TIL that black band around the perimeter of the windshield are called frits and keep it from moving around while the car is in motion
TIL that black band around the perimeter of the windshield are called frits and keep it from moving around while the car is in motion
Here's what those tiny black dots on your car windshield are really for — the answer might surprise you.
Without these dots, the glass could become loose and eventually fall out of the frame. These frits are also there for aesthetic purposes.
I thought the transition from pure black to window with dots was made for thermic reasons, so there is not a hard line between hot and cold glass, and with that less stress on the material.
The complete black border is probably for holding it to the glue, I suspect.
“Without these dots, the glass could become loose and eventually fall out of the frame."
How?
As they write in the article:
the windshield glass in modern cars is bonded to its frame using a strong and long-lasting urethane adhesive.
"This makes the windshield a structural component of the vehicle's body," explained Reina. "The frit is black painted enamel that's baked onto the surface of the glass, and it provides a secure point of contact between the glass, urethane adhesive, and windshield frame."
Afaik the dots are just an aesthetic choice, the black border is functional.
Source: my old oem one had no dots, my new one does, tech said as much
Huh, that's pretty neat. I always wondered what that was for.
I wonder if it needs to be dots or if other shapes would do just fine and dots were the cheapest in regard to manufacturing.
Probably for a smooth transition between the black and the glass. Or maybe both.