Polycarbonate had earned the tag because the most suitable material for usage in the automotive industry. However, recently, 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 best important use in a, namely, automotive glazing.
Long established for usage in a variety of vehicle applications like decorative trim, ambient lighting and door entry strips, automotive glazing is one kind of those fields that supply the very best growth prospect of PMMA.
Related key popular features of acrylic plastic which render it well suited for the entire process of automotive glazing are discussed below.
Transportable
To make a comparison with a standard level, PMMA is half the extra weight and much more transparent than glass, thereby providing crystal clear visibility even during the case of fluctuating and unstable temperatures. As a result of its molecular structure, thermoformed polymethyl methacrylate have become used almost only for car window glazing where each of the necessary requirements for light-weight materials which might be safe, simple to process and perform in every weathers are met.
High on Scratch Resistance
Another essential desire for glazing is scratch resistance. Standard PMMA already gets the highest surface hardness of most thermoplastics even when uncoated. However, for automotive glazing, you will find stringent conditions being fulfilled to meet the perfect condition 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 works well. In comparison, thermoplastics that have low resistance to weathering demand a two-step coating system. This leads to relatively high costs 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 is viewed as the best fit for automotive glazing. Weight savings apart, the transparency of acrylic plastic along 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 little or no stress birefringence and this works as a major benefit over other thermoplastics like polycarbonate, that has been primarily used for glazing before. In contrast to traditional materials like polycarbonate, moulded PMMA, supplies a distinct potential for functional integration – reducing recess depth and assembly costs.
Environment-friendly
The modern goal in the automotive market is to develop clean low fuel consumption vehicles. Due to the awareness along with the need for eco-friendly initiatives in the current scheme of things, PMMA works as a perfect option 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 auto makers that are looking for to adjust to recent environmental requirements and are thinking of alternatives that reduce greenhouse gas and save fuel. Oahu is the perfect partner within this movement as it makes cars lighter.
As being a leading manufacturer of SUMIPEX® PMMA polymer, Sumitomo Chemical is happy to assist you in understanding its properties and how it suitable to automotive glazing.
For additional information about polymethyl methacrylate check our new internet page: click for info