Polycarbonate had earned the tag because the the best option material to use within the automotive industry. However, these days, Polymethyl Methacrylate, the PMMA polymer or commonly known acrylic plastic, has efficiently risen to the growing demands with the automotive industry in replacing polycarbonate which are more important used in the, namely, automotive glazing.
Long established to use in many different vehicle applications including decorative trim, ambient lighting and door entry strips, automotive glazing is just one of those fields that supply the greatest growth possibility of PMMA.
Related key popular features of acrylic plastic which render it well suited for the process of automotive glazing are discussed below.
Light-weight
To generate a comparison over a simple level, PMMA is half the load plus much more transparent than glass, thereby providing crystal clear visibility even just in true of fluctuating and unstable temperatures. As a result of its molecular structure, thermoformed thermoplastic resin are now used almost only for car window glazing where each of the necessary requirements for light-weight materials which might be safe, very easy to process and perform in every weathers are met.
On top of Scratch Resistance
Another important requirement of glazing is scratch resistance. Standard PMMA already gets the highest surface hardness coming from all thermoplastics even when uncoated. However, for automotive glazing, there are stringent conditions being fulfilled to fulfill the optimal state of scratch resistance. The use of a coating is thus mandatory. Due to the fact PMMA is intrinsically UV in addition to weathering-resistant, a single-step coating is effective. As opposed, thermoplastics which may have low resistance to weathering demand a two-step coating system. This brings about 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. Together with the advantages being immediately obvious, PMMA is currently seen as the right fit for automotive glazing. Weight savings apart, the transparency of acrylic plastic with its quite high weathering resistance, pleasant acoustic properties, and exceptional form ability allow freedom enabling entirely new design possibilities.
Less negative feelings birefringence
PMMA exhibits little or no stress birefringence which works as a major benefit over other thermoplastics including polycarbonate, which has been primarily useful for glazing before. Weighed against traditional materials including polycarbonate, moulded PMMA, comes with a distinct potential for functional integration – reducing recess depth and assembly costs.
Environment-friendly
The newest goal within the automotive marketplace is to build up clean low fuel consumption vehicles. Because of the awareness and the dependence on eco-friendly initiatives in the current general scheme of things, PMMA works as a perfect alternative to glass within the automotive glazing segment. As vehicle manufacturers push the bounds of design, also is automotive glazing evolving.
SUMIPEX® PMMA polymer offers characteristics that match the latest challenges within the transportation sector. It’s a monumental challenge for auto makers that are looking to sit in recent environmental requirements and so are thinking of alternatives that reduce greenhouse gas and save fuel. It’s the perfect partner with this movement since it can make cars lighter.
As being a leading manufacturer of SUMIPEX® PMMA polymer, Sumitomo Chemical is glad to help you out understand its properties and just how it most suitable to automotive glazing.
Check out about thermoplastic resin check our internet page: click for more info