Polycarbonate had earned the tag because the most appropriate material to use within the automotive industry. However, recently, Polymethyl Methacrylate, the PMMA polymer or commonly known acrylic plastic, has efficiently risen towards the growing demands in the automotive industry in replacing polycarbonate for the best important use within the, namely, automotive glazing.
Long established to use in many different vehicle applications such as decorative trim, ambient lighting and door entry strips, automotive glazing is one of those fields that supply the best growth prospect of PMMA.
Related key popular features of acrylic plastic which make it ideal for the entire process of automotive glazing are discussed below.
Light-weight
To generate a comparison on a erogenous level, PMMA is half the extra weight plus more transparent than glass, thereby providing magnificent visibility even during the situation of fluctuating and unstable temperatures. As a result of its molecular structure, thermoformed Acrylic Plastic are actually used almost just for car window glazing where all of the necessary requirements for light-weight materials which are safe, very easy to process and perform in every weathers are met.
At the top of Scratch Resistance
Another important requirement of glazing is scratch resistance. Standard PMMA already gets the highest surface hardness of all thermoplastics even when uncoated. However, for automotive glazing, you will find stringent conditions to be fulfilled to meet the ideal state of scratch resistance. The use of a coating is therefore mandatory. Considering that PMMA is intrinsically UV and also weathering-resistant, a single-step coating is useful. In comparison, thermoplastics that have low potential to deal with weathering need a two-step coating system. This brings about relatively expense for coating.
New design possibilities
PMMA glazing is Forty to fifty percent lighter than conventional glass, which piques the interest of automobile manufacturers. 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 with its extremely high weathering resistance, pleasant acoustic properties, and exceptional form ability allow freedom enabling entirely new design possibilities.
Less anxiety birefringence
PMMA exhibits very little stress birefringence this also works as a major benefit over other thermoplastics such as polycarbonate, which was primarily employed for glazing in the past. 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 newest goal within the automotive companies are to produce clean low fuel consumption vehicles. In the awareness and also the requirement of eco-friendly initiatives in today’s general scheme of things, PMMA works as a perfect replacement 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 satisfy the latest challenges within the transportation sector. It’s a monumental challenge for auto makers that are looking to adjust to recent environmental requirements and are thinking about alternatives that reduce greenhouse gas and save fuel. It’s the perfect partner on this movement as it makes cars lighter.
Like a leading manufacturer of SUMIPEX® PMMA polymer, Sumitomo Chemical is satisfied to help you to understand its properties and just how it suitable to automotive glazing.
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