Polycarbonate had earned the tag since the most suitable material to be used inside the automotive industry. However, these days, Polymethyl Methacrylate, the PMMA polymer or commonly known acrylic plastic, has efficiently risen for the growing demands from the automotive industry in replacing polycarbonate for important utilization in the industry, namely, automotive glazing.
Long established to be used 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 possibility of PMMA.
Related key top features of acrylic plastic that make it well suited for the process of automotive glazing are discussed below.
Light-weight
To create a comparison on a simple level, PMMA is half the body weight and more transparent than glass, thereby providing magnificent visibility even just in true of fluctuating and unstable temperatures. Owing to its molecular structure, thermoformed polymer resin are actually used almost mainly for car window glazing where all the necessary requirements for light-weight materials which are safe, simple to process and perform in all of the weathers are met.
High on Scratch Resistance
Another important requirement for glazing is scratch resistance. Standard PMMA already has got the highest surface hardness of thermoplastics regardless if uncoated. However, for automotive glazing, you can find stringent conditions to become fulfilled to satisfy the perfect condition of scratch resistance. The application of a coating thus remains mandatory. Considering that PMMA is intrinsically UV and also weathering-resistant, a single-step coating is effective. In contrast, thermoplastics who have low resistance to weathering require 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 the interest of automobile manufacturers. With the advantages being immediately obvious, PMMA is now viewed as the proper fit for automotive glazing. Weight savings apart, the transparency of acrylic plastic with its high weathering resistance, pleasant acoustic properties, and exceptional form ability allow freedom enabling entirely new design possibilities.
Less negative feelings birefringence
PMMA exhibits little or no stress birefringence and this functions as a major benefit over other thermoplastics such as polycarbonate, which was primarily useful for glazing during the past. In contrast to traditional materials such as polycarbonate, moulded PMMA, offers a distinct chance of functional integration – reducing recess depth and assembly costs.
Environment-friendly
The modern goal inside the automotive market is to produce clean low fuel consumption vehicles. Because of the awareness as well as the requirement of eco-friendly initiatives in today’s general scheme of things, PMMA functions as a perfect replacement for glass inside the automotive glazing segment. As vehicle manufacturers push the boundaries of design, so too is automotive glazing evolving.
SUMIPEX® PMMA polymer offers characteristics that satisfy the latest challenges inside the transportation sector. It’s a monumental challenge for car makers that want to sit in recent environmental requirements and they are contemplating alternatives that reduce greenhouse gas and save fuel. It does not take perfect partner within this movement because it tends to make cars lighter.
As being a leading manufacturer of SUMIPEX® PMMA polymer, Sumitomo Chemical is glad to help you out understand its properties and exactly how it best suited to automotive glazing.
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