Polycarbonate had earned the tag since the the best option material to use from the automotive industry. However, recently, Polymethyl Methacrylate, the PMMA polymer or commonly known acrylic plastic, has efficiently risen to the growing demands of the automotive industry in replacing polycarbonate for important use in the, namely, automotive glazing.
Long established to use in several vehicle applications for example decorative trim, ambient lighting and door entry strips, automotive glazing is one of those fields that supply the highest growth possibility of PMMA.
Related key popular features of acrylic plastic which make it perfect for the entire process of automotive glazing are discussed below.
Light weight
To produce a comparison on a simple level, PMMA is half the body weight plus much more transparent than glass, thereby providing magnificent visibility during the truth of fluctuating and unstable temperatures. Because of its molecular structure, thermoformed acrylic sheet have become used almost mainly for car window glazing where all of the necessary requirements for light-weight materials which can be safe, simple to process and perform in most weathers are met.
On top of Scratch Resistance
Another significant requirement for glazing is scratch resistance. Standard PMMA already gets the highest surface hardness of all thermoplastics even if uncoated. However, for automotive glazing, you’ll find stringent conditions to be fulfilled in order to meet the ideal state of scratch resistance. The application of a coating thus remains mandatory. Due to the fact PMMA is intrinsically UV as well as weathering-resistant, a single-step coating is useful. In comparison, thermoplastics which may have low potential to deal with weathering require a two-step coating system. This ends in relatively high costs 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 now considered the right fit for automotive glazing. Weight savings apart, the transparency of acrylic plastic in addition to its 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 this also works as a major benefit over other thermoplastics for example polycarbonate, that has been primarily employed for glazing previously. In comparison with traditional materials for example polycarbonate, moulded PMMA, supplies a distinct chance for functional integration – reducing recess depth and assembly costs.
Environment-friendly
The modern goal from the automotive marketplace is to formulate clean low fuel consumption vehicles. In the awareness and also the requirement for eco-friendly initiatives with the current economic general scheme of things, PMMA works as a perfect substitute for glass from the automotive glazing segment. As vehicle manufacturers push the bounds of design, so too is automotive glazing evolving.
SUMIPEX® PMMA polymer offers characteristics that fulfill the latest challenges from the transportation sector. It’s a monumental challenge for car makers that are looking to sit in recent environmental requirements and so are contemplating alternatives that reduce greenhouse gas and save fuel. It is the perfect partner in this movement given it tends to make cars lighter.
Being a leading manufacturer of SUMIPEX® PMMA polymer, Sumitomo Chemical is happy to work with you understand its properties and the way it ideal to automotive glazing.
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