Polycarbonate had earned the tag since the the most suitable material for use within the automotive industry. However, in recent times, Polymethyl Methacrylate, the PMMA polymer or commonly known acrylic plastic, has efficiently risen towards the growing demands of the automotive industry in replacing polycarbonate for important utilization in the, namely, automotive glazing.
Long established for use in many different vehicle applications like decorative trim, ambient lighting and door entry strips, automotive glazing is just one of those fields that provide the best growth risk of PMMA.
Related key options that come with acrylic plastic making it perfect for the process of automotive glazing are discussed below.
Light weight
To generate a comparison on the erogenous level, PMMA is half the body weight plus much more transparent than glass, thereby providing superior visibility even during true of fluctuating and unstable temperatures. As a result of its molecular structure, thermoformed acrylic glass are used almost mainly for car window glazing where all of the necessary requirements for light-weight materials that are safe, very easy to process and perform in all of the weathers are met.
On top of Scratch Resistance
Another essential dependence on glazing is scratch resistance. Standard PMMA already has got the highest surface hardness of all thermoplastics even if uncoated. However, for automotive glazing, you will find stringent conditions to be fulfilled to satisfy the optimal state of scratch resistance. The usage of a coating is thus mandatory. Due to the fact PMMA is intrinsically UV along with weathering-resistant, a single-step coating is successful. In comparison, thermoplastics who have low capacity weathering demand a two-step coating system. This leads to relatively expense for coating.
New design possibilities
PMMA glazing is Forty to fifty percent lighter than conventional glass, which piques a persons vision of automobile manufacturers. Together 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 as well as its extremely 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 this also functions as a major benefit over other thermoplastics like polycarbonate, which has been primarily useful for glazing before. Weighed against traditional materials like polycarbonate, moulded PMMA, supplies a distinct chance for functional integration – reducing recess depth and assembly costs.
Environment-friendly
The brand new goal within the automotive marketplace is to produce clean low fuel consumption vehicles. Because of the awareness as well as the need for eco-friendly initiatives in the current scheme of things, PMMA functions as a perfect replacement for 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 match the latest challenges within the transportation sector. It’s a monumental challenge for car makers that want to adjust to recent environmental requirements and are contemplating alternatives that reduce greenhouse gas and save fuel. Oahu is the perfect partner within this movement as it helps make cars lighter.
As a leading manufacturer of SUMIPEX® PMMA polymer, Sumitomo Chemical is happy to help you understand its properties and exactly how it most suitable to automotive glazing.
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