18:1 Ratio Caulking Gun

A special adhesive application tool that allows for easier application of heavier- bodied materials. The piston exerts 18 times more force than the tool's trigger.

Accelerated Aging

A set of laboratory conditions designed to produce in a short time the results of normal Aging. Usual factors included are temperature, light, oxygen and water.

Acetic Acid

An acid that can be corrosive to zinc, steel, and other types of aluminized panels.

Acetone

A colorless, volatile, water-soluble, flammable liquid made from either alcohol or by bacterial fermentation of carbohydrates; used in paints and varnishes, as a general solvent, and in chemical manufacturing.

Acrylics

A non-crystaline thermoplastic with good weather resistance, shatter resistance and optical clarity; sometimes used for glazing.

Acute Area

The area of the windshield directly in front of the driver's eyes, beginning just above the steering wheel. It measures approximately 8 1/2 inches high by 11 inches wide. This area is used as the standard for the driver's critical vision area by most auto glass shops and insurance companies in the United States.

Addenda

A document that is added to a contract to amend or is in addition to the main body of the contract.

Adhesion

The clinging or sticking together of two surfaces. The ability of an adhesive to stick to a surface.

Adhesive Failure

Adhesive failure indicated by the material's failing (pulling loose) at the surface of the substrate. Similar to "scotch" tape peeling off a plastic substrate.

Adhesive

Any substance that is capable of bonding other substances together by surface attachment. In an auto glass replacement context, it is a high-strength polyurethane material unless otherwise specified.

Aerodynamics

The branch of physics that deals with the motion of a solid body through air and other gases.

Aesthetic

Appreciative of the beautiful.

Aging

The progressive change in the chemical and physical properties of a sealant or adhesive.

AIA Form A201

An American Institute of Architects form for contracting between subcontractors and general contractors.

Air Quenching

Part of the process of tempering glass, when rapid cooling occurs by blowing air onto both surfaces uniformly and simultaneously.

Air Side

The upper surface of the glass, also referred to as score side.

Airbag

A passive restraint system that uses an explosive device to inflate a bag at a high rate of speed. The bag inflates with a gas and then quickly deflates when a vehicle occupant is thrown into it. It is mounted in the steering wheel on the driver's side of the vehicle and in the dashboard on the passenger's side. There are also airbags installed for side impact collisions. Some passenger-side airbags use the windshield to position the deploying bag.

Alcohol

A broad class of organic compounds. In this context they are industrial solvents that include methanol (used in windshield washer fluid), denatured alcohol (used in glass cutting) and isopropyl alcohol (IPA, used as a cleaning solvent).

Allen Wrench

A six-sided wrench.

Amino Acid Base

A form of chemical cure method of silicone sealant.

Annealing

The controlled process of cooling glass after manufacturing to strengthen glass and make it less brittle.

Anneal

The controlled process for making glass stronger and less brittle in which the glass is heated and then cooled.

Anodizing

A method of coating, coloring and finishing aluminum that both protects and beautifies the aluminum.

ANSI Standards

Health and safety standards set by the American National Standards Institute.

Antenna

A conductor by which electromagnetic waves are sent out or received, consisting commonly of a wire or set of wires. In some late-model vehicles the radio antenna is incorporated into the windshield or the backlite.

Anti-Lacerative Glass

Glass that has a resilient layer (PVB) added to the inner surface. It prevents passengers from coming into contact with broken glass edges on the inner surface in the event of a collision.

Architectural Scale

A ruler marked in scaled increments that is used to measure a scaled drawing.

ARG/AGR

An abbreviation of the aftermarket auto glass industry. Automotive Replacement Glass/Aftermarket Glass Replacement.

Auto Glass Repair

The act of repairing a break in a windshield or other laminated auto glass part, rather than replacing it. Auto glass repair is a permanent process that removes the air from the break and fills it with a curable, optically matched resin. Same as windshield repair.

Autoclave

A large pressurized oven used in the glass industry to heat layers of polyvinyl plastics and glass to form laminated glass.

Backer Rod

A compressible material, either open or closed cell, placed into voids between materials to insulate and allow a backing for the application sealant.

Back-Lite

Passenger car rear window.

Bar Chart

A chat used to assist in tracking progress of a project or other action.

Baroque Pattern

Wire glass where the pattern is square, and wires are parallel with the edges of the sheet.

Batch

A quantity of raw materials mixed in proper proportions and prepared for fusion into glass (also called "frit").

Bead

A sealant or adhesive compound after application in a joint, irrespective of the method of application, such as a urethane bead applied to a pinchweld. A bead looks like a ribbon of adhesive rather than a round drop of adhesive.

