Polycarbonate had earned the tag since the the most suitable material to be used in 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 important used in a, 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 one of those fields that offer the highest growth possibility of PMMA.
Related key top features of acrylic plastic which render it perfect for the process of automotive glazing are discussed below.
Lightweight
To generate a comparison with a very basic level, PMMA is half the extra weight plus much more transparent than glass, thereby providing crystal clear visibility during the truth of fluctuating and unstable temperatures. Owing to its molecular structure, thermoformed acrylic glass are now used almost only for car window glazing where every one of the necessary requirements for light-weight materials which can be safe, very easy to process and perform in every weathers are met.
On top of Scratch Resistance
Another critical requirement for glazing is scratch resistance. Standard PMMA already has got the highest surface hardness of most thermoplastics regardless if uncoated. However, for automotive glazing, there are stringent conditions to become fulfilled in order to meet the ideal condition of scratch resistance. The application of a coating thus remains mandatory. Due to the fact PMMA is intrinsically UV as well as weathering-resistant, a single-step coating is effective. In contrast, thermoplastics who have low capacity weathering have to have a two-step coating system. This results in relatively expense for coating.
New design possibilities
PMMA glazing is 40 to 50 percent lighter than conventional glass, which piques a persons vision of automobile manufacturers. Together with the advantages being immediately obvious, PMMA has become viewed as the proper 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 anxiety birefringence
PMMA exhibits hardly any stress birefringence and also this serves as a major benefit over other thermoplastics for example polycarbonate, which was primarily used for glazing during 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 in the automotive market is to develop clean low fuel consumption vehicles. In the awareness and the requirement for eco-friendly initiatives in today’s general scheme of things, PMMA serves as a perfect alternative to glass in the automotive glazing segment. As vehicle manufacturers push the bounds of design, also is automotive glazing evolving.
SUMIPEX® PMMA polymer offers characteristics that meet the latest challenges in the transportation sector. It’s a monumental challenge for car makers that want to adjust to recent environmental requirements and therefore are considering alternatives that reduce greenhouse gas and save fuel. It’s the perfect partner within this movement because it makes cars lighter.
Like a leading manufacturer of SUMIPEX® PMMA polymer, Sumitomo Chemical is happy to work with you understand its properties and just how it suitable to automotive glazing.
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