Polycarbonate had earned the tag because the the 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 with the automotive industry in replacing polycarbonate which are more important use within the, namely, automotive glazing.
Long established to be used in a number of vehicle applications for example decorative trim, ambient lighting and door entry strips, automotive glazing is one of those fields that provide the greatest growth prospect of PMMA.
Related key features of acrylic plastic making it ideal for the entire process of automotive glazing are discussed below.
Lightweight
To generate a comparison on a erogenous level, PMMA is half the body weight plus more transparent than glass, thereby providing magnificent visibility even in true of fluctuating and unstable temperatures. Because of its molecular structure, thermoformed polymer resin are actually used almost exclusively for car window glazing where all the necessary requirements for light-weight materials that are safe, an easy task to process and perform in every weathers are met.
At the top of Scratch Resistance
Another important requirement of glazing is scratch resistance. Standard PMMA already gets the highest surface hardness of most thermoplastics even if uncoated. However, for automotive glazing, you will find stringent conditions being fulfilled to satisfy the optimal state of scratch resistance. The usage of a coating is thus mandatory. Given that PMMA is intrinsically UV as well as weathering-resistant, a single-step coating is successful. In contrast, thermoplastics which have low resistance to weathering demand a two-step coating system. This leads to relatively expensive for coating.
New design possibilities
PMMA glazing is Forty to fifty percent lighter than conventional glass, which piques the interest of automobile manufacturers. With all the advantages being immediately obvious, PMMA is seen as the proper fit for automotive glazing. Weight savings apart, the transparency of acrylic plastic in addition to its very high weathering resistance, pleasant acoustic properties, and exceptional form ability allow freedom enabling entirely new design possibilities.
Less stress birefringence
PMMA exhibits hardly any stress birefringence and this works as a major benefit over other thermoplastics for example polycarbonate, which has been primarily used for glazing in the past. In comparison with traditional materials for example polycarbonate, moulded PMMA, provides a distinct chance for functional integration – reducing recess depth and assembly costs.
Environment-friendly
The brand new goal inside the automotive industry is to develop clean low fuel consumption vehicles. In the awareness along with the requirement of eco-friendly initiatives in the present scheme of things, PMMA works as a perfect substitute for glass inside 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 inside the transportation sector. It’s a monumental challenge for auto makers that are looking for to adjust to recent environmental requirements and so are considering alternatives that reduce greenhouse gas and save fuel. It is the perfect partner in this movement as it tends to make cars lighter.
As being a leading manufacturer of SUMIPEX® PMMA polymer, Sumitomo Chemical is glad to assist you understand its properties and exactly how it most suitable to automotive glazing.
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