Polycarbonate had earned the tag because the best option material for use in the automotive industry. However, in recent times, Polymethyl Methacrylate, the PMMA polymer or commonly known acrylic plastic, has efficiently risen for the growing demands with the automotive industry in replacing polycarbonate which are more important use within a, namely, automotive glazing.
Long established for use in a number of vehicle applications including decorative trim, ambient lighting and door entry strips, automotive glazing is among those fields that supply the greatest growth risk of PMMA.
Related key options that come with acrylic plastic which render it well suited for the entire process of automotive glazing are discussed below.
Light-weight
To generate a comparison over a simple level, PMMA is half the extra weight and much more transparent than glass, thereby providing magnificent visibility even in true of fluctuating and unstable temperatures. As a result of its molecular structure, thermoformed polymer resin are used almost exclusively for car window glazing where all the necessary requirements for light-weight materials which are safe, an easy task to process and perform in all weathers are met.
On top of Scratch Resistance
Another significant 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 can find stringent conditions to become fulfilled to meet the perfect state of scratch resistance. The effective use of a coating thus remains mandatory. Considering that PMMA is intrinsically UV as well as weathering-resistant, a single-step coating works well. In comparison, thermoplastics who have low potential to deal with weathering need a two-step coating system. This leads to relatively high costs 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 known as the proper fit for automotive glazing. Weight savings apart, the transparency of acrylic plastic with its high weathering resistance, pleasant acoustic properties, and exceptional form ability allow freedom enabling entirely new design possibilities.
Less negative feelings birefringence
PMMA exhibits hardly any stress birefringence which serves as a major benefit over other thermoplastics including polycarbonate, which was primarily used for glazing in the past. Compared with traditional materials including polycarbonate, moulded PMMA, provides a distinct chance of functional integration – reducing recess depth and assembly costs.
Environment-friendly
The new goal in the automotive market is to build up clean low fuel consumption vehicles. Because of the awareness and the need for eco-friendly initiatives in the current scheme of things, PMMA serves as a perfect substitute for glass in the automotive glazing segment. As vehicle manufacturers push the bounds of design, also is automotive glazing evolving.
SUMIPEX® PMMA polymer offers characteristics that satisfy the latest challenges in the transportation sector. It’s a monumental challenge for auto makers that want to sit in recent environmental requirements and so are thinking of alternatives that reduce greenhouse gas and save fuel. It is the perfect partner in this movement as it makes cars lighter.
As being a leading manufacturer of SUMIPEX® PMMA polymer, Sumitomo Chemical is glad to work with you to understand its properties and exactly how it ideal to automotive glazing.
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