Why are car windows & windshields glass and not a kind of plastic?
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Glass is significantly harder than plastics, resisting scratches (even the strongest plastics aren’t hard enough), can be tempered, increasing safety when broken (tiny dull beads vs. sharp slicey pieces), is chemically inert in all normal circumstances and won’t melt before the rest of the car.
While polycarbonate is tougher (can survive a stronger impact), tempered and laminated glass is strong enough for the job, while providing the above benefits. Even the best, most chemically and UV resistant plastics will discolour and weaken if kept in the elements and sun for decades, glass won’t.
It’s also cheap to make, like plastics, so no downside there.
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