Belt Molding

A rubber molding between the inner and outer panels of a vehicle door through which the door glass is raised and lowered.

Bit Brace

A hand tool that is used to drill holes.

Bite

Amount of adhesive overlap between the pinchweld and windshield.

Black Edge

If the backing of a mirror deteriorates, the silver turns black.  This condition is known as black edge.

Block (setting)

A small piece of neoprene or other suitable material used to position the glass in the frame or opening.

Body Fillers

Compounds used to build up and level low areas that cannot be brought back to their original contour by straightening.

Bond Strength

The force, per unit area, necessary to rupture a bond.

Bond

The attachment at an interface between substrate and adhesive or sealant.

Breaking Stick

A stick or other material that is used to place under the score of glass or plastics that assists in the breaking of the material.

Bug

The ANSI insignia on laminated and tempered glass.

Bull's Eye

Impact damage to laminated glass that is marked by a clean, separated cone in the outer layer of the glass.

Bullet-Resistant Glass

Glass that consists of multiple layers of laminated glass. It is designed to resist penetration from medium to super-power small arms and high-power rifles.

Buttering

The application of sealant to the surface of substrate before placing another substrate in position.

Butyl Dam

See "Butyl." Butyl Tape Kits have been used as positioning dams. Other terms for a butyl dam are: Sealant Dam, Tape Kit.

Butyl Rubber

A copolymer of isobutene and isoprene. As a sealant, it has low recovery and slow cure, but good tensile strength and elongation.

Butyl

An adhesive used in earlier model vehicles for glass retention. It is a petroleum product that requires no curing or hardening. Butyl is available in rolls of approximately 15 feet. Sometimes called "Butyl Tape Kit" or "Tape Kit." It is available in various thicknesses and shapes.

Cap Bead

A finished bead applied at the top of an installation.

Carbide

A hard binary compound of carbon and a more electropositive element.  Used to coat and reinforce the tips of tools to extend the life of the tool.

Catalyst

The substance added in small quantities to promote a reaction, while remaining unchanged itself.

Cathedral

The name of the texture or a type of art glass.

Caulk (noun)

A sealant with a relatively low movement capability.

Caulk (verb)

To fill the joints with a sealant.

Caulking

A resilient mastic compound often having a silicone, bituminous, or rubber base; used to seal cracks, fill joints, prevent leakage, and/or provide waterproofing.

Cell Cast

A method of manufacturing plastics, where molten plastic is poured between two sheets of glass and allowed to cure.

Centrifugal Force

The force that tends to makes an object go outward from a center of rotation.

Change Order

A document used in construction to request and/or authorize the change of material specification or other items involved in construction.

Channel Tape

A cork and rubber composition material used to secure door glass and to fill channels.

Channel

A piece of U-shaped metal lined with felt used to reduce glass breakage and noise, and to correct alignment of moveable glass parts.

Chemical Cure

Curing by chemical reaction. This usually involves the cross-linking of a polymer.

China Markers

A wax marker used to mark glass.

Chip

Impact damage to laminated glass that does not penetrate the outer lite. Although glass is missing from the impact point, there is no trapped air in the damage.

Circle Cutters

Cutters that have a vacuum base that attaches directly to the glass.  The adjustable arm holds a ruler set to the radius of the desired circle.

Clips

Devices which hold decorative chrome to the vehicle body, or hold moldings, and so forth.

Close-Cut Or Partial-Cut Installation

An installation method that leaves most of the existing adhesive bead/bed adhered to the metal frame and adds a small fresh bead of adhesive into which to set the glass. Some vehicle manufacturers do not recommend this procedure.

Coated Glass

Glass with a chemical film applied to one surface. The film can provide such enhanced performance characteristics as privacy, solar or mirror effects.

Cohesion

The ability of a sealant or adhesive to hold itself together. The internal strength of an adhesive or sealant.

Cohesive Failure

Adhesive failure indicated by hardened material on both substrate surfaces. The material itself failed (the body of the adhesive or sealant pulled apart).

Combination Break

A break in a windshield involving more than two types of breaks.

Combustible

Any liquid that will ignite at or above 100 degrees Fahrenheit, but below 200 degress Fahrenheit.

Compatibility

Refers to the reaction a sealant has on another sealant or on another material.

Compression Gasket

A system that uses a soft gasket on one side of the glass and a firm, dense gasket called a wedge on the other.

Compression Set

Occurs when a sealant is crushed and does not return to its original dimension when the load is removed.

Compression

Pressure exerted on a sealant in a joint.

