstrates just how advanced and reliable these specialized adhesives have become.

Understanding The Properties of Modern Adhesives

Modern materials science and chemistry have enabled the creation of advanced, state-of-the-art adhesives. By manipulating the molecular structure of adhesive compounds, scientists can develop new products and variations tailored for a wide range of applications. In this field, Henkel stands as the “supercar” of bonding and adhesive manufacturers.

Henkel has an extensive track record of developing and supplying carmakers with industry-leading adhesives for a wide variety of applications. The company is widely regarded as the gold standard of adhesive manufacturers — the premier league, so to speak. It operates across both industrial and consumer retail sectors.

Henkel’s top team of scientists develops bespoke polyurethane-based formulations. However, they aren’t standing beside an oversized boiling pot suspended over a wood-burning fire. Modern scientific research is conducted at the molecular level, guided by AI algorithms and extensive computational processing, which generates valuable data sets. These data sets are then analyzed and categorized to create super-strong adhesives for various automotive manufacturing applications, as well as trade professions like the vehicle glass repair and replacement industry.

TEROSON BOND is The Next Generation Now

Henkel has leveraged its extensive knowledge and experience in the automotive industry to develop the next generation of windscreen adhesives. TEROSON BOND 60, an OEM-approved bonding solution, is specifically designed for the vehicle repair industry, particularly for windscreen replacement. These adhesives must be weatherproof, resistant to the degrading effects of ultraviolet rays, capable of withstanding extreme heat, and durable enough to endure freezing temperatures.

Henkel has developed a range of cold and warm-applied windscreen adhesives. The science and mechanics behind how these adhesives work involve complex technical processes, but here’s a simplified, consumer-friendly explanation.

TEROSON BOND 60 is classified as a polyurethane adhesive composed of organic polymer chains joined by urethane/carbonate links. At the microscopic level, these polymers are thermosetting, meaning room temperature provides sufficient heat for the adhesive to set and cure.

Polyurethane adhesives can be modified into liquid or paste forms. As the chemical reaction occurs at room temperature, the polymer chains begin linking together, forming an ultra-strong network of chemical bonds. Once fully set and cured, these adhesives become weatherproof and resistant to melting under heat.

TEROSON BOND 60 offers significantly enhanced application and processing times for windscreen replacement jobs and is available in three variants:

TEROSON BOND 60 Controlled Cure: An OEM-approved, warm-applied, dual-component polyurethane adhesive with a 25-minute glazing time. This adhesive cures regardless of weather conditions, making it ideal for mounting large windows and side screens, such as in trucks.

TEROSON BOND 60: A cold-applied, single-component polyurethane windscreen adhesive with a 16-minute glazing time and a safe drive-away time of just 60 minutes.

TEROSON BOND 60 True Primerless: Another cold-applied, single-component adhesive with a 25-minute glazing time and a 60-minute safe drive-away time. The built-in primer ensures faster and easier application.

Outstanding Ease of Use 

TEROSON BOND 60, the most widely used of the three, is regarded as the industry benchmark for windscreen adhesives. It undergoes more rigorous impact tests than any other windscreen bonding adhesive on the market.

Formulated for ease, cleanliness, and speed, TEROSON BOND 60 has a paste-like consistency that prevents stringing and sagging during application. While it can be used in temperatures as low as -10°C, this is considered an extreme scenario. In most cases, the adhesive will be applied by professionals in a controlled working environment.

The efficiency of the windscreen replacement process ensures a safe drive-away time of just 60 minutes. TEROSON BOND 60 is also compatible with ADAS sensors due to its very low conductivity and complies with the U.S. Federal Transport Agency’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) FMVSS 212/208 crash test standards.

Re-writing The Industry Rule Book

Henkel goes above and beyond by conducting an in-house developed crash test standard for a 100% frontal impact windscreen retention test at 40 mph, which is 10 mph higher than the federally mandated FMVSS 212/208 test. This rigorous testing procedure further validates the superior performance of TEROSON BOND 60, which has become the preferred choice within the vehicle repair and maintenance industry.

For over 140 years, Henkel has never rested on its many laurels and accolades. The company’s core philosophy is to continually elevate vehicle maintenance and passenger car safety. If that means surpassing their own industry-standard benchmarks, you can be sure Henkel will continue to deliver, both now and in the future.

_{[Sponsored Post]}