Polycarbonate had earned the tag since the most suitable material to be used in the automotive industry. However, in recent years, Polymethyl Methacrylate, the PMMA polymer or commonly known acrylic plastic, has efficiently risen for the growing demands in the automotive industry in replacing polycarbonate for the best important use in the industry, namely, automotive glazing.
Long established to be used in a number of vehicle applications for example decorative trim, ambient lighting and door entry strips, automotive glazing is one of those fields that provide the highest growth risk of PMMA.
Related key popular features of acrylic plastic which render it well suited for the entire process of automotive glazing are discussed below.
Light weight
To produce a comparison on the standard level, PMMA is half the body weight plus more transparent than glass, thereby providing crystal clear visibility during the situation of fluctuating and unstable temperatures. Due to its molecular structure, thermoformed methyl methacrylate resin are now used almost only for car window glazing where all the necessary requirements for light-weight materials which can be safe, very easy to process and perform in all of the weathers are met.
High on Scratch Resistance
Another significant requirement of glazing is scratch resistance. Standard PMMA already contains the highest surface hardness of all thermoplastics even if uncoated. However, for automotive glazing, there are stringent conditions to become fulfilled to meet the perfect condition of scratch resistance. The use of a coating thus remains mandatory. Due to the fact PMMA is intrinsically UV in addition to weathering-resistant, a single-step coating is successful. On the other hand, thermoplastics which have low resistance to weathering demand a two-step coating system. This results in relatively expensive for coating.
New design possibilities
PMMA glazing is Forty to fifty percent lighter than conventional glass, which piques the interest of automobile manufacturers. With all the advantages being immediately obvious, PMMA has become known as the best fit for automotive glazing. Weight savings apart, the transparency of acrylic plastic along with its 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 this operates as a major benefit over other thermoplastics for example polycarbonate, that has been primarily used for glazing in the past. Compared with traditional materials for example polycarbonate, moulded PMMA, provides a distinct possibility of functional integration – reducing recess depth and assembly costs.
Environment-friendly
The new goal in the automotive industry is to produce clean low fuel consumption vehicles. Due to the awareness and the need for eco-friendly initiatives with the current economic scheme of things, PMMA operates 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 want to sit in recent environmental requirements and are thinking of alternatives that reduce greenhouse gas and save fuel. It is the perfect partner in this movement as it makes cars lighter.
As being a leading manufacturer of SUMIPEX® PMMA polymer, Sumitomo Chemical is happy to work with you in understanding its properties and how it ideal to automotive glazing.
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