Although giving your exterior a sleek touch, the little black dots on the car window serve more than a décor piece. Known as frits, the black dots are used to provide vehicle safety and performance. They are strategically placed on the windows to block harmful UV rays and manage heat distribution. Many functions exist within the little black dots. The automotive industry introduces innovative vehicles and technologies, which spark interest, and the functions of black dots, amongst other minute parts, show the intentionality within the vehicle’s design.
The role of frits in windshield adhesion
Seen as the little black dots on car windshields, the frits play a role in attaching the glass to the frame. They are a part of the enamel, which is sealed on the edges. The windshield has a textured feel for stronger adhesive bonding. According to DeDona Tint & Sound:
“The purpose of the frit is to provide an etched surface that allows the adhesive to bond to the glass.”
The enamel is important to keep the adhesive positioned; if it did not exist, the adhesive would deteriorate, which would loosen the windshield. The black enamel strip protects the adhesive from moisture so that it is still intact and connects well. The little black dots, frits, play a role in connecting the glass to the frame with enamel. While the design of the black dots looks stylish, the frits assist with other factors besides exterior design and assist the windshield.
Protection against UV radiation and heat distribution
The little black dots function as more than the glue keeping glass intact, they also play a role in ultraviolet (UV) radiation. The black enamel strips block harmful rays by controlling how much heat enters. They take in the rays, limiting them from deteriorating the urethane adhesive. A research paper published in the Polymers journal explains:
“Exposure of a polymer to UV radiation causes breakage of chemical bonds, reducing its molecular weight and mechanical features.”
While the enamel strips assist with blocking UV radiation, the consistent rays create a heat buildup. The non-solid black enamel strips absorb the heat unevenly, and this causes a temperature difference in the hot and cold parts of the windshield. This consistent buildup can cause lensing. Preventing this is the work of the little black dots, as they create a temperature gradient so that there is a flowing transition between hot and cold parts.
Additional functional and design benefits
The little black dots, called frits, provide benefits to the car, such as adhesion and UV protection. Their purposes go beyond that as they reduce the glare from the sun. According to Kryger Glass:
“This group of dots, called a ‘third visor frit,’ blocks the sun from beaming through the space between sun visors.”
The black dots are positioned around the rear-view mirrors so that there is better visibility and less glare. Beam Auto Glass notes:
“Frit bands around rear-view mirrors prevent direct sunlight from causing visual discomfort or hindering the driver’s view of the road.”
There has been a forensic analysis of accidents, and the frits contribute to that. A study in the Journal of the American Society of Trace Evidence Examiners says that frit patterns can assist with matching glass fragments at crime scenes, due to unique chemical compositions according to manufacturers.
The multifunctional design element contributes to safety enhancements and the durability of the vehicle. Assumed at first glance as a decorating piece, the little black dots, otherwise known as frits, play an important role in modern automotive engineering. Its functions in protecting the windshield and covering adhesive from UV rays continue to make the driving experience comfortable, along with improving the heat distribution. Frits are also used in forensic analyses, with their unique characteristics being an advantage in crime scenes. The automotive industry continues to grow and features that seem minute, and on the contrary, are important.