Compress

The act of pressing together or to force into a smaller space.

Contaminant

A substance, liquid or solid, which is present in a break. Contaminants must be removed from a break before a repair can begin.

Continuous Cast Plastic

A method of manufacturing plastics, where molten plastic is forced through a machine, then cooled and dried on stainless steel rollers.

Coolant

A liquid used to cool and lubricate glass while it is being cut or ground with a tool to prevent hot spots or fracturing of the glass.

Corrosion

The chemical reaction of air, moisture, or corrosive materials on a surface; also called oxidation. The process of wearing away the surface of a solid.

Cosmetic Blemish

A defect in the appearance of a vehicle. Includes torn upholstery, scratched paint and resin spills.

Cosmetic Surface

A surface that is finished or decorated to improve its appearance. Includes such things as paint, glass and upholstery.

Crack

An extended crack in a windshield from both sides of an impact point. There are several different kinds of cracks: Short crack: A crack on the windshield of 6 inches (15.24 cm) or less. Long crack: A crack on the windshield of more than 6 inches (15.24 cm).Edge crack: Any crack on the windshield that extends to an edge. Floating crack: Any crack on the windshield that does not extend to an edge. Stress crack: Any crack extending from an edge without an impact point.

Crazing

A phenomena that occurs to plastic when it is exposed to either harsh weatherization, U.V. light or force bending beyond the recommended minimum radius.

Creep

The deformation over time of a body under constant load.

Cristallo

An extremely clear glass developed by Venetian glass-makers by adding manganese (as a decolorizer) to the batch.

Critical Path Method

A management technique that breaks complicated processes down to reveal the most direct route to solving or reaching a pre

Cross-Linked

Molecules that are joined side by side as well as end to end.

Crystal

Three-dimensional building blocks that make a substance internally rigid.

CSR

Abbreviation for customer service representative. Usually a title for a dispatcher, bookkeeper or receptionist.

Cullet

Broken glass that helps a batch melt more easily.

Cure Time

The time required for a chemical or material to dry or set at a given temperature and humidity. Cure time varies with the type of material used and the thickness of the application.

Curing Agent

A chemical which is added to effect a cure in a polymer.

Curing

A process of drying and hardening over a given period.

Cut-Running Pliers

Pliers designed for use parallel to the score.  The upper jaw has two projections that taper outward from the center.

Cutting Jig

A device used to standardize the cutting of similar size and length materials.

Cutting Rake

The angle and shape of the tip of a cutting tool, such as a drill bit or a saw blade.

Cylinder Glass

Molten glass blown into a cylinder and cut apart, then reheated and flattened.

Dam

A device having a two-fold purpose:  1. A dam cushions and separates the glass from the metal frame where the glass adheres. 2. A dam holds the liquid adhesive and prevents it from flowing into the interior of the vehicle.

Damage

Same as break and crack.

Dauber

A disposable cotton applicator for applying primers and preps to the metal and glass bonding surfaces.

Decorative Glass

Art glass; cathedral, stained, or patterned glass.

Delamination

The failure of the bond between layers, as when windshield glass separates from the laminate, or when paint peels from the substrate beneath it.

Denatured Alcohol

Alcohol to which an unwholesome substance has been added to make it unfit for drinking. The denaturing substance does not affect the alcohol's usefulness for other purposes.

Density

The mass per unit volume of a substance under conditions of pressure and temperature.

Dessicant

An extremely porous crystalline substance used to absorb moisture from within the sealed air space of an insulating glass unit.

Diamond Cutters

Specially shaped diamond to score glass.

Ding

A term often used by the public to refer to a stone damage to a windshield.

Double Seal Units

Insulating glass with two materials used to form the seal of the glass.

Drag Co-Efficient

The mathematical expression of the retarding force exerted by air upon a body.

Drilling

The use of a drill to gain access to a tight break.

Drop-Jaw Glass Pliers

Pliers used for breaking glass. They have a flat upper jaw and humped lower jaw.

Dry Glazing

A method of securing glass in a frame  by use of a dry, preformed, resilient gasket without the use of a compound.

Durometer

A blunt probe used to penetrate sealants that measures the hardness from 0 to 100.

DVOM

Digital volt-ohmmeter: A high-impedance instrument used to test electronic systems.

Edge Crack

Any crack on the windshield that that extends to an edge. See also: Crack.

Egress

a path or means of going out of a building or structure, exit.

Elasticity

A measue of how well a sealant "bounces back" after it has been stretched.

Elastomer

A rubbery material which returns to approximately its original dimensions in a short time after a relatively large amount of deformation.

