Polycarbonate had earned the tag because the the best option material to use within 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 the most important used in the market, namely, automotive glazing.
Long established to use in many different vehicle applications such as decorative trim, ambient lighting and door entry strips, automotive glazing is just one of those fields offering the very best growth possibility of PMMA.
Related key popular features of acrylic plastic that make it ideal for the operation of automotive glazing are discussed below.
Light-weight
To generate a comparison on the very basic level, PMMA is half the body weight and much more transparent than glass, thereby providing really clear visibility during the situation of fluctuating and unstable temperatures. As a result of its molecular structure, thermoformed polymer resin are now used almost mainly for car window glazing where each of the necessary requirements for light-weight materials which can be safe, 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 the highest surface hardness of all thermoplastics even when uncoated. However, for automotive glazing, you will find stringent conditions being fulfilled in order to meet the optimal state of scratch resistance. The effective use of a coating is thus 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 who have low potential to deal with weathering need a two-step coating system. This results in relatively high costs for coating.
New design possibilities
PMMA glazing is Forty to fifty percent lighter than conventional glass, which piques a person’s eye of automobile manufacturers. With the advantages being immediately obvious, PMMA is viewed as the correct fit for automotive glazing. Weight savings apart, the transparency of acrylic plastic in addition to its very high weathering resistance, pleasant acoustic properties, and exceptional form ability allow freedom enabling entirely new design possibilities.
Less negative feelings birefringence
PMMA exhibits hardly any stress birefringence and this serves as a major benefit over other thermoplastics such as polycarbonate, which was primarily employed for glazing before. In comparison with traditional materials such as polycarbonate, moulded PMMA, supplies a distinct possibility of functional integration – reducing recess depth and assembly costs.
Environment-friendly
The newest goal within the automotive industry is to build up clean low fuel consumption vehicles. In the awareness and also the dependence on eco-friendly initiatives in the current scheme of things, PMMA serves as a perfect substitute for glass within the automotive glazing segment. As vehicle manufacturers push the boundaries of design, also is automotive glazing evolving.
SUMIPEX® PMMA polymer offers characteristics that meet the latest challenges within the transportation sector. It’s a monumental challenge for car makers that are looking for to adjust to recent environmental requirements and so are considering alternatives that reduce greenhouse gas and save fuel. Oahu is the perfect partner in this movement since it can make cars lighter.
Being a leading manufacturer of SUMIPEX® PMMA polymer, Sumitomo Chemical is pleased to help you out understand its properties and exactly how it ideal to automotive glazing.
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