Polycarbonate had earned the tag since the the most suitable material for usage within 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 in a, namely, automotive glazing.
Long established for usage in several vehicle applications like decorative trim, ambient lighting and door entry strips, automotive glazing is among those fields that offer the highest growth prospect of PMMA.
Related key options that come with acrylic plastic that make it well suited for the process of automotive glazing are discussed below.
Light-weight
To produce a comparison on a erogenous level, PMMA is half the weight and more transparent than glass, thereby providing really clear visibility even during true of fluctuating and unstable temperatures. Because of its molecular structure, thermoformed acrylic glass are used almost exclusively for car window glazing where all the necessary requirements for light-weight materials which can be safe, easy to process and perform in most weathers are met.
On top of Scratch Resistance
Another critical dependence on glazing is scratch resistance. Standard PMMA already has got the highest surface hardness of thermoplastics even if uncoated. However, for automotive glazing, there are stringent conditions to become fulfilled in order to meet the optimal condition of scratch resistance. The application of a coating is thus mandatory. Considering that PMMA is intrinsically UV as well as weathering-resistant, a single-step coating is successful. In contrast, thermoplastics who have low effectiveness against weathering demand a two-step coating system. This ends in relatively expense for coating.
New design possibilities
PMMA glazing is 40 to 50 percent lighter than conventional glass, which piques a person’s eye of automobile manufacturers. With the advantages being immediately obvious, PMMA has become viewed as the best 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 almost no stress birefringence which operates as a major benefit over other thermoplastics like polycarbonate, that was primarily used by glazing before. In contrast to traditional materials like polycarbonate, moulded PMMA, provides a distinct potential for functional integration – reducing recess depth and assembly costs.
Environment-friendly
The newest goal within the automotive companies are to develop clean low fuel consumption vehicles. Due to the awareness and the requirement of eco-friendly initiatives in today’s scheme of things, PMMA operates as a perfect option to glass within the automotive glazing segment. As vehicle manufacturers push the boundaries of design, so too is automotive glazing evolving.
SUMIPEX® PMMA polymer offers characteristics that satisfy the latest challenges within the transportation sector. It’s a monumental challenge for auto makers looking to sit in recent environmental requirements and are contemplating alternatives that reduce greenhouse gas and save fuel. It is the perfect partner in this movement because it helps make cars lighter.
Being a leading manufacturer of SUMIPEX® PMMA polymer, Sumitomo Chemical is satisfied to work with you understand its properties and just how it suitable to automotive glazing.
More details about acrylic glass just go to our new web site: this