Polycarbonate had earned the tag since the the best option material to be used from the automotive industry. However, in recent years, Polymethyl Methacrylate, the PMMA polymer or commonly known acrylic plastic, has efficiently risen to the growing demands in the automotive industry in replacing polycarbonate for the most important used in the market, namely, automotive glazing.
Long established to be used in several vehicle applications including decorative trim, ambient lighting and door entry strips, automotive glazing is among those fields that supply the very best growth risk of PMMA.
Related key features of acrylic plastic which make it suitable for the entire process of automotive glazing are discussed below.
Transportable
To make a comparison on the standard level, PMMA is half the weight plus more transparent than glass, thereby providing magnificent visibility even in the truth of fluctuating and unstable temperatures. As a result of its molecular structure, thermoformed polymethyl methacrylate are used almost only for car window glazing where all of the necessary requirements for light-weight materials which might be safe, simple to process and perform in all of the weathers are met.
On top of Scratch Resistance
Another essential requirement of glazing is scratch resistance. Standard PMMA already has got the highest surface hardness of most thermoplastics even though uncoated. However, for automotive glazing, you will find stringent conditions to become fulfilled to meet the optimal state of scratch resistance. The effective use of a coating is therefore mandatory. Since PMMA is intrinsically UV and also weathering-resistant, a single-step coating is effective. On the other hand, thermoplastics who have low resistance to weathering need a two-step coating system. This brings about 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. With the advantages being immediately obvious, PMMA is now viewed as the best 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 anxiety birefringence
PMMA exhibits very little stress birefringence which serves as a major benefit over other thermoplastics including polycarbonate, which has been primarily used by glazing in the past. In contrast to traditional materials including polycarbonate, moulded PMMA, provides a distinct potential for functional integration – reducing recess depth and assembly costs.
Environment-friendly
The new goal from the automotive companies are to build up clean low fuel consumption vehicles. Given the awareness along with the need for eco-friendly initiatives in today’s general scheme of things, PMMA serves 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 auto makers that want to adjust to recent environmental requirements and therefore are contemplating alternatives that reduce greenhouse gas and save fuel. It’s the perfect partner within this movement since it tends to make cars lighter.
As being a leading manufacturer of SUMIPEX® PMMA polymer, Sumitomo Chemical is pleased to work with you in understanding its properties and how it best suited to automotive glazing.
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