Windshield - Definition and Overview

The windshield or windscreen of an aircraft, automobile, or motorcycle, is the front window. Windshields are nowadays generally made of two sheets of curved glass with a plastic layer laminated between them for safety. Windshields protect the vehicle's occupants from flying debris (such as dust, insects, and rocks), wind, and temperature extremes.

In many places, laws restrict the use of highly tinted glass in vehicle windshields. There is generally a maximum level of tint permitted.

In aircraft windscreens a current is applied through a conducting layer of tin(IV) oxide to generate heat to prevent frost.

Related topics

• Windshield wiper
• Wiperless windshield