Polycarbonate had earned the tag because the most appropriate material for usage within the automotive industry. However, in recent years, Polymethyl Methacrylate, the PMMA polymer or commonly known acrylic plastic, has efficiently risen towards the growing demands from the automotive industry in replacing polycarbonate for important utilization in a, namely, automotive glazing.
Long established for usage in several vehicle applications like decorative trim, ambient lighting and door entry strips, automotive glazing is one of those fields that supply the greatest growth prospect of PMMA.
Related key top features of acrylic plastic which make it suitable for the whole process of automotive glazing are discussed below.
Light weight
To generate a comparison with a simple level, PMMA is half the load and more transparent than glass, thereby providing really clear visibility during the truth of fluctuating and unstable temperatures. Due to its molecular structure, thermoformed methyl methacrylate resin are now used almost exclusively for car window glazing where every one of the necessary requirements for light-weight materials which can be safe, easy to process and perform in every weathers are met.
High on Scratch Resistance
Another critical requirement for glazing is scratch resistance. Standard PMMA already has got the highest surface hardness coming from all thermoplastics even if uncoated. However, for automotive glazing, there are stringent conditions being fulfilled to meet the perfect condition of scratch resistance. The use of a coating is thus mandatory. Due to the fact PMMA is intrinsically UV along with weathering-resistant, a single-step coating is effective. On the other hand, thermoplastics which may have low effectiveness against weathering have to have a two-step coating system. This leads to relatively expense for coating.
New design possibilities
PMMA glazing is Forty to fifty percent lighter than conventional glass, which piques a persons vision of automobile manufacturers. With the advantages being immediately obvious, PMMA is seen as the right fit for automotive glazing. Weight savings apart, the transparency of acrylic plastic in addition to its extremely 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 serves as a major benefit over other thermoplastics like polycarbonate, that has been primarily employed for glazing before. Weighed against traditional materials like polycarbonate, moulded PMMA, offers a distinct chance of functional integration – reducing recess depth and assembly costs.
Environment-friendly
The brand new goal within the automotive companies are to formulate clean low fuel consumption vehicles. Because of the awareness as well as the requirement for eco-friendly initiatives with the current economic scheme of things, PMMA serves as a perfect alternative to 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 match the latest challenges within the transportation sector. It’s a monumental challenge for auto makers that want to adjust to recent environmental requirements and so are thinking about alternatives that reduce greenhouse gas and save fuel. It is the perfect partner in this movement given it tends to make cars lighter.
As a leading manufacturer of SUMIPEX® PMMA polymer, Sumitomo Chemical is pleased to assist you in understanding its properties and exactly how it most suitable to automotive glazing.
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