Polycarbonate had earned the tag as the most suitable material for usage in the automotive industry. However, in recent times, Polymethyl Methacrylate, the PMMA polymer or commonly known acrylic plastic, has efficiently risen to the growing demands of the automotive industry in replacing polycarbonate for the best important utilization in the industry, namely, automotive glazing.
Long established for usage in a number of vehicle applications like decorative trim, ambient lighting and door entry strips, automotive glazing is one kind of those fields offering the highest growth potential for PMMA.
Related key popular features of acrylic plastic which make it suitable for the whole process of automotive glazing are discussed below.
Light weight
To generate a comparison on a very basic level, PMMA is half the load plus much more transparent than glass, thereby providing superior visibility even during true of fluctuating and unstable temperatures. Due to its molecular structure, thermoformed acrylic sheet are actually used almost just for car window glazing where each of the necessary requirements for light-weight materials which might be safe, simple to process and perform in all of the weathers are met.
On top of Scratch Resistance
Another important requirement of glazing is scratch resistance. Standard PMMA already contains the highest surface hardness coming from all thermoplastics regardless if uncoated. However, for automotive glazing, you can find stringent conditions to get fulfilled to meet the ideal condition of scratch resistance. The effective use of a coating thus remains mandatory. Due to the fact PMMA is intrinsically UV in addition to weathering-resistant, a single-step coating is effective. As opposed, thermoplastics that have low effectiveness against weathering require a two-step coating system. This ends 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. With the advantages being immediately obvious, PMMA has become seen as the proper fit for automotive glazing. Weight savings apart, the transparency of acrylic plastic along with its 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 this also serves as a major benefit over other thermoplastics like polycarbonate, which has been primarily used for glazing in the past. In contrast to traditional materials like polycarbonate, moulded PMMA, comes with a distinct chance of functional integration – reducing recess depth and assembly costs.
Environment-friendly
The brand new goal in the automotive market is to formulate clean low fuel consumption vehicles. Given the awareness and the need for eco-friendly initiatives in the current scheme of things, PMMA serves as a perfect option to glass in the automotive glazing segment. As vehicle manufacturers push the boundaries of design, also is automotive glazing evolving.
SUMIPEX® PMMA polymer offers characteristics that fulfill the latest challenges in the transportation sector. It’s a monumental challenge for car makers that want to sit in recent environmental requirements and so are thinking about alternatives that reduce greenhouse gas and save fuel. It’s the perfect partner with this movement since it makes cars lighter.
As a leading manufacturer of SUMIPEX® PMMA polymer, Sumitomo Chemical is satisfied to work with you to understand its properties and just how it most suitable to automotive glazing.
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