Polycarbonate had earned the tag since the the most appropriate material for use from the automotive industry. However, these days, Polymethyl Methacrylate, the PMMA polymer or commonly known acrylic plastic, has efficiently risen on the growing demands in the automotive industry in replacing polycarbonate for the most important used in a, namely, automotive glazing.
Long established for use in several vehicle applications such as 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 top features of acrylic plastic that make it ideal for the whole process of automotive glazing are discussed below.
Light weight
To generate a comparison over a standard level, PMMA is half the extra weight plus more transparent than glass, thereby providing crystal clear visibility even just in true of fluctuating and unstable temperatures. Because of its molecular structure, thermoformed methyl methacrylate resin are actually used almost only for car window glazing where every one of the necessary requirements for light-weight materials that are safe, easy to process and perform in every weathers are met.
On top of Scratch Resistance
Another important requirement of glazing is scratch resistance. Standard PMMA already contains the highest surface hardness coming from all thermoplastics regardless if uncoated. However, for automotive glazing, you can find stringent conditions to be fulfilled to satisfy the best condition of scratch resistance. The usage of a coating is thus mandatory. Given that PMMA is intrinsically UV in addition to weathering-resistant, a single-step coating is successful. On the other hand, thermoplastics which may have low capacity weathering need a two-step coating system. This ends in relatively high costs for coating.
New design possibilities
PMMA glazing is Forty to fifty percent lighter than conventional glass, which piques a person’s eye of automobile manufacturers. With all the advantages being immediately obvious, PMMA is now viewed as the correct 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 negative feelings birefringence
PMMA exhibits little or no stress birefringence this also serves as a major benefit over other thermoplastics such as polycarbonate, which was primarily used for glazing previously. In contrast to traditional materials such as polycarbonate, moulded PMMA, comes with a distinct chance for functional integration – reducing recess depth and assembly costs.
Environment-friendly
The newest goal from the automotive marketplace is to build up clean low fuel consumption vehicles. Because of the awareness as well as the need for eco-friendly initiatives in the present general scheme of things, PMMA serves as a perfect substitute for glass from the automotive glazing segment. As vehicle manufacturers push the boundaries of design, so too is automotive glazing evolving.
SUMIPEX® PMMA polymer offers characteristics that fulfill the latest challenges from the transportation sector. It’s a monumental challenge for auto makers that are looking for to sit in recent environmental requirements and so are thinking about alternatives that reduce greenhouse gas and save fuel. Oahu is the perfect partner in this movement given it tends to make cars lighter.
As being a leading manufacturer of SUMIPEX® PMMA polymer, Sumitomo Chemical is pleased to assist you understand its properties and how it best suited to automotive glazing.
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