Elongation

A property of urethane adhesive: An increase in length expressed numerically as a fraction or percentage of initial length.

Emery

A granular mineral substance used for grinding and polishing glass.

Encapsulated glass

A type of auto glass fabrication. Pre-assembled parts that contain hardware: moldings, fasteners, clips, or gaskets. Glass with a decorative molding around all or part of the perimeter. The encapsulation can also act as a channel guide. The molding (encapsulation) is actually part of the glass and can be removed only by cutting it off the glass.

Expansive Cement

An adhesive used to anchor glass railings into a base.

Extensibility

The ability of a sealant to stretch under tensile load.

Extruded Plastics

A method of manufacturing plastics where molten plastic is pulled through a machine called an extruder.

Extrusion Failure

The failure which occurs when a sealant is forced too far out of the joint.

Fast Cure Urethane

A faster hardening adhesive. The term "fast" is relative to the surrounding temperature and humidity. Curing time is faster than for normal adhesives.

Fatigue Failure

The failure of a material due to rapid cyclic deformation.

Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS)

A series of standards required of the automobile manufacturers by the Federal Government. All new vehicle models must meet these standards before they are allowed to be sold in the United States.

Fiber Paddle

A tool with a tapered end made of plastic or fiberglass. It is used to loosen the bond between and to install a windshield into a gasket. It is one of the most commonly-used tools in gasket installations because it does not scratch paint and glass. Also called a fiber stick, bone, spoon and slip stick.

Figured Glass

See "pattern glass".

Filler Strip

A strip inserted into a rubber gasket after the glass is installed, forcing the gasket against the glass to form a seal and improve the grip. It is sometimes called locking a bead or spline.

Filler

Finely ground material added to a sealant or adhesive to change or improve certain properties.

Fire Windows

Fire endurance-rated glazing material.

Fire-Rated

A label given to a material after it has passed specific fire

Flammable

A volatile liquid or gas which has a flash point of 100 degrees Fahrenheit or 38 degrees Celsius. "Flammable" is synonymous with "inflammable."

Flare-Jaw Pliers

Glass pliers that have identical upper and lower jaws, but which widen along their length.

Flash Point

Minimum temperature at which a liquid gives off a vapor in sufficient concentration to ignite when heated.

Flexing

A method of gaining access to a tight break by flexing the glass back and forth, either with a tool or by hand.

Float Glass Process

A commercial method of manufacturing glass in which molten glass is fed into a float bath of molten tin.

Floating Crack

Any crack on the windshield that does not extend to an edge. See also: Crack.

Flowering

A flower petal effect around the outer edge of a repair. This is caused by the laminate detaching from the outer layer of glass.

Frit

The painted band around the perimeter of auto glass parts.

Full Strip Installation

An installation method whereby the technician removes the existing bed/bead of adhesive from the vehicle frame. Approximately 1-2 mm of old adhesive remains. The technician applies new/fresh adhesive on top, then sets the glass into the fresh adhesive.

Gasket

A seal, usually of rubber, that holds a piece of auto glass to the vehicle body. There are various sizes and shapes of glass part gaskets, depending on vehicle design.

General Conditions

The main provisions or qualifications to be followed, usually standardized, set forth between two parties in a contract.

Glass Blowing

The art of shaping a mass of glass that has been softened by heat by blowing air into it through a tube.

Glazing Compounds

A soft dough-like material used for filling and sealing the space between a pane of glass and its surrounding frame.

Glazing

The work of installing glass in a frame.

Glycerin

A lubricant used to preserve and maintain rubber.

Green Strength

A term used by some adhesive manufacturers to describe initial strength of an adhesive.

Grit

The amount of tiny abrasive material contained within a given area of an abrasive material.

Grommet

A ring or eyelet. In electricity, an insulated washer of rubber or plastic inserted in a hole in a metal part to prevent grounding of a wire passing through the hole.

Gun-Grade (gunnable sealant)

Sealant that is meant to be applied with a caulking gun.

Half Moon

Damage to a windshield that has a half-circle separation around the impact point. It is similar to a bull's eye.

Hand Seamer

A hand tool used to seam the edge of glass and plastic.

Hazardous Materials

Materials deemed to be of danger or risk to humans, animals or the environment.

HAZCOM

Hazardous Communications, a document required by OSHA that contains a companies policies and procedures and procedures for handling and disposing of hazardous materials.

Headliner

The fabric which lines the roof of a vehicle's passenger compartment.

Heat Strengthened Glass

Similar to tempered glass, it is made by heating anealed glass uniformly and then colling it more slowly than tempered glass.

