Polycarbonate had earned the tag since the the most appropriate material to 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 of the automotive industry in replacing polycarbonate which are more important use within the industry, namely, automotive glazing.
Long established to use in a variety of vehicle applications for example decorative trim, ambient lighting and door entry strips, automotive glazing is among those fields that supply the best growth possibility of PMMA.
Related key top features of acrylic plastic which render it suitable for the process of automotive glazing are discussed below.
Light-weight
To create a comparison on the erogenous level, PMMA is half the load plus much more transparent than glass, thereby providing crystal clear visibility even just in the truth of fluctuating and unstable temperatures. Because of its molecular structure, thermoformed polymer resin are now used almost only for car window glazing where every one of the necessary requirements for light-weight materials that are safe, very 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 has the highest surface hardness coming from all thermoplastics regardless if uncoated. However, for automotive glazing, you can find stringent conditions to be fulfilled to meet the ideal state of scratch resistance. The effective use of a coating thus remains mandatory. Given that PMMA is intrinsically UV along with weathering-resistant, a single-step coating is useful. As opposed, thermoplastics which have low resistance to weathering need 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 the interest of automobile manufacturers. With all the advantages being immediately obvious, PMMA is currently considered the best fit for automotive glazing. Weight savings apart, the transparency of acrylic plastic as well as its high weathering resistance, pleasant acoustic properties, and exceptional form ability allow freedom enabling entirely new design possibilities.
Less stress birefringence
PMMA exhibits hardly any stress birefringence which operates as a major benefit over other thermoplastics for example polycarbonate, which was primarily used by glazing during the past. In contrast to traditional materials for example polycarbonate, moulded PMMA, supplies a distinct potential for functional integration – reducing recess depth and assembly costs.
Environment-friendly
The new goal in the automotive industry is to formulate clean low fuel consumption vehicles. In the awareness along with the need for eco-friendly initiatives with the current economic general scheme of things, PMMA operates as a perfect option to 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 car makers looking to sit in recent environmental requirements and are thinking about alternatives that reduce greenhouse gas and save fuel. It is the perfect partner on this movement because it can make cars lighter.
Like a leading manufacturer of SUMIPEX® PMMA polymer, Sumitomo Chemical is happy to work with you understand its properties and how it best suited to automotive glazing.
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