Polycarbonate had earned the tag because the the most appropriate material for use from the automotive industry. However, in recent years, 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 use in the industry, namely, automotive glazing.
Long established for use in many different vehicle applications for example decorative trim, ambient lighting and door entry strips, automotive glazing is one of those fields offering the highest growth possibility of PMMA.
Related key top features of acrylic plastic which make it ideal for the operation of automotive glazing are discussed below.
Lightweight
To produce a comparison on a standard level, PMMA is half the body weight and more transparent than glass, thereby providing crystal clear visibility even in the case of fluctuating and unstable temperatures. Owing to its molecular structure, thermoformed pmma plastic are now used almost mainly for car window glazing where all the necessary requirements for light-weight materials that are safe, easy to process and perform in most weathers are met.
High on Scratch Resistance
Another critical desire for glazing is scratch resistance. Standard PMMA already has got the highest surface hardness coming from all thermoplastics even when uncoated. However, for automotive glazing, there are stringent conditions to become fulfilled to fulfill the ideal state of scratch resistance. The effective use of a coating is therefore mandatory. Due to the fact PMMA is intrinsically UV in addition to weathering-resistant, a single-step coating is successful. In contrast, thermoplastics which have low effectiveness against weathering need a two-step coating system. This results in relatively high costs for coating.
New design possibilities
PMMA glazing is Forty to fifty percent lighter than conventional glass, which piques the interest of automobile manufacturers. Together with the advantages being immediately obvious, PMMA is known as the proper fit for automotive glazing. Weight savings apart, the transparency of acrylic plastic as well as its quite high weathering resistance, pleasant acoustic properties, and exceptional form ability allow freedom enabling entirely new design possibilities.
Less stress birefringence
PMMA exhibits very little stress birefringence and this serves as a major benefit over other thermoplastics for example polycarbonate, that was primarily employed for glazing during the past. Weighed against traditional materials for example polycarbonate, moulded PMMA, supplies a distinct possibility of functional integration – reducing recess depth and assembly costs.
Environment-friendly
The new goal from the automotive industry is to produce clean low fuel consumption vehicles. Given the awareness as well as the dependence on eco-friendly initiatives with the current economic general scheme of things, PMMA serves as a perfect substitute for glass from the automotive glazing segment. As vehicle manufacturers push the boundaries of design, so too is automotive glazing evolving.
SUMIPEX® PMMA polymer offers characteristics that match the latest challenges from the transportation sector. It’s a monumental challenge for car makers looking to adjust to recent environmental requirements and are considering alternatives that reduce greenhouse gas and save fuel. It does not take perfect partner within this movement given it tends to make cars lighter.
Being a leading manufacturer of SUMIPEX® PMMA polymer, Sumitomo Chemical is happy to help you out understand its properties and just how it ideal to automotive glazing.
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