5 Explanations why Acrylic Plastic Is Used For Automotive Glazing

Polycarbonate had earned the tag because the most suitable material for use within the automotive industry. However, recently, Polymethyl Methacrylate, the PMMA polymer or commonly known acrylic plastic, has efficiently risen for the growing demands from the automotive industry in replacing polycarbonate which are more important used in the, namely, automotive glazing.


Long established for use in many different vehicle applications for example decorative trim, ambient lighting and door entry strips, automotive glazing is one kind of those fields that supply the very best growth potential for PMMA.
Related key popular features of acrylic plastic which make it perfect for the entire process of automotive glazing are discussed below.
Light-weight
To make a comparison on the standard level, PMMA is half the body weight plus much more transparent than glass, thereby providing really clear visibility even in the situation of fluctuating and unstable temperatures. Because of its molecular structure, thermoformed acrylic sheet are used almost mainly for car window glazing where every one of the necessary requirements for light-weight materials which might be safe, an easy task to process and perform in every weathers are met.
At the top of Scratch Resistance
Another critical requirement for glazing is scratch resistance. Standard PMMA already contains the highest surface hardness of all thermoplastics even when uncoated. However, for automotive glazing, you’ll find stringent conditions being fulfilled to fulfill the best condition of scratch resistance. The effective use of a coating is thus mandatory. Given that PMMA is intrinsically UV and also weathering-resistant, a single-step coating is effective. On the other hand, thermoplastics that have low capacity weathering require a two-step coating system. This ends in relatively expensive for coating.
New design possibilities
PMMA glazing is Forty to fifty percent lighter than conventional glass, which piques the eye of automobile manufacturers. Using the advantages being immediately obvious, PMMA is considered the correct 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 stress birefringence
PMMA exhibits little or no stress birefringence and also this works as a major benefit over other thermoplastics for example polycarbonate, which was primarily used by glazing previously. Weighed against traditional materials for example polycarbonate, moulded PMMA, offers a distinct possibility of functional integration – reducing recess depth and assembly costs.
Environment-friendly
The brand new goal within the automotive companies are to develop clean low fuel consumption vehicles. Given the awareness and also the dependence on eco-friendly initiatives in today’s general scheme of things, PMMA works as a perfect replacement for glass within the automotive glazing segment. As vehicle manufacturers push the bounds of design, also is automotive glazing evolving.
SUMIPEX® PMMA polymer offers characteristics that fulfill the latest challenges within the transportation sector. It’s a monumental challenge for car makers looking to sit in recent environmental requirements and they are thinking about alternatives that reduce greenhouse gas and save fuel. Oahu is the perfect partner within this movement because it tends to make cars lighter.
As being a leading manufacturer of SUMIPEX® PMMA polymer, Sumitomo Chemical is happy to assist you to understand its properties and the way it best suited to automotive glazing.
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