Polycarbonate had earned the tag since the the most suitable material to be used inside the automotive industry. However, in recent years, Polymethyl Methacrylate, the PMMA polymer or commonly known acrylic plastic, has efficiently risen for the growing demands in the automotive industry in replacing polycarbonate for the best important used in the market, namely, automotive glazing.
Long established to be used in a variety of vehicle applications such as decorative trim, ambient lighting and door entry strips, automotive glazing is just one of those fields that supply the highest growth risk of PMMA.
Related key options that come with acrylic plastic that make 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 extra weight plus much more transparent than glass, thereby providing crystal clear visibility even during true of fluctuating and unstable temperatures. Owing to its molecular structure, thermoformed polymethyl methacrylate have become used almost only for car window glazing where each of the necessary requirements for light-weight materials which might be safe, very easy to process and perform in all of the weathers are met.
On top of Scratch Resistance
Another critical desire for glazing is scratch resistance. Standard PMMA already has the highest surface hardness of most thermoplastics even though uncoated. However, for automotive glazing, there are stringent conditions to get fulfilled to meet the optimal state of scratch resistance. The application of a coating is therefore mandatory. Given that PMMA is intrinsically UV along with weathering-resistant, a single-step coating works well. On the other hand, thermoplastics who have low resistance to weathering require a two-step coating system. This ends in relatively expensive for coating.
New design possibilities
PMMA glazing is Forty to fifty percent lighter than conventional glass, which piques a persons vision of automobile manufacturers. With all the advantages being immediately obvious, PMMA is currently seen as the proper fit for automotive glazing. Weight savings apart, the transparency of acrylic plastic along with its quite high weathering resistance, pleasant acoustic properties, and exceptional form ability allow freedom enabling entirely new design possibilities.
Less negative feelings birefringence
PMMA exhibits very little stress birefringence this also functions as a major benefit over other thermoplastics such as polycarbonate, which was primarily used by glazing during the past. Compared with traditional materials such as polycarbonate, moulded PMMA, offers a distinct chance for functional integration – reducing recess depth and assembly costs.
Environment-friendly
The brand new goal inside the automotive industry is to formulate clean low fuel consumption vehicles. Given the awareness as well as the requirement of eco-friendly initiatives in the current scheme of things, PMMA functions as a perfect replacement for glass inside the automotive glazing segment. As vehicle manufacturers push the bounds of design, so too is automotive glazing evolving.
SUMIPEX® PMMA polymer offers characteristics that satisfy 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 of alternatives that reduce greenhouse gas and save fuel. It does not take perfect partner on this movement because it makes cars lighter.
Being a leading manufacturer of SUMIPEX® PMMA polymer, Sumitomo Chemical is satisfied to help you in understanding its properties and how it ideal to automotive glazing.
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