Polycarbonate had earned the tag as the the best option material for usage from the automotive industry. However, recently, Polymethyl Methacrylate, the PMMA polymer or commonly known acrylic plastic, has efficiently risen to the growing demands with the automotive industry in replacing polycarbonate for important utilization in the, namely, automotive glazing.
Long established for usage in several vehicle applications for example decorative trim, ambient lighting and door entry strips, automotive glazing is one of those fields that supply the best growth potential for PMMA.
Related key top features of acrylic plastic which render it perfect for the whole process of automotive glazing are discussed below.
Light-weight
To generate a comparison on the simple level, PMMA is half the weight and more transparent than glass, thereby providing superior visibility during the case of fluctuating and unstable temperatures. Because of its molecular structure, thermoformed polymethyl methacrylate are actually used almost just for car window glazing where each of the necessary requirements for light-weight materials which can be safe, simple to process and perform in all weathers are met.
At the top of Scratch Resistance
Another important dependence on glazing is scratch resistance. Standard PMMA already has the highest surface hardness of thermoplastics even if uncoated. However, for automotive glazing, you will find stringent conditions to be fulfilled to satisfy the best condition of scratch resistance. The use of a coating thus remains mandatory. Given that PMMA is intrinsically UV along with weathering-resistant, a single-step coating is successful. In comparison, thermoplastics which may have low capacity weathering need a two-step coating system. This leads to relatively high costs for coating.
New design possibilities
PMMA glazing is 40 to 50 percent lighter than conventional glass, which piques the interest of automobile manufacturers. With all the advantages being immediately obvious, PMMA is considered the best fit for automotive glazing. Weight savings apart, the transparency of acrylic plastic as well as its extremely high weathering resistance, pleasant acoustic properties, and exceptional form ability allow freedom enabling entirely new design possibilities.
Less stress birefringence
PMMA exhibits little or no stress birefringence this also works as a major benefit over other thermoplastics for example polycarbonate, that was primarily useful for glazing in the past. In contrast to traditional materials for example polycarbonate, moulded PMMA, provides a distinct possibility of functional integration – reducing recess depth and assembly costs.
Environment-friendly
The brand new goal from the automotive industry is to produce clean low fuel consumption vehicles. Due to the awareness as well as the dependence on eco-friendly initiatives in today’s general scheme of things, PMMA works as a perfect replacement for glass from the automotive glazing segment. As vehicle manufacturers push the bounds of design, also is automotive glazing evolving.
SUMIPEX® PMMA polymer offers characteristics that match the latest challenges from the transportation sector. It’s a monumental challenge for car makers that want to sit in recent environmental requirements and so are thinking about alternatives that reduce greenhouse gas and save fuel. It’s the perfect partner within this movement since it makes cars lighter.
As a leading manufacturer of SUMIPEX® PMMA polymer, Sumitomo Chemical is happy to work with you to understand its properties and exactly how it suitable to automotive glazing.
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