Polycarbonate had earned the tag as the most suitable material to use in the automotive industry. However, in recent years, Polymethyl Methacrylate, the PMMA polymer or commonly known acrylic plastic, has efficiently risen on the growing demands of the automotive industry in replacing polycarbonate for important use in the, namely, automotive glazing.
Long established to use in many different vehicle applications for example decorative trim, ambient lighting and door entry strips, automotive glazing is just one of those fields offering the very best growth risk of PMMA.
Related key popular features of acrylic plastic making it perfect for the operation of automotive glazing are discussed below.
Light weight
To make a comparison on a simple level, PMMA is half the extra weight and more transparent than glass, thereby providing really clear visibility during true of fluctuating and unstable temperatures. Due to its molecular structure, thermoformed pmma plastic have become used almost mainly for car window glazing where all of the necessary requirements for light-weight materials which can be safe, easy to process and perform in most weathers are met.
High on Scratch Resistance
Another essential requirement for glazing is scratch resistance. Standard PMMA already contains the highest surface hardness of all thermoplastics even if uncoated. However, for automotive glazing, there are stringent conditions being fulfilled to satisfy the optimal condition of scratch resistance. The effective use of a coating is therefore mandatory. Due to the fact PMMA is intrinsically UV along with weathering-resistant, a single-step coating works well. In contrast, thermoplastics which may have low capacity weathering demand a two-step coating system. This brings about relatively expense for coating.
New design possibilities
PMMA glazing is 40 to 50 percent lighter than conventional glass, which piques a persons vision of automobile manufacturers. Using the advantages being immediately obvious, PMMA is seen as the proper fit for automotive glazing. Weight savings apart, the transparency of acrylic plastic with its very high weathering resistance, pleasant acoustic properties, and exceptional form ability allow freedom enabling entirely new design possibilities.
Less stress birefringence
PMMA exhibits hardly any stress birefringence and also this works as a major benefit over other thermoplastics for example polycarbonate, that was primarily useful for glazing during the past. In contrast to traditional materials for example polycarbonate, moulded PMMA, offers a distinct potential for functional integration – reducing recess depth and assembly costs.
Environment-friendly
The brand new goal in the automotive industry is to formulate clean low fuel consumption vehicles. Due to the awareness and the requirement for eco-friendly initiatives in the present general 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 satisfy the latest challenges in the transportation sector. It’s a monumental challenge for car makers looking to sit in recent environmental requirements and therefore are thinking of alternatives that reduce greenhouse gas and save fuel. It is the perfect partner within this movement since it helps make cars lighter.
Like a leading manufacturer of SUMIPEX® PMMA polymer, Sumitomo Chemical is happy to assist you understand its properties and just how it most suitable to automotive glazing.
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