Polycarbonate had earned the tag since the the most suitable material for use inside the automotive industry. However, in recent times, Polymethyl Methacrylate, the PMMA polymer or commonly known acrylic plastic, has efficiently risen to the growing demands in the automotive industry in replacing polycarbonate which are more important utilization in the, namely, automotive glazing.
Long established for use in a variety of vehicle applications such as decorative trim, ambient lighting and door entry strips, automotive glazing is one of those fields that provide the best growth potential for PMMA.
Related key options that come with acrylic plastic that make it perfect for the operation of automotive glazing are discussed below.
Transportable
To generate a comparison on the simple level, PMMA is half the body weight and much more transparent than glass, thereby providing really clear visibility even just in the truth of fluctuating and unstable temperatures. As a result of its molecular structure, thermoformed thermoplastic resin are now used almost mainly for car window glazing where each of the necessary requirements for light-weight materials which might be safe, an easy task to process and perform in most weathers are met.
At the top of Scratch Resistance
Another important dependence on glazing is scratch resistance. Standard PMMA already has the highest surface hardness of all thermoplastics even when uncoated. However, for automotive glazing, there are stringent conditions being fulfilled to meet the optimal condition of scratch resistance. The usage of a coating is thus mandatory. Given that PMMA is intrinsically UV in addition to weathering-resistant, a single-step coating is useful. On the other hand, thermoplastics which have low capacity weathering have to have a two-step coating system. This leads to relatively expensive 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 viewed as the proper fit for automotive glazing. Weight savings apart, the transparency of acrylic plastic in addition to its high weathering resistance, pleasant acoustic properties, and exceptional form ability allow freedom enabling entirely new design possibilities.
Less anxiety birefringence
PMMA exhibits almost no stress birefringence which serves as a major benefit over other thermoplastics such as polycarbonate, that has been primarily used by glazing in the past. Weighed against traditional materials such as polycarbonate, moulded PMMA, supplies a distinct possibility of functional integration – reducing recess depth and assembly costs.
Environment-friendly
The brand new goal inside the automotive companies are to develop clean low fuel consumption vehicles. Due to the awareness and also the requirement of eco-friendly initiatives with the current economic general scheme of things, PMMA serves as a perfect alternative to glass inside the automotive glazing segment. As vehicle manