Polycarbonate had earned the tag since the the most suitable material to use within the automotive industry. However, in recent years, Polymethyl Methacrylate, the PMMA polymer or commonly known acrylic plastic, has efficiently risen to the growing demands with the automotive industry in replacing polycarbonate for the most important utilization in a, namely, automotive glazing.
Long established to use in several vehicle applications including decorative trim, ambient lighting and door entry strips, automotive glazing is just one of those fields that provide the greatest growth potential for PMMA.
Related key top features of acrylic plastic which render it suitable for the entire process of automotive glazing are discussed below.
Light weight
To generate a comparison on the very basic level, PMMA is half the load and much more transparent than glass, thereby providing crystal clear visibility even in the truth of fluctuating and unstable temperatures. Due to its molecular structure, thermoformed acrylic sheet are now used almost mainly for car window glazing where each of the necessary requirements for light-weight materials that are safe, very easy to process and perform in all weathers are met.
At the top of Scratch Resistance
Another significant requirement for glazing is scratch resistance. Standard PMMA already has got the highest surface hardness of most thermoplastics even though uncoated. However, for automotive glazing, there are stringent conditions being fulfilled in order to meet the best state of scratch resistance. The application of a coating is therefore mandatory. Considering that PMMA is intrinsically UV and also weathering-resistant, a single-step coating works well. In comparison, thermoplastics which have low resistance to weathering require a two-step coating system. This results in relatively expensive for coating.
New design possibilities
PMMA glazing is Forty to fifty percent lighter than conventional glass, which piques a persons vision of automobile manufacturers. Using the advantages being immediately obvious, PMMA is known as 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 almost no stress birefringence and this functions as a major benefit over other thermoplastics including polycarbonate, which was primarily useful for glazing previously. In comparison with traditional materials including polycarbonate, moulded PMMA, provides a distinct chance for functional integration – reducing recess depth and assembly costs.
Environment-friendly
The new goal within the automotive companies are to build up clean low fuel consumption vehicles. Because of the awareness and the requirement for eco-friendly initiatives in the present scheme of things, PMMA functions as a perfect replacement for glass within the automotive glazing segment. As vehicle manufacturers push the boundaries of design, so too is automotive glazing evolving.
SUMIPEX® PMMA polymer offers characteristics that satisfy the latest challenges within the transportation sector. It’s a monumental challenge for auto makers that are looking for to sit in recent environmental requirements and so are thinking about alternatives that reduce greenhouse gas and save fuel. It’s the perfect partner in this movement as it can make cars lighter.
As a leading manufacturer of SUMIPEX® PMMA polymer, Sumitomo Chemical is happy to help you out in understanding its properties and just how it most suitable to automotive glazing.
Check out about acrylic sheet you can check the best web portal: visit site