Heated Urethane

A type of adhesive that is heated to a prescribed temperature before application. The heat "pre-cures" the adhesive for faster release of the vehicle.

Heavy Glass

A term used to describe glass that is larger than one

Heimlick Maneuver

A first

Hone Angle

An important characteristic of a cutting wheel that determines the sharpness of the wheel.

Hook Tool

A tool designed for use in installing a glass part into a gasket. Sometimes known as a cotter pin puller.

Horizontal Tempering

The tempering process where the glass travels through the oven in a horizontal plain.

Hot Melt Butyl

An insulating glass edge sealant used during manufacturing.

Idler Guides

Devices used to secure rollable windows.

IG Units

Common name for insulating glass units.

Impact Resistance

The measurement by which it is determined how much impact is required for breakage.

Impact Site

The actual location on the outside layer of glass, where it was struck by an object (usually a stone). Typically a small piece of glass is missing.

Impact

This is the most common break. It occurs when an object hits the windshield.

Incompatibility

Adverse reaction.

Ingress

An entrance, or access.

Integrated Solution

A management method that is goal oriented instead of method oriented.

Joint Design

The design of a void to be filled with sealants to prevent air or water leakage.

Joint

The opening between component parts.

L Squares

An "L" shaped instrument that can be made of wood, plastic, aluminum, or phenolic resin, and has two edges perpendicular to each other, used as a guide for the glass cutter when making 90 degree angle cuts to the edge of a sheet of glass.

Lacing Tool

Tool whose eyelet threads the locking strip while its heel presses the locking strip into the channel.

Lami

Another name for laminated glass (see laminated glass).

Laminated Glass

A type of safety glass that has a layer of plastic bonded between layers of glass. Laminated glass is used mainly for windshields.

Laminate

Vinyl inner layer of laminated glass.

Lap Joint

A joint in which the component parts overlap so that the sealant or adhesive is placed into shear action.

Lap Shear Strength

The strength demonstrated by the diagonal pull of two substrates until adhesive failure. The name comes from the lap joint created by the test samples and the shear action used to pull the samples apart.

Legs

Short cracks that emanate from a break.

Lehr

A long, tunnel-like oven used to control the rate at which glass cools from its molten state.

Liable

Being legally obligated or responsible.

Light Transmittance

The percentage of visible light able to pass through.

Lite

A term for a pane or a finished piece of glass.

Load Distribution

The specific placement of a supported weight or mass in a given area.

Locator Tapes

Tapes used to align the glass to the vehicle body during a dry set of the glass. (See Dry Set.)

Locking Beads

A term for filler strips (see splines).

Long Crack

A crack on the windshield of more than 6 inches (15.24 cm). See also: Crack.

Low E Glass

Low emissivity glass; a type of reflective glass that is popular in residential and office applications.

Manpower

The total number of people available for work or service.

Mastic (broad interpretation)

Any field molded sealant or adhesive. Includes materials which are gunned, poured or troweled into place.

Material Substitution Request

An official request in writing provided by a subcontractor or contractor, for the purpose of official notice or approval that an alternated material is requested.

MBWA

"Management by Walking Around", a management theory or technique used in the late 80's and 90's.

Mirrors

Deposited layer of silver on one surface of glass.

Misco

Wire glass where the wire is a diamond pattern.

Mobile Unit

A vehicle, usually a van or light truck, properly equipped with repair and safety equipment and tools, driven to an auto glass repair customer's home or place of business. Glass repairs are made from the vehicle.

Model Building Code

A resource of codes that have been written and adopted as the law or standard in a geographical area.

Modulus

The ratio of stress to strain.

Molding or Chrome Release Tool

Tool used to remove molding clips from a windshield or back lite.

Monomer

A material composed of single molecures. A building block in the manufacture of polymers.

MSDS

Material Safety Data Sheets, required for all toxic or hazardous materials used by a company.

Negligent

Habitually guilty of neglect, extremely careless or casual.

Neoprene

A synthetic rubber having physical properties closely resembling those of natural rubber but not requiring sulphur for vulcanization.  Extremely good weather resistance (both heat and cold) with ultraviolet stability.

Obscure Glass

Mainly used for decoration, diffusion, or privacy.The design is pressed into the glass during the rolling process. There are many patterns available.

Obsidian

Glass made by natural forces, often found in volcanic areas where heat has acted upon sand, and sodium and calcium compounds, to produce glass.

OEM

Abbreviation for "original equipment manufacturer."

Off-Set Pliers

Pliers used to trim glass in hard to reach places.  The jaws contact the glass at right angles to its edge.

