Polycarbonate had earned the tag as the the best option material for usage from the automotive industry. However, recently, Polymethyl Methacrylate, the PMMA polymer or commonly known acrylic plastic, has efficiently risen to the growing demands of the automotive industry in replacing polycarbonate for the best important use within the market, namely, automotive glazing.
Long established for usage in a variety of vehicle applications including decorative trim, ambient lighting and door entry strips, automotive glazing is one of those fields that supply the best growth potential for PMMA.
Related key top features of acrylic plastic that make it ideal for the operation of automotive glazing are discussed below.
Lightweight
To make a comparison on a standard level, PMMA is half the body weight and more transparent than glass, thereby providing crystal clear visibility even in the situation of fluctuating and unstable temperatures. Owing to its molecular structure, thermoformed acrylic glass are used almost mainly for car window glazing where each of the necessary requirements for light-weight materials that are safe, simple to process and perform in all of the weathers are met.
On top of Scratch Resistance
Another essential desire for glazing is scratch resistance. Standard PMMA already has the highest surface hardness of most thermoplastics even when uncoated. However, for automotive glazing, you can find stringent conditions to be fulfilled to meet the best state of scratch resistance. The use of a coating is thus mandatory. Due to the fact PMMA is intrinsically UV along with weathering-resistant, a single-step coating is useful. On the other hand, thermoplastics which have low capacity weathering need a two-step coating system. This brings about relatively high costs for coating.
New design possibilities
PMMA glazing is Forty to fifty percent lighter than conventional glass, which piques a persons vision of automobile manufacturers. With the advantages being immediately obvious, PMMA is currently known as the proper fit for automotive glazing. Weight savings apart, the transparency of acrylic plastic with its quite high weathering resistance, pleasant acoustic properties, and exceptional form ability allow freedom enabling entirely new design possibilities.
Less stress birefringence
PMMA exhibits very little stress birefringence this also functions as a major benefit over other thermoplastics including polycarbonate, that was primarily used for glazing in the past. Compared with traditional materials including polycarbonate, moulded PMMA, supplies a distinct possibility of functional integration – reducing recess depth and assembly costs.
Environment-friendly
The modern goal from the automotive market is to formulate clean low fuel consumption vehicles. Because of the awareness along with the requirement of eco-friendly initiatives in the present general scheme of things, PMMA functions as a perfect substitute for 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 car makers that want to adjust to recent environmental requirements and so are considering alternatives that reduce greenhouse gas and save fuel. It is the perfect partner in this movement given it makes cars lighter.
As being a leading manufacturer of SUMIPEX® PMMA polymer, Sumitomo Chemical is pleased to work with you to understand its properties and how it suitable to automotive glazing.
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