Dr. Matthai, as Pilot for IGPG-task force Wiper-SG1, tabled the presentation IGPG-09-03.
Dr. Buckel pointed out that with a haze of 0.2% in 50,000 cycles, the reality of the field seems less severe than the wiper test.
Dr. Buckel summarized bilateral discussions with Dr. Matthai. Assuming the same initial haze value of 0.1% in the 95% confidence area, the data of Audi show that minor changes in the delta haze are to be expected. Dr. Matthai explained that at her company, they succeeded in having more cycles than the suppliers (up to 50,000). As a summary, plastic glazing shows damage very soon, the Taber test is not relevant for plastic glazing, and some OEMs would reject it.
A debate took place on the possible correlation between mileage and lab wiper cycles. It was also found necessary to avoid a comparison with glass and rather focus on the absolute quality of plastic glazing with regard to safety.
Dr. Matthai stressed that OEMs focus on traffic safety, hence optical distortion for example is an important criterion, in particular when the customer is key for the choice of an OEM with regard to optical qualities. OICA pointed out that the OEM internal quality levels should not influence the discussions on Type Approval regulation.
Evonik was optimistic that products could evolve and suggested to put the number of cycles to 20,000. In addition, it is necessary to compare plastic with plastic (hydrophobic vs. hydrophilic) in order to make a correlation between real road tests and lab tests. Hence the correlation factor for glass cannot be used for plastic. Some experts were convinced that the wiper test is more severe for plastic than for glass, but were lacking data to know how much harder.
SABIC questioned some choices in the test method (e.g. flow of water poured on the test sample).
The spirit of the 1958 Agreement was recalled (i.e. the performance tests in a regulation could only simulate the reality) with UN R94 (frontal impact) and UN R83 (pollutant emissions) taken as examples, and the Secretary stressed that durability was an additional criterion added in the case of resistance to abrasion, and already existing in the case of UN R83 (160,000-km durability test).
The experts were lacking justifications for the values and test method for the wiper test.
Polyplastic proposed that the OEMs focus on the wiper system in addition to the windscreens since the plastic glazing is by nature a hydrophobic material. The group convened that this was out of its mandate, and that progress will happen as from the time the plastic windscreens will be allowed.
Rough evaluation of some key figures:
| Experience | Total Haze | Coating | Comments | |
| Number of cycles | Number of km | |||
| 20.000 | 6,1% | KRD | 1 sample | |
| 150.000 | < 2,5% | KRD | ||
| 20.000 | 0,2 – 0,8% | Coating B | AS4700, Real car (BMW 3-Series) | |
| 20.000 | +/- 1,2% | Coating B | AS4700 | |
| 1 million BMS | 1,2 | Coating B | AS4700 | |
| 52.000 | 10.000 | 0,2 | Coating B | AS4700 (Golf) |
| 3000 | 8.200 | 0,2% | Coating B | AS4700 (Golf) |