Polycarbonate had earned the tag since the most suitable material for usage in the automotive industry. However, in recent years, Polymethyl Methacrylate, the PMMA polymer or commonly known acrylic plastic, has efficiently risen for the growing demands with the automotive industry in replacing polycarbonate for important use in the market, namely, automotive glazing.
Long established for usage in a number of vehicle applications for example decorative trim, ambient lighting and door entry strips, automotive glazing is just one of those fields that provide the best growth possibility of PMMA.
Related key top features of acrylic plastic which render it perfect for the entire process of automotive glazing are discussed below.
Light-weight
To make a comparison with a simple level, PMMA is half the extra weight plus more transparent than glass, thereby providing really clear visibility even in the case of fluctuating and unstable temperatures. Because of its molecular structure, thermoformed thermoplastic resin are used almost exclusively for car window glazing where every one of the necessary requirements for light-weight materials which are safe, easy to process and perform in every weathers are met.
High on Scratch Resistance
Another important dependence on glazing is scratch resistance. Standard PMMA already has got the highest surface hardness of all thermoplastics regardless if uncoated. However, for automotive glazing, you can find stringent conditions to be fulfilled to meet the ideal state of scratch resistance. The use of a coating is therefore mandatory. Given that PMMA is intrinsically UV as well as weathering-resistant, a single-step coating is useful. In contrast, thermoplastics that have low effectiveness against weathering demand a two-step coating system. This brings about relatively expensive 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 has become known as the correct fit for automotive glazing. Weight savings apart, the transparency of acrylic plastic along 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 very little stress birefringence and this operates as a major benefit over other thermoplastics for example polycarbonate, that has been primarily useful for glazing during the past. Compared with traditional materials for example polycarbonate, moulded PMMA, comes with a distinct possibility of functional integration – reducing recess depth and assembly costs.
Environment-friendly
The new goal in the automotive companies are to produce clean low fuel consumption vehicles. Due to the awareness as well as the dependence on eco-friendly initiatives in the current general scheme of things, PMMA operates as a perfect alternative to glass in the automotive glazing segment. As vehicle manufacturers push the boundaries of design, so too 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 looking to sit in recent environmental requirements and therefore are thinking about alternatives that reduce greenhouse gas and save fuel. It does not take perfect partner on this movement as it tends to make cars lighter.
Being a leading manufacturer of SUMIPEX® PMMA polymer, Sumitomo Chemical is pleased to work with you in understanding its properties and how it ideal to automotive glazing.
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