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Question:

Do they use glass or plastic for windows on aeroplanes?

Do they use glass or plastic for windows on aeroplanes?

Answer:

I believe it's dense plastic, similar to bulletproof glass. Glass shatters, and that's not something you want on a plane. So typically dense plastics are the way to go. They are strong and shatter resistant.
It varies widely. Most airliners have acrylic windows and consist of multiple (usually three) layers. Acrylic is used for its strength - it's not likely to break, and it can withstand both high and low temperatures. The opaque acrylic is sometimes referred to as plexiglass. Areas requiring more strength, particularly cockpits which are in danger of hail, bird strikes and other dangers are usually multiple layers of acrylic and glass, with heating elements inbetween to keep the glass clear and prevent the formation of ice from obscuring the view. They are also sprayed with chemicals which helps the rain disperse on them and prevent the formation of fog and condensation.

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