One-Part Sealants

Sealants that require no premixing.

One-Part Urethane

An adhesive used in auto glass replacement that has only one component.

Opacifier

A material, either film or liquid, that is applied to the back of a piece of glass to act as a light shield.

Opalescent

Name of the texture of a type of art glass.

Opaque

Impenetrable by light.

Open Time

The time interval between the application of an adhesive and when it becomes no longer workable.

Open-Celled

As in "Open-celled foam." Foam extrusions can have the body contain connecting open cells. This allows air to pass through the foam to promote adhesive cure.

Oval Cutter

Cutters that allow glaziers to cut ovals of specific dimensions. Oval cutters can also cut circles.

Oxidation

Formation of an oxide. Also the deterioration of rubbery materials due to the action of oxygen or ozone.

Ozone

A reactive form of oxygen. A powerful oxidizing agent, it occurs naturally in the atmosphere.

Pareto Principal

A management principle that breaks down complicated processes or tasks into the vital few and the trivial many.

Passive Restraint System

A system of protection that requires no effort on the part of the occupants of a vehicle, i.e., self-retracting seat belts, airbags.

Pattern Cutters

Sometimes called rolled or rough rolled glass, patterned glass is one type of rolled glass having a pattern impressed on one or both sides.  Used extensively for light control and decorative glazing.

Peel Test

A test of an adhesive or sealant using one rigid and one flexible substrate. The flexible material is folded back (usually 180 degrees) and the substrates are peeled apart. Strength is measured in pounds per inch of width.

Permanent Set

Occurs when a sealant is stretched, released, and does not return to its original length, but remains longer.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

The safety gear worn by an auto glass repair technician. It includes nitrile gloves, safety/U-V glasses, dust and mist mask (dual strap), first aid kit, and any additional equipment required by company policy.

PIB tape

Poly-Isobutylene Tape; used to form the primary seal of a dual seal insulating glass unit.

Pigment

A coloring substance or matter.

Pinchweld (aperture)

The metal surface in an automobile opening.

Pinchweld

A type of metal weld joint. In the auto glass industry, the pinchweld is the part of the vehicle frame where the glass adheres.

Pit

The impact point from which, typically, a small piece of glass is missing.

Plasticizer

A material which softens a sealant or adhesive by solvent action.

Plate Glass

Flat glass which has been ground and polished until it is free of distortion. Most plate glass manufacturing ceased when the float glass process was developed (see float glass).

Pneumatic

An air-powered power tool.

Poise

The centigrams (cgs) unit of viscosity.

Polishing Lubricant

A lubricant use to aid in polishing glass and plastics.

Poly Vinyl Butyral

Vinyl inner layer of laminated glass.

Polymer

A compound consisting of long chain-like molecules. The building units in the chain are monomers.

Polysulfide Rubber

A synthetic polymer usually obtained from sodium polysulfide. Polysulfide rubbers make very good sealants.

Polysulfide Sealants

Sealants that adhere well to glass, aluminum, and spacer and corner materials.

Polysulfide

An adhesive used to bond auto glass to vehicles prior to the advent of urethane.

Polyvinyl Butyral (PVB)

A plastic film used in laminated glass.

Preformed Gaskets

Glazing gaskets manufactured to window openings, usually made of rubber or urethane.

Preformed Sealant

A sealant which is pre-shaped by the manufacturer. Example

Prep

A cleaner or a product that enhances an adhesive. A prep is usually applied to the glass prior to the primer.

Pressure Sensitive Adhesive

Adhesive which retains tack after release of the solvent, so that it can be bonded by simple hand pressure.

Primer

An undercoat or chemical applied to a surface to improve the adhesion, durability, and appearance of a topcoat or the bond of an adhesive. A product (chemical) used to prepare metal bonding areas and ensure a strong bond between the glass part and the adhesive.

Primerless Urethane

A type of urethane adhesive that requires no primer on the glass surface. Metal primers may be necessary.

Production Cutters

Mechanical cutters.

Pump Gun

A device used for pumping sealants and adhesives.

PVB

See "polyvinyl butyral".

Quarter Glass

Back side windows in a vehicle.

Reaction Injection Molding (RIM)

A molding process using reactive chemicals.

Regulator

A manually- or power-operated device which rolls a vehicle's window up and down.

Release Agent

A liquid solvent used to soften adhesives or sealants.

Resilience

A measure of energy stored and recovered during a loading cycle. It is expressed in percentage.

Resin Laminating

A process used to laminate curved glass and other specialized, limited batch applications.

