Polycarbonate had earned the tag as the the best option material for use in the automotive industry. However, in recent years, Polymethyl Methacrylate, the PMMA polymer or commonly known acrylic plastic, has efficiently risen towards the growing demands from the automotive industry in replacing polycarbonate which are more important use within the, namely, automotive glazing.
Long established for use in several vehicle applications for example decorative trim, ambient lighting and door entry strips, automotive glazing is one kind of those fields that offer the greatest growth risk of PMMA.
Related key features of acrylic plastic which render it suitable for the process of automotive glazing are discussed below.
Lightweight
To make a comparison over a standard level, PMMA is half the load plus much more transparent than glass, thereby providing magnificent visibility during true of fluctuating and unstable temperatures. Because of its molecular structure, thermoformed acrylic glass are now used almost just for car window glazing where every one of the necessary requirements for light-weight materials which might be safe, an easy task to process and perform in all of the weathers are met.
At the top of Scratch Resistance
Another critical desire for glazing is scratch resistance. Standard PMMA already gets the highest surface hardness coming from all thermoplastics regardless if uncoated. However, for automotive glazing, you will find stringent conditions to be fulfilled to meet the perfect state of scratch resistance. The application of a coating is thus mandatory. Due to the fact PMMA is intrinsically UV and also weathering-resistant, a single-step coating is useful. On the other hand, thermoplastics which have low capacity weathering have to have 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 a person’s eye of automobile manufacturers. Using the advantages being immediately obvious, PMMA is viewed as the proper fit for automotive glazing. Weight savings apart, the transparency of acrylic plastic as well as its high weathering resistance, pleasant acoustic properties, and exceptional form ability allow freedom enabling entirely new design possibilities.
Less negative feelings birefringence
PMMA exhibits almost no stress birefringence which works as a major benefit over other thermoplastics for example polycarbonate, that was primarily used for glazing previously. Weighed against traditional materials for example polycarbonate, moulded PMMA, provides a distinct potential for functional integration – reducing recess depth and assembly costs.
Environment-friendly
The modern goal in the automotive industry is to produce clean low fuel consumption vehicles. Due to the awareness and also the requirement of eco-friendly initiatives with the current economic scheme of things, PMMA works as a perfect substitute for glass in the automotive glazing segment. As vehicle manufacturers push the boundaries of design, also is automotive glazing evolving.
SUMIPEX® PMMA polymer offers characteristics that meet the latest challenges in the transportation sector. It’s a monumental challenge for car makers that are looking for to adjust to recent environmental requirements and they are considering alternatives that reduce greenhouse gas and save fuel. It is the perfect partner in this movement given it tends to make cars lighter.
As being a leading manufacturer of SUMIPEX® PMMA polymer, Sumitomo Chemical is glad to work with you to understand its properties and the way it most suitable to automotive glazing.
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