Polycarbonate had earned the tag because the the most suitable material to use from the automotive industry. However, in recent times, 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 utilization in the, namely, automotive glazing.
Long established to use in several vehicle applications such as decorative trim, ambient lighting and door entry strips, automotive glazing is among those fields offering the greatest growth risk of PMMA.
Related key options that come with acrylic plastic which render it ideal for the operation of automotive glazing are discussed below.
Light weight
To produce a comparison over a simple level, PMMA is half the extra weight plus more transparent than glass, thereby providing superior visibility during the situation of fluctuating and unstable temperatures. Due to its molecular structure, thermoformed acrylic sheet are used almost only for car window glazing where all the necessary requirements for light-weight materials which can be safe, easy to process and perform in all of the weathers are met.
High on Scratch Resistance
Another critical dependence on glazing is scratch resistance. Standard PMMA already has the highest surface hardness of all thermoplastics even though uncoated. However, for automotive glazing, you will find stringent conditions to become fulfilled to fulfill the best condition of scratch resistance. The application of a coating thus remains mandatory. Considering that PMMA is intrinsically UV and also weathering-resistant, a single-step coating is effective. In comparison, thermoplastics who have low effectiveness against weathering require a two-step coating system. This results in relatively expense for coating.
New design possibilities
PMMA glazing is 40 to 50 percent lighter than conventional glass, which piques a person’s eye of automobile manufacturers. Using the advantages being immediately obvious, PMMA is considered the right 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 anxiety birefringence
PMMA exhibits very little stress birefringence and also this functions as a major benefit over other thermoplastics such as polycarbonate, that has been primarily useful for glazing previously. Weighed against traditional materials such as polycarbonate, moulded PMMA, provides a distinct possibility of functional integration – reducing recess depth and assembly costs.
Environment-friendly
The brand new goal from the automotive market is to develop clean low fuel consumption vehicles. In the awareness and the need for eco-friendly initiatives with the current economic general scheme of things, PMMA functions as a perfect replacement for glass from 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 from the transportation sector. It’s a monumental challenge for auto makers that want to sit in recent environmental requirements and so are considering alternatives that reduce greenhouse gas and save fuel. It is the perfect partner on this movement since it can make cars lighter.
As a leading manufacturer of SUMIPEX® PMMA polymer, Sumitomo Chemical is happy to assist you in understanding its properties and just how it suitable to automotive glazing.
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