Polycarbonate had earned the tag since the the best option material to use in the automotive industry. However, these days, Polymethyl Methacrylate, the PMMA polymer or commonly known acrylic plastic, has efficiently risen on the growing demands in the automotive industry in replacing polycarbonate for important use in the industry, namely, automotive glazing.
Long established to use in many different vehicle applications like decorative trim, ambient lighting and door entry strips, automotive glazing is one kind of those fields that provide the greatest growth prospect of PMMA.
Related key options that come with acrylic plastic which render it well suited for the whole process of automotive glazing are discussed below.
Transportable
To create a comparison over a very basic level, PMMA is half the weight and more transparent than glass, thereby providing really clear visibility even just in the case of fluctuating and unstable temperatures. Due to its molecular structure, thermoformed Acrylic Plastic are actually used almost only for car window glazing where all the necessary requirements for light-weight materials which can be safe, an easy task to process and perform in all of the weathers are met.
On top of Scratch Resistance
Another significant requirement for glazing is scratch resistance. Standard PMMA already has got the highest surface hardness of most thermoplastics even though uncoated. However, for automotive glazing, there are stringent conditions to become fulfilled in order to meet the ideal condition of scratch resistance. The effective use of a coating is thus mandatory. Given that PMMA is intrinsically UV as well as weathering-resistant, a single-step coating is effective. On the other hand, thermoplastics which have low effectiveness against weathering require 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 the eye of automobile manufacturers. With the advantages being immediately obvious, PMMA is currently known as the correct 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 anxiety birefringence
PMMA exhibits very little stress birefringence this also works as a major benefit over other thermoplastics like polycarbonate, which has been primarily used by glazing previously. In comparison with traditional materials like polycarbonate, moulded PMMA, comes with a distinct chance for functional integration – reducing recess depth and assembly costs.
Environment-friendly
The modern goal in the automotive marketplace is to build up clean low fuel consumption vehicles. Due to the awareness and also the dependence on eco-friendly initiatives with the current economic 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 match the latest challenges in the transportation sector. It’s a monumental challenge for auto makers looking to adjust to recent environmental requirements and therefore are considering alternatives that reduce greenhouse gas and save fuel. Oahu is the perfect partner in this movement because it helps make cars lighter.
As a leading manufacturer of SUMIPEX® PMMA polymer, Sumitomo Chemical is glad to help you out understand its properties and the way it suitable to automotive glazing.
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