Kopp Glass Releases First Article in Expert Perspective Series: Borosilicate Glass Continues to Outp

A new informative series will discuss emerging industry trends. In this first article, Kopp’s resident product development expert, Jim Forish – Director of Product Design, discusses how borosilicate glass lenses outperform other materials in exterior aircraft lighting applications and provide the lowest total cost of ownership to those who bear the maintenance burden.      
Over the last several years there has been growing confusion about how and when glass lenses should be used in exterior aircraft lighting applications. While weight reduction efforts save jet fuel, lightweight polymers require incessant, costly maintenance and replacement far more often than glass lenses in order to maintain proper light transmittance and ensure safety.
When it comes to exterior aircraft lenses, polymers are lighter weight than glass - but that is only one dimension of performance.
Kopp’s Expert Perspective article focuses on four key performance indicators: chemical decomposition, thermal stress, ultraviolet (UV) degradation and abrasion resistance. The costs associated with properly maintaining lighting systems that use polymer lenses is yet another dimension of performance that must also be considered.
Click here to read the article:  http://www.koppglass.com/solutions/aircraft-lighting.php
About Kopp Glass, Inc.
Since World War II, Kopp Glass has been the leading manufacturer of precision molded, borosilicate glass lenses for exterior aerospace lighting applications. Kopp’s technical expertise and close collaboration with leading aerospace lighting manufacturers has enabled them to develop cutting edge glass molding and engineering techniques that are responsive to the needs of the aerospace industry.