Polycarbonate had earned the tag as the the best option material to be used within the automotive industry. However, in recent years, Polymethyl Methacrylate, the PMMA polymer or commonly known acrylic plastic, has efficiently risen for the growing demands with the automotive industry in replacing polycarbonate for the most important use within the, namely, automotive glazing.
Long established to be used in many different vehicle applications such as decorative trim, ambient lighting and door entry strips, automotive glazing is one kind of those fields that supply the greatest growth possibility of PMMA.
Related key popular features of acrylic plastic that make it perfect for the operation of automotive glazing are discussed below.
Light weight
To produce a comparison on a standard level, PMMA is half the load plus more transparent than glass, thereby providing crystal clear visibility during the situation of fluctuating and unstable temperatures. Owing to its molecular structure, thermoformed polymethyl methacrylate are used almost just for car window glazing where all the necessary requirements for light-weight materials which can be safe, an easy task to process and perform in all of the weathers are met.
High on Scratch Resistance
Another significant desire for glazing is scratch resistance. Standard PMMA already has got the highest surface hardness coming from all thermoplastics even though uncoated. However, for automotive glazing, there are stringent conditions to become fulfilled to satisfy the best condition of scratch resistance. The effective use of a coating thus remains mandatory. Since PMMA is intrinsically UV in addition to weathering-resistant, a single-step coating is successful. As opposed, thermoplastics which may have low resistance to weathering have to have a two-step coating system. This results in relatively high costs for coating.
New design possibilities
PMMA glazing is 40 to 50 percent lighter than conventional glass, which piques the eye of automobile manufacturers. Together with the advantages being immediately obvious, PMMA is now known as the right fit for automotive glazing. Weight savings apart, the transparency of acrylic plastic along 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 little or no stress birefringence and also this serves as a major benefit over other thermoplastics such as polycarbonate, which has been primarily employed for glazing during the past. In comparison with traditional materials such as polycarbonate, moulded PMMA, supplies a distinct potential for functional integration – reducing recess depth and assembly costs.
Environment-friendly
The brand new goal within the automotive companies are to develop clean low fuel consumption vehicles. Due to the awareness along with the dependence on eco-friendly initiatives with the current economic general scheme of things, PMMA serves as a perfect alternative to glass within the automotive glazing segment. As vehicle manufacturers push the bounds of design, so too is automotive glazing evolving.
SUMIPEX® PMMA polymer offers characteristics that meet the latest challenges within the transportation sector. It’s a monumental challenge for car makers that are looking for to sit in recent environmental requirements and therefore are thinking about alternatives that reduce greenhouse gas and save fuel. Oahu is the perfect partner within this movement given it can make cars lighter.
As being a leading manufacturer of SUMIPEX® PMMA polymer, Sumitomo Chemical is happy to help you out understand its properties and how it best suited to automotive glazing.
To read more about polymethyl methacrylate visit this website: click here