Polycarbonate had earned the tag because the most suitable material to be used within the automotive industry. However, recently, Polymethyl Methacrylate, the PMMA polymer or commonly known acrylic plastic, has efficiently risen for the growing demands with the automotive industry in replacing polycarbonate for important use within the, namely, automotive glazing.
Long established to be used in a variety of vehicle applications for example decorative trim, ambient lighting and door entry strips, automotive glazing is just one of those fields that offer the greatest growth prospect of PMMA.
Related key popular features of acrylic plastic that make it ideal for the whole process of automotive glazing are discussed below.
Light weight
To create a comparison over a standard level, PMMA is half the load plus more transparent than glass, thereby providing really clear visibility even during the situation of fluctuating and unstable temperatures. Because of its molecular structure, thermoformed methyl methacrylate resin are used almost just for car window glazing where all of the necessary requirements for light-weight materials which are safe, very easy to process and perform in all weathers are met.
At the top of Scratch Resistance
Another critical requirement for glazing is scratch resistance. Standard PMMA already has got the highest surface hardness of all thermoplastics even when uncoated. However, for automotive glazing, you’ll find stringent conditions to get fulfilled to meet the perfect condition of scratch resistance. The effective use of a coating is therefore mandatory. Since PMMA is intrinsically UV and also weathering-resistant, a single-step coating is useful. On the other hand, thermoplastics that have low effectiveness against weathering have to have a two-step coating system. This results in relatively high costs 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 considered the right fit for automotive glazing. Weight savings apart, the transparency of acrylic plastic along 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 hardly any stress birefringence and also this functions as a major benefit over other thermoplastics for example polycarbonate, that has been primarily useful for glazing before. Weighed against traditional materials for example polycarbonate, moulded PMMA, offers a distinct chance of functional integration – reducing recess depth and assembly costs.
Environment-friendly
The brand new goal within the automotive market is to build up clean low fuel consumption vehicles. Given the awareness along with the dependence on eco-friendly initiatives in the current scheme of things, PMMA functions as a perfect alternative to glass within 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 within the transportation sector. It’s a monumental challenge for car makers that are looking for to adjust to recent environmental requirements and therefore are contemplating alternatives that reduce greenhouse gas and save fuel. It’s the perfect partner within this movement because it tends to make cars lighter.
As being a leading manufacturer of SUMIPEX® PMMA polymer, Sumitomo Chemical is satisfied to help you out understand its properties and just how it best suited to automotive glazing.
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