Polycarbonate had earned the tag because the most suitable material for use from the automotive industry. However, these days, Polymethyl Methacrylate, the PMMA polymer or commonly known acrylic plastic, has efficiently risen for the growing demands in the automotive industry in replacing polycarbonate for important used in the market, namely, automotive glazing.

Long established for use in a variety of vehicle applications including decorative trim, ambient lighting and door entry strips, automotive glazing is just one of those fields that offer the best growth potential for PMMA.
Related key popular features of acrylic plastic which render it perfect for the entire process of automotive glazing are discussed below.
Lightweight
To produce a comparison on the erogenous level, PMMA is half the weight and much more transparent than glass, thereby providing really clear visibility even in the truth of fluctuating and unstable temperatures. Due to its molecular structure, thermoformed acrylic glass have become 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 most weathers are met.
At the top of Scratch Resistance
Another important dependence on glazing is scratch resistance. Standard PMMA already has got the highest surface hardness of thermoplastics even when uncoated. However, for automotive glazing, you can find stringent conditions to become fulfilled to satisfy the ideal condition of scratch resistance. The use of a coating is therefore mandatory. Considering that PMMA is intrinsically UV as well as weathering-resistant, a single-step coating is useful. On the other hand, thermoplastics which may have low capacity weathering require a two-step coating system. This ends in relatively high costs 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. Together with the advantages being immediately obvious, PMMA is now known as the correct fit for automotive glazing. Weight savings apart, the transparency of acrylic plastic in addition to its high weathering resistance, pleasant acoustic properties, and exceptional form ability allow freedom enabling entirely new design possibilities.
Less negative feelings birefringence
PMMA exhibits very little stress birefringence and this works as a major benefit over other thermoplastics including polycarbonate, that was primarily useful for glazing before. Weighed against traditional materials including polycarbonate, moulded PMMA, offers a distinct chance of functional integration – reducing recess depth and assembly costs.
Environment-friendly
The brand new goal from the automotive companies are to formulate clean low fuel consumption vehicles. Due to the awareness and the need for eco-friendly initiatives in today’s scheme of things, PMMA works as a perfect alternative to 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 fulfill the latest challenges from the transportation sector. It’s a monumental challenge for auto makers that are looking for to sit in recent environmental requirements and therefore are thinking about alternatives that reduce greenhouse gas and save fuel. It is 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 assist you in understanding its properties and exactly how it ideal to automotive glazing.
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