Polycarbonate had earned the tag because the most suitable material for use within the automotive industry. However, recently, Polymethyl Methacrylate, the PMMA polymer or commonly known acrylic plastic, has efficiently risen on the growing demands from the automotive industry in replacing polycarbonate for important use 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 one of those fields that offer the greatest growth potential for PMMA.
Related key options that come with acrylic plastic which render it suitable for the entire process of automotive glazing are discussed below.
Transportable
To generate a comparison on the erogenous level, PMMA is half the body weight plus more transparent than glass, thereby providing magnificent visibility even just in the situation of fluctuating and unstable temperatures. As a result of its molecular structure, thermoformed acrylic sheet have become used almost mainly for car window glazing where each of the necessary requirements for light-weight materials that are safe, very easy to process and perform in most weathers are met.
On top of Scratch Resistance
Another critical requirement for glazing is scratch resistance. Standard PMMA already contains the highest surface hardness coming from all thermoplastics even though uncoated. However, for automotive glazing, you’ll find stringent conditions being fulfilled to satisfy the ideal condition of scratch resistance. The usage of a coating thus remains mandatory. Considering that PMMA is intrinsically UV along with weathering-resistant, a single-step coating works well. As opposed, thermoplastics which have low capacity weathering need a two-step coating system. This ends in relatively high costs for coating.
New design possibilities
PMMA glazing is Forty to fifty percent lighter than conventional glass, which piques the interest of automobile manufacturers. Together with the advantages being immediately obvious, PMMA is currently viewed as the correct fit for automotive glazing. Weight savings apart, the transparency of acrylic plastic along with its quite high weathering resistance, pleasant acoustic properties, and exceptional form ability allow freedom enabling entirely new design possibilities.
Less anxiety birefringence
PMMA exhibits almost no stress birefringence which serves as a major benefit over other thermoplastics like polycarbonate, which was primarily used for glazing in the past. Weighed against traditional materials like polycarbonate, moulded PMMA, comes with a distinct potential for functional integration – reducing recess depth and assembly costs.
Environment-friendly
The new goal within the automotive industry is to build up clean low fuel consumption vehicles. In the awareness along with the requirement for eco-friendly initiatives in today’s scheme of things, PMMA serves as a perfect alternative to glass within the automotive glazing segment. As vehicle manufacturers push the boundaries of design, also is automotive glazing evolving.
SUMIPEX® PMMA polymer offers characteristics that satisfy the latest challenges within the transportation sector. It’s a monumental challenge for car makers that are looking to sit in recent environmental requirements and so are considering alternatives that reduce greenhouse gas and save fuel. It is the perfect partner in this movement since it tends to make cars lighter.
As being a leading manufacturer of SUMIPEX® PMMA polymer, Sumitomo Chemical is happy to help you out understand its properties and exactly how it suitable to automotive glazing.
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