Polycarbonate had earned the tag because most suitable material to be used inside the automotive industry. However, these days, Polymethyl Methacrylate, the PMMA polymer or commonly known acrylic plastic, has efficiently risen towards the growing demands in the automotive industry in replacing polycarbonate for the most important used in the industry, namely, automotive glazing.
Long established to be used in a number of vehicle applications including decorative trim, ambient lighting and door entry strips, automotive glazing is one of those fields that provide the highest growth potential for PMMA.
Related key popular features of acrylic plastic which render it ideal for the whole process of automotive glazing are discussed below.
Light weight
To generate a comparison with a simple level, PMMA is half the body weight plus much more transparent than glass, thereby providing crystal clear visibility even in the truth of fluctuating and unstable temperatures. Because of its molecular structure, thermoformed methyl methacrylate resin are used almost only for car window glazing where each of the necessary requirements for light-weight materials that are safe, easy to process and perform in all weathers are met.
At the top of Scratch Resistance
Another critical desire for glazing is scratch resistance. Standard PMMA already has the highest surface hardness of all thermoplastics even when uncoated. However, for automotive glazing, you will find stringent conditions to become fulfilled in order to meet the ideal condition of scratch resistance. The effective use of a coating is therefore mandatory. Given that PMMA is intrinsically UV in addition to weathering-resistant, a single-step coating is successful. On the other hand, thermoplastics that have low capacity weathering require a two-step coating system. This leads to relatively expense for coating.
New design possibilities
PMMA glazing is Forty to fifty percent lighter than conventional glass, which piques the interest of automobile manufacturers. With the advantages being immediately obvious, PMMA is currently considered the best fit for automotive glazing. Weight savings apart, the transparency of acrylic plastic with its very high weathering resistance, pleasant acoustic properties, and exceptional form ability allow freedom enabling entirely new design possibilities.
Less anxiety birefringence
PMMA exhibits little or no stress birefringence and this operates as a major benefit over other thermoplastics including polycarbonate, which was primarily employed for glazing before. Weighed against traditional materials including polycarbonate, moulded PMMA, comes with a distinct potential for functional integration – reducing recess depth and assembly costs.
Environment-friendly
The new goal inside the automotive industry is to formulate clean low fuel consumption vehicles. Given the awareness and also the need for eco-friendly initiatives in the present scheme of things, PMMA operates as a perfect substitute for glass inside the automotive glazing segment. As vehicle manufacturers push the boundaries of design, so too is automotive glazing evolving.
SUMIPEX® PMMA polymer offers characteristics that match the latest challenges inside the transportation sector. It’s a monumental challenge for auto makers that are looking for to sit in recent environmental requirements and are thinking about alternatives that reduce greenhouse gas and save fuel. It does not take perfect partner in this movement since it tends to make cars lighter.
As being a leading manufacturer of SUMIPEX® PMMA polymer, Sumitomo Chemical is glad to work with you understand its properties and exactly how it suitable to automotive glazing.
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