Polycarbonate had earned the tag since the the best option material for usage inside the automotive industry. However, these days, Polymethyl Methacrylate, the PMMA polymer or commonly known acrylic plastic, has efficiently risen for the growing demands from the automotive industry in replacing polycarbonate for the best important utilization in the, namely, automotive glazing.
Long established for usage in a variety of vehicle applications like decorative trim, ambient lighting and door entry strips, automotive glazing is one of those fields offering the greatest growth prospect of PMMA.
Related key popular features of acrylic plastic which make it well suited for the whole process of automotive glazing are discussed below.
Lightweight
To generate a comparison over a simple level, PMMA is half the weight and more transparent than glass, thereby providing superior visibility even during the truth of fluctuating and unstable temperatures. Due to its molecular structure, thermoformed thermoplastic resin are actually used almost only for car window glazing where all of 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 important requirement of glazing is scratch resistance. Standard PMMA already has got the highest surface hardness coming from all thermoplastics regardless if uncoated. However, for automotive glazing, you’ll find stringent conditions to be fulfilled to satisfy the optimal state of scratch resistance. The use of a coating is thus mandatory. Given that PMMA is intrinsically UV as well as weathering-resistant, a single-step coating works well. In contrast, thermoplastics which may have low resistance to weathering have to have a two-step coating system. This brings about relatively expense for coating.
New design possibilities
PMMA glazing is 40 to 50 percent lighter than conventional glass, which piques a persons vision of automobile manufacturers. With the advantages being immediately obvious, PMMA is currently viewed as the proper 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 stress birefringence
PMMA exhibits very little stress birefringence this also operates as a major benefit over other thermoplastics like polycarbonate, which has been primarily useful for glazing in the past. Weighed against traditional materials like polycarbonate, moulded PMMA, offers a distinct chance for functional integration – reducing recess depth and assembly costs.
Environment-friendly
The modern goal inside the automotive industry is to formulate clean low fuel consumption vehicles. Due to the awareness along with the requirement for eco-friendly initiatives in today’s general scheme of things, PMMA operates as a perfect option to glass inside the automotive glazing segment. As vehicle manufacturers push the boundaries of design, also is automotive glazing evolving.
SUMIPEX® PMMA polymer offers characteristics that fulfill the latest challenges inside the transportation sector. It’s a monumental challenge for car makers looking to adjust to recent environmental requirements and therefore are thinking about alternatives that reduce greenhouse gas and save fuel. It’s the perfect partner within this movement because it makes cars lighter.
As a leading manufacturer of SUMIPEX® PMMA polymer, Sumitomo Chemical is pleased to assist you to understand its properties and exactly how it ideal to automotive glazing.
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