Polycarbonate had earned the tag because the the best option material to be used in the automotive industry. However, recently, Polymethyl Methacrylate, the PMMA polymer or commonly known acrylic plastic, has efficiently risen towards the growing demands with the automotive industry in replacing polycarbonate for the best important utilization in the, namely, automotive glazing.
Long established to be used in a number of vehicle applications like decorative trim, ambient lighting and door entry strips, automotive glazing is one kind of those fields that supply the highest growth possibility of PMMA.
Related key popular features of acrylic plastic that make it suitable for the entire process of automotive glazing are discussed below.
Lightweight
To produce a comparison on the simple level, PMMA is half the body weight plus more transparent than glass, thereby providing superior visibility even in the situation of fluctuating and unstable temperatures. Owing to its molecular structure, thermoformed polymer resin are used almost just for car window glazing where every one of the necessary requirements for light-weight materials which are safe, an easy task to process and perform in most weathers are met.
High on Scratch Resistance
Another critical dependence on glazing is scratch resistance. Standard PMMA already contains the highest surface hardness coming from all thermoplastics even when uncoated. However, for automotive glazing, you’ll find stringent conditions to get fulfilled to meet the perfect state of scratch resistance. The effective use of a coating thus remains mandatory. Given that PMMA is intrinsically UV as well as weathering-resistant, a single-step coating works well. In contrast, thermoplastics which may 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 a person’s eye of automobile manufacturers. With all the advantages being immediately obvious, PMMA has become seen as the proper fit for automotive glazing. Weight savings apart, the transparency of acrylic plastic in addition to its quite 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 and also this works as a major benefit over other thermoplastics like polycarbonate, which has been primarily used for glazing during the past. In contrast to traditional materials like polycarbonate, moulded PMMA, supplies a distinct possibility of functional integration – reducing recess depth and assembly costs.
Environment-friendly
The modern goal in the automotive marketplace is to produce clean low fuel consumption vehicles. Given the awareness and the dependence on eco-friendly initiatives in today’s general scheme of things, PMMA works as a perfect substitute for glass in 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 in 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 does not take perfect partner in this movement as it helps make cars lighter.
Like a leading manufacturer of SUMIPEX® PMMA polymer, Sumitomo Chemical is glad to help you in understanding its properties and just how it most suitable to automotive glazing.
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