Polycarbonate had earned the tag as the most suitable material for usage in the automotive industry. However, in recent years, Polymethyl Methacrylate, the PMMA polymer or commonly known acrylic plastic, has efficiently risen for the growing demands in the automotive industry in replacing polycarbonate for important use in the, namely, automotive glazing.
Long established for usage in several vehicle applications such as decorative trim, ambient lighting and door entry strips, automotive glazing is one of those fields offering the best growth possibility of PMMA.
Related key top features of acrylic plastic making it suitable for the operation of automotive glazing are discussed below.
Light-weight
To generate a comparison over a erogenous level, PMMA is half the load and more transparent than glass, thereby providing crystal clear visibility even in the truth of fluctuating and unstable temperatures. Because of its molecular structure, thermoformed Acrylic Plastic are actually used almost only for car window glazing where all the necessary requirements for light-weight materials that are safe, an easy task to process and perform in all weathers are met.
High on Scratch Resistance
Another critical requirement of glazing is scratch resistance. Standard PMMA already has got the highest surface hardness of all thermoplastics regardless if uncoated. However, for automotive glazing, you will find stringent conditions to become fulfilled to satisfy the perfect state of scratch resistance. The effective use of a coating is therefore mandatory. Given that PMMA is intrinsically UV in addition to weathering-resistant, a single-step coating works well. In comparison, thermoplastics which have low potential to deal with weathering need 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 the eye of automobile manufacturers. With all the advantages being immediately obvious, PMMA is seen as 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 anxiety birefringence
PMMA exhibits very little stress birefringence this also works as a major benefit over other thermoplastics such as polycarbonate, which was primarily used for glazing before. In contrast to traditional materials such as polycarbonate, moulded PMMA, supplies a distinct chance for functional integration – reducing recess depth and assembly costs.
Environment-friendly
The brand new goal in the automotive companies are to produce clean low fuel consumption vehicles. Due to the awareness as well as the requirement of eco-friendly initiatives in the present general scheme of things, PMMA works as a perfect option to glass in the automotive glazing segment. As vehicle manufacturers push the boundaries of design, so too is automotive glazing evolving.
SUMIPEX® PMMA polymer offers characteristics that fulfill the latest challenges in the transportation sector. It’s a monumental challenge for auto makers that want to sit in recent environmental requirements and so are thinking about alternatives that reduce greenhouse gas and save fuel. It does not take perfect partner with this movement since it can make cars lighter.
As a leading manufacturer of SUMIPEX® PMMA polymer, Sumitomo Chemical is pleased to assist you in understanding its properties and just how it suitable to automotive glazing.
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