Resin

A solid organic material, generally not soluble in water, which has little or no tendency to crystallize. Resin is optically matched to auto glass, and is used to fill breaks and cracks.

Resources

A source of support or help, as in resources of manpower or equipment.

Reveal Molding

Chrome or plastic molding which fits over and covers the edges of the windshield and back glass.

Rolled Glass

Manufactured by pouring glass from the furnace into a series of rollers, then shaped to the desired thickness, annealed and cut to size.  There are two basic types, Patterned glass and Wired glass.

Rubber Blocks or Spacers

Small rubber blocks/spacers, used by some manufacturers, to separate the glass from the metal frame.

Safety Glass

A general term used for either laminated or tempered glass. Only glass which has been laminated, however, can specifically be called laminated safety glass.

Safety Glazing

See "tempered glass".

Salvage Part

A part, removed from a vehicle being scrapped, that is intended to be used as a replacement part.

Sandblasting

Sand blown by compressed air for etching or decorating glass.

Sausage Packs

A type of packaging for adhesive materials. The material is packaged in an aluminum foil pack. When the material is forced out of the package, the foil is crushed, reducing the amount of disposable waste.

Score

The term used to describe a "cut" on the surface of a glass or mirror with a glass cutter.

Sealant

Any material used to seal joints or openings against the intrusion or passage of any foreign substance, such as water, gases, air or dirt.

Sealer

A surface coating generally applied to fill cracks, pores or voids in a surface.

Setting Block

A small piece of neoprene or other suitable material that positions the glass in the frame or opening. An automotive part on which the glass rests in place.

Shaded Glass

Laminated glass in which a dark color has been added to the top section of the inner vinyl layer to improve driver visibility in glare. The color typically becomes lighter as the tint travels down the glass.

Shard

A sharp piece or fragment of glass.

Shear Test

A method of deforming a sealed or bonded joint by forcing the substrates to slide over each other. Shear strength is reported in units of force per unit area (psi).

Shelf Life

The amount of time the adhesive material stays fresh without being used. If the material exceeds its shelf life, some of the adhesive properties may be lost.

Shore A

Test used to measure hardness of sealants, usually referred to as Shore A (Shore Instrument Company

Shore Hardness

The measure of firmness of a compound by means of a Durometer Hardness Gauge. (Range of 20-25 is about the firmness of an art gum eraser. Range of 90 is about the firmness of a rubber shoe heel.)

Short Crack

A crack on the windshield of 6 inches (15.24 cm) or less. See also: Crack.

Shrinkage

The percentage weight loss under specified conditions.

Side-Lite

Passenger car side windows.

Silicone

A chemical used as a lubricant or as a sealant with a wide variety of usage.

Single Seal Units

IG unit manfactured with only one sealant.

Skinned Over

The appearance of an adhesive when it has started to cure.

Solvent

A liquid in which another substance can be dissolved.

Spacers, Flat

Small blocks of composition, neoprene, etc., placed on each side of lites to center the lites in the channel and maintain uniform width of sealant beads. They prevent excessive sealant distortion.

Spandrel

Opaque glazing material, often used for non-visionary areas between floors of a building.

Splines

A term used to denote filler strips.

Sputter Coating

Vacuum deposition is commonly referred to as sputter coating (see vacuum deposition).

Staffing

To provide with, or assign, a staff of employees or manpower or equipment.

Stained

See "decorative glass".

Star Break

Damage to a windshield marked by various-sized cracks radiating from the central impact point.

Static Mixer

A tube-like nozzle with a uniquely shaped insert that mixes two adhesive component materials together before the adhesive is dispensed.

Stoce

Unit of glass sheets that is transported and stored without benefit of a wood crate.

Stone Break

A break on the outer layer of a laminated windshield. Typical stone breaks are star breaks, bullseyes or combination breaks.

Straightedge

A piece of material with a straight edge for testing straight lines and surfaces or drawing straight lines.

Straight-Jaw Glass Pliers

Glass pliers that have identical upper and lower jaws.

Stress Cracks

Cracks resulting from unusual forces acting on the glass body.

Substrate

A hard surface, such as glass or metal, to which a sealant or adhesive is bonded. It is used to test adhesive product strengths.

Supplementary Conditions

Provisions or conditions of a contract that are not standardized or that are special in relation to a particular contract.

Tack, Tackiness

The stickiness of the surface of a sealant or adhesive.

Tape Glazing

Installing glass or products with butyl tape.

Tapping Ball

An added feature to a wheel cutter that is used to weaken the glass on the underside of the score line prior to breaking.

Tear Strength

The load required to tear apart a sealant specimen.

