Optical properties of optically transparent glass-ribbon composites

Optically transparent glass-ribbon composite panels were made by reinforcing a clear epoxy resin with soda-lime silicate glass ribbons, as opposed to using cylindrical fibers, of matching refractive index. Cross-ply (0/90 degrees) optically transparent glass-ribbon composite panels were made by stacking either 64 or 128 glass-ribbon layers and with two-ribbon dimensions. The haze and light transmission were measured between 10? and 52?. Additionally, 610mmx910mmx18.7mm flat windshields were made by laminating 1.9-mm thick (0 degrees/90 degrees)(40) optically transparent glass-ribbon composite panels to clear polycarbonate panels in an autoclave. The haze and light transmission for the optically transparent glass-ribbon composite panels and for a prototype windshield were measured as a function of temperature while optical distortion was measured at room temperature (22?) only for the windshield. The haze changed with temperature, with a minimum at the temperature where the refractive index of the glass ribbons and the polymer were equal. The lowest haze value was found for the widest ribbon, while the light transmission was almost constant in the temperature range of study.