Polycarbonate had earned the tag because the most appropriate material for usage within the automotive industry. However, in recent times, 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 the most important utilization in the market, namely, automotive glazing.
Long established for usage in a variety of vehicle applications for example decorative trim, ambient lighting and door entry strips, automotive glazing is just one of those fields that offer the best growth prospect of PMMA.
Related key top features of acrylic plastic that make it suitable for the whole process of automotive glazing are discussed below.
Light weight
To create a comparison over a simple level, PMMA is half the extra weight plus more transparent than glass, thereby providing crystal clear visibility during the case of fluctuating and unstable temperatures. Owing to its molecular structure, thermoformed thermoplastic resin are actually used almost only for car window glazing where each of the necessary requirements for light-weight materials which can be safe, easy to process and perform in all of the weathers are met.
High on Scratch Resistance
Another critical requirement of glazing is scratch resistance. Standard PMMA already has got the highest surface hardness coming from all thermoplastics even though uncoated. However, for automotive glazing, you will find stringent conditions to become fulfilled to satisfy the optimal state of scratch resistance. The effective use of a coating is therefore mandatory. Considering that PMMA is intrinsically UV and also weathering-resistant, a single-step coating is successful. On the other hand, thermoplastics who have low potential to deal with weathering demand a two-step coating system. This results in relatively expensive for coating.
New design possibilities
PMMA glazing is 40 to 50 percent lighter than conventional glass, which piques a person’s eye of automobile manufacturers. With all the advantages being immediately obvious, PMMA is currently viewed as the proper fit for automotive glazing. Weight savings apart, the transparency of acrylic plastic in addition to its quite 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 which functions as a major benefit over other thermoplastics for example polycarbonate, which has been primarily employed for glazing in the past. Weighed against traditional materials for example polycarbonate, moulded PMMA, supplies a distinct possibility of functional integration – reducing recess depth and assembly costs.
Environment-friendly
The new goal within the automotive marketplace is to build up clean low fuel consumption vehicles. Because of the awareness and also the requirement for eco-friendly initiatives in the current scheme of things, PMMA functions as a perfect substitute for glass within the automotive glazing segment. As vehicle manufacturers push the bounds of design, so too is automotive glazing evolving.
SUMIPEX® PMMA polymer offers characteristics that satisfy the latest challenges within the transportation sector. It’s a monumental challenge for car makers that are looking to sit in recent environmental requirements and therefore are contemplating alternatives that reduce greenhouse gas and save fuel. Oahu is the perfect partner on this movement because it helps make cars lighter.
As being a leading manufacturer of SUMIPEX® PMMA polymer, Sumitomo Chemical is satisfied to work with you to understand its properties and the way it ideal to automotive glazing.
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