Polycarbonate had earned the tag since the the most appropriate material to be used within the automotive industry. However, these days, Polymethyl Methacrylate, the PMMA polymer or commonly known acrylic plastic, has efficiently risen towards the growing demands with the automotive industry in replacing polycarbonate for the most important use within the industry, namely, automotive glazing.
Long established to be used in a variety of vehicle applications such as decorative trim, ambient lighting and door entry strips, automotive glazing is just one of those fields that offer the best growth prospect of PMMA.
Related key popular features of acrylic plastic making it well suited for the operation of automotive glazing are discussed below.
Light weight
To generate a comparison on the standard level, PMMA is half the extra weight and more transparent than glass, thereby providing superior visibility even in the case of fluctuating and unstable temperatures. Because of its molecular structure, thermoformed polymethyl methacrylate are actually used almost just 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.
High on Scratch Resistance
Another critical requirement for glazing is scratch resistance. Standard PMMA already has the highest surface hardness of all thermoplastics even when uncoated. However, for automotive glazing, you’ll find stringent conditions being fulfilled to satisfy the optimal state of scratch resistance. The usage of a coating is thus mandatory. Given that PMMA is intrinsically UV as well as weathering-resistant, a single-step coating is successful. On the other hand, thermoplastics that have low resistance to weathering have to have a two-step coating system. This results in relatively high costs for coating.
New design possibilities
PMMA glazing is 40 to 50 percent lighter than conventional glass, which piques the interest of automobile manufacturers. With the advantages being immediately obvious, PMMA is seen as the proper fit for automotive glazing. Weight savings apart, the transparency of acrylic plastic with its very high weathering resistance, pleasant acoustic properties, and exceptional form ability allow freedom enabling entirely new design possibilities.
Less stress birefringence
PMMA exhibits hardly any stress birefringence and also this operates as a major benefit over other thermoplastics such as polycarbonate, that was primarily used by glazing before. Weighed against traditional materials such as polycarbonate, moulded PMMA, supplies a distinct possibility of functional integration – reducing recess depth and assembly costs.
Environment-friendly
The brand new goal within the automotive market is to formulate clean low fuel consumption vehicles. Because of the awareness as well as the requirement for eco-friendly initiatives with the current economic general scheme of things, PMMA operates as a perfect substitute for 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 want to sit in recent environmental requirements and they are considering alternatives that reduce greenhouse gas and save fuel. It is the perfect partner in this movement since it can make cars lighter.
Like a leading manufacturer of SUMIPEX® PMMA polymer, Sumitomo Chemical is glad to assist you understand its properties and how it ideal to automotive glazing.
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