Polycarbonate had earned the tag since the most suitable material to be used within the automotive industry. However, recently, Polymethyl Methacrylate, the PMMA polymer or commonly known acrylic plastic, has efficiently risen to the growing demands with the automotive industry in replacing polycarbonate which are more important use within the industry, namely, automotive glazing.
Long established to be used in a variety of vehicle applications for example decorative trim, ambient lighting and door entry strips, automotive glazing is among those fields offering the best growth risk of PMMA.
Related key features of acrylic plastic making it suitable for the whole process of automotive glazing are discussed below.
Light-weight
To produce a comparison over a erogenous level, PMMA is half the body weight plus more transparent than glass, thereby providing superior visibility even just in the truth of fluctuating and unstable temperatures. Due to its molecular structure, thermoformed sumitomo chemical asia are actually used almost mainly for car window glazing where each of the necessary requirements for light-weight materials which can be safe, easy to process and perform in every weathers are met.
High on Scratch Resistance
Another essential requirement of glazing is scratch resistance. Standard PMMA already has got the highest surface hardness of most thermoplastics even though uncoated. However, for automotive glazing, you’ll find stringent conditions being fulfilled to meet the optimal condition of scratch resistance. The application of a coating is therefore mandatory. Since PMMA is intrinsically UV along with weathering-resistant, a single-step coating works well. As opposed, thermoplastics who have low effectiveness against weathering demand a two-step coating system. This brings about relatively expense for coating.
New design possibilities
PMMA glazing is 40 to 50 percent lighter than conventional glass, which piques the interest of automobile manufacturers. With all the advantages being immediately obvious, PMMA has become known as the correct fit for automotive glazing. Weight savings apart, the transparency of acrylic plastic in addition to its extremely 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 this also works as a major benefit over other thermoplastics for example polycarbonate, which was primarily useful for glazing in the past. Compared with traditional materials for example polycarbonate, moulded PMMA, offers a distinct chance for functional integration – reducing recess depth and assembly costs.
Environment-friendly
The new goal within the automotive industry is to produce clean low fuel consumption vehicles. Due to the awareness as well as the requirement for eco-friendly initiatives in the present scheme of things, PMMA works as a perfect substitute for glass within the automotive glazing segment. As vehicle manufacturers push the boundaries of design, also 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 looking to sit in recent environmental requirements and so are thinking about alternatives that reduce greenhouse gas and save fuel. It’s the perfect partner on this movement because it can make cars lighter.
As being a leading manufacturer of SUMIPEX® PMMA polymer, Sumitomo Chemical is pleased to help you in understanding its properties and exactly how it best suited to automotive glazing.
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