Polycarbonate had earned the tag as the most suitable material for usage in the automotive industry. However, these days, Polymethyl Methacrylate, the PMMA polymer or commonly known acrylic plastic, has efficiently risen towards the growing demands in the automotive industry in replacing polycarbonate for important used in a, namely, automotive glazing.
Long established for usage in a variety of vehicle applications like decorative trim, ambient lighting and door entry strips, automotive glazing is one of those fields that provide the highest growth potential for PMMA.
Related key top features of acrylic plastic which render it suitable for the operation of automotive glazing are discussed below.
Lightweight
To make a comparison with a erogenous level, PMMA is half the body weight plus more transparent than glass, thereby providing magnificent visibility during the situation of fluctuating and unstable temperatures. Due to its molecular structure, thermoformed thermoplastic resin have become used almost exclusively for car window glazing where all of the necessary requirements for light-weight materials which are safe, an easy task to process and perform in most weathers are met.
On top of Scratch Resistance
Another important dependence on glazing is scratch resistance. Standard PMMA already contains the highest surface hardness of thermoplastics even though uncoated. However, for automotive glazing, you’ll find stringent conditions to become fulfilled to meet the ideal condition of scratch resistance. The application of a coating thus remains mandatory. Considering that PMMA is intrinsically UV as well as weathering-resistant, a single-step coating is successful. As opposed, thermoplastics that have low effectiveness against weathering require a two-step coating system. This results in relatively expensive for coating.
New design possibilities
PMMA glazing is 40 to 50 percent lighter than conventional glass, which piques a persons vision of automobile manufacturers. With the advantages being immediately obvious, PMMA is now known as the proper fit for automotive glazing. Weight savings apart, the transparency of acrylic plastic along with its extremely high weathering resistance, pleasant acoustic properties, and exceptional form ability allow freedom enabling entirely new design possibilities.
Less negative feelings birefringence
PMMA exhibits little or no stress birefringence and also this works as a major benefit over other thermoplastics like polycarbonate, which was primarily used for glazing in the past. In comparison with traditional materials like polycarbonate, moulded PMMA, comes with a distinct chance of functional integration – reducing recess depth and assembly costs.
Environment-friendly
The new goal in the automotive market is to build up clean low fuel consumption vehicles. In the awareness as well as the requirement for eco-friendly initiatives in the current general scheme of things, PMMA works as a perfect option to 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 satisfy the latest challenges in the transportation sector. It’s a monumental challenge for car makers that are looking to adjust to recent environmental requirements and they are thinking about alternatives that reduce greenhouse gas and save fuel. It does not take perfect partner on this movement because it can make cars lighter.
Like a leading manufacturer of SUMIPEX® PMMA polymer, Sumitomo Chemical is glad to assist you in understanding its properties and how it ideal to automotive glazing.
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