Polycarbonate had earned the tag as the the most suitable material for use from the automotive industry. However, in recent times, Polymethyl Methacrylate, the PMMA polymer or commonly known acrylic plastic, has efficiently risen for the growing demands with the automotive industry in replacing polycarbonate for the best important used in a, namely, automotive glazing.
Long established for use in a variety of vehicle applications like decorative trim, ambient lighting and door entry strips, automotive glazing is just one of those fields offering the greatest growth possibility of PMMA.
Related key options that come with acrylic plastic making it well suited for the operation of automotive glazing are discussed below.
Lightweight
To create a comparison over a simple level, PMMA is half the extra weight and much more transparent than glass, thereby providing really clear visibility even during the truth of fluctuating and unstable temperatures. Owing to its molecular structure, thermoformed polymer resin are now used almost mainly for car window glazing where all the necessary requirements for light-weight materials which can be safe, very easy to process and perform in all weathers are met.
On top of Scratch Resistance
Another significant desire for glazing is scratch resistance. Standard PMMA already contains the highest surface hardness coming from all thermoplastics even though uncoated. However, for automotive glazing, you will find stringent conditions to be fulfilled to meet the optimal state of scratch resistance. The effective use of a coating thus remains 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 which may have low capacity weathering require a two-step coating system. This leads to relatively high costs for coating.
New design possibilities
PMMA glazing is 40 to 50 percent lighter than conventional glass, which piques a persons vision of automobile manufacturers. With the advantages being immediately obvious, PMMA is currently seen as the best fit for automotive glazing. Weight savings apart, the transparency of acrylic plastic with its very high weathering resistance, pleasant acoustic properties, and exceptional form ability allow freedom enabling entirely new design possibilities.
Less anxiety birefringence
PMMA exhibits little or no stress birefringence which works as a major benefit over other thermoplastics like polycarbonate, that was primarily used by glazing in the past. In comparison with traditional materials like polycarbonate, moulded PMMA, supplies a distinct possibility of functional integration – reducing recess depth and assembly costs.
Environment-friendly
The brand new goal from the automotive marketplace is to build up clean low fuel consumption vehicles. Due to the awareness along with the need for eco-friendly initiatives with the current economic scheme of things, PMMA works as a perfect substitute for glass from 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 from the transportation sector. It’s a monumental challenge for car makers that are looking for to sit in recent environmental requirements and they are considering alternatives that reduce greenhouse gas and save fuel. It does not take perfect partner on this movement since it makes cars lighter.
As a leading manufacturer of SUMIPEX® PMMA polymer, Sumitomo Chemical is satisfied to assist you in understanding its properties and how it best suited to automotive glazing.
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