Polycarbonate had earned the tag because the most appropriate material to be used inside the automotive industry. However, these days, 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 most important use in the industry, namely, automotive glazing.

Long established to be used in a number of vehicle applications including decorative trim, ambient lighting and door entry strips, automotive glazing is one of those fields offering the very best growth possibility of PMMA.
Related key popular features of acrylic plastic which make it perfect for the operation of automotive glazing are discussed below.
Light-weight
To make a comparison over a very basic level, PMMA is half the load and much more transparent than glass, thereby providing superior visibility even during true of fluctuating and unstable temperatures. Due to its molecular structure, thermoformed sumitomo chemical asia are actually used almost just for car window glazing where all of the necessary requirements for light-weight materials which can be safe, simple to process and perform in all of the weathers are met.
At the top of Scratch Resistance
Another significant requirement of glazing is scratch resistance. Standard PMMA already contains the highest surface hardness of most thermoplastics even if uncoated. However, for automotive glazing, you will find stringent conditions to be fulfilled in order to meet the best condition of scratch resistance. The effective use of a coating is thus mandatory. Since PMMA is intrinsically UV and also weathering-resistant, a single-step coating is successful. In comparison, thermoplastics which may have low capacity weathering need a two-step coating system. This leads to relatively expensive for coating.
New design possibilities
PMMA glazing is 40 to 50 percent lighter than conventional glass, which piques the eye of automobile manufacturers. With the advantages being immediately obvious, PMMA is currently seen as the right fit for automotive glazing. Weight savings apart, the transparency of acrylic plastic as well as its quite 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 operates as a major benefit over other thermoplastics including polycarbonate, that was primarily employed for glazing before. In comparison with traditional materials including polycarbonate, moulded PMMA, supplies a distinct chance of functional integration – reducing recess depth and assembly costs.
Environment-friendly
The newest goal inside the automotive market is to produce clean low fuel consumption vehicles. Due to the awareness and also the requirement for eco-friendly initiatives in today’s scheme of things, PMMA operates as a perfect option to glass inside the automotive glazing segment. As vehicle manufacturers push the bounds of design, so too is automotive glazing evolving.
SUMIPEX® PMMA polymer offers characteristics that fulfill the latest challenges inside the transportation sector. It’s a monumental challenge for auto makers that are looking for to adjust to recent environmental requirements and therefore are thinking about alternatives that reduce greenhouse gas and save fuel. It is the perfect partner with this movement because it helps make cars lighter.
Like a leading manufacturer of SUMIPEX® PMMA polymer, Sumitomo Chemical is glad to assist you in understanding its properties and just how it suitable to automotive glazing.
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