Tempered Glass

A strong, break-resistant type of safety glass that, if broken, shatters into small granular pieces.

Tempering

Strengthening glass with heat.

Tensile Strength

Resistance of a material to a tensile force (a stretch). The cohesive strength of a material, expressed in psi.

Tension

The act of straining or stretching.

Thermal Break

The pored and debridged sparation of an aluminum frame for thermal improvement.

Thermal Movement

Movement and changes in a structure caused by temperature changes.

Thermal Stress

As glass heats, it expands.  The center portion of a lite gets hotter and expands at a greater rate than the edges. When this occurs it strains the edges.  this is called thermal stress.

Thixotropic

Non-sagging. A material which maintains its shape unless agitated. A thixotropic sealant can be placed vertically in a joint and will maintain its shape without sagging during the curing process.

Tin Side

Also called the non-air side, the surface of glass facing the molten tin within a float glass furnace.

Tinted Glass

Glass to which a small amount of color has been added consistently throughout the glass BATCH. The tinting reduces glare and absorbs heat.

Tooling

The pressing of a compound in and against the side of a joint to form good adhesion; also dressing of a joint's surface compound for good appearance.

Toxicity

The level or poisonous or toxic effect of a material.

Toxic

Poisonous or dangerous to humans by contact resulting in eye or skin irritation, or if swallowed or inhaled.

Translucent

Permitting light to come through but diffusing it so that objects on the other side appear vague, distorted or imperfect.

Transparent

Permitting light to come through without distortions so that objects on the other side can be seen clearly.

Trim Ring

Ring of molded plastic or bowed metal which covers the headliner and secures the sunroof to a vehicle.

Turret Cutter

A cutter head with more than one cutting wheel.

Twist

A crack which occurs when the windshield is twisted, either by flexing in the vehicle frame or because of improper mounting. It can be helped along if the windshield has a nick in the edge.

Two-Part Adhesive/Urethane

A type of adhesive that has two component parts: Hardener and resin. In auto glass adhesives, there are two-part urethanes and two-part adhesives. Although they are different chemically, they do have similar performance characteristics.

U value

Measures the overall efficiency of a complete insulating system.

Ultimate Elongation

Elongation at failure.

Ultra violet (UV) Light

Part of the light spectrum. Ultra violet rays can cause chemical changes in rubbery materials and polymers.

Unibody Construction

A type of automobile construction. The strength of unibody construction does not lie only in the structural frame but rather in the strength of the whole.

Uniform Bead

A consistent width and appearance of a substance (adhesive) applied to a surface.

Unleaded Frit

A painted band around the perimeter of the glass applied with unleaded paint. It requires special preparation before bonding.

Urethane Breakdown

Results when urethane is exposed to ultra-violet light. Urethane breakdown appears as a chalky black powder on the surface of the hardened adhesive.

Urethane

A family of polymers ranging from rubbery to brittle. Usually formed by the reaction of a diisocyanate with a hydroxyl; also called polyurethane.

Vacuum Cup

A tool used for picking up glass.

Vacuum Deposition

A process in which glass is placed in a vacuum chamber, electric energy is added, and a magnetic reaction takes place that causes the metal atoms to strike the surface of the glass at high speeds.  The atoms coat the surface of the glass uniformly.

Vertical Tempering

When the glass is supported by tongs as it moves vertically through a tempering furnace.

VIN Plate

A permanently installed plate, displaying the vehicle identification number, which is viewable through the windshield from outside the vehicle.

Viscosity

A measure of the flow properties of a liquid or paste. Example

Vulcanization

A process in which rubber is treated with chemicals to harden and strengthen it.

Weatherometer

An environmental chamber in which specimens are subjected to water spray and ultraviolet light.

Wedge Glazing

Interior, flexible, continuous, pressure fit gasket that insures a high compression seal between the glass and aluminum, while applying pressure and seal to the outside architectural glazing tape.

Weep Holes

A small opening in a wall or window-sill member, through which water may drain to the building exterior.

Wet Glazing

A method of sealing glass in a frame by use of sealants rather than dry-glazing gaskets.

Wheel Cutter

The most common type of hand glass cutter.

Wind Load

Force exerted by winds on building panels and complete structrues; may be inward (positive) or outward (negative).

Windshield Repair

The act of repairing a break in a windshield, or other laminated auto glass part, rather than replacing it. Windshield repair is a permanent process that removes the air from the break and fills it with a curable, optically matched resin. Same as auto glass repair.

Wired Glass

Made by feeding a welded wire net of a particular design into the molten glass just before it enters the roller. The wire holds the lite (or pane) in the sash in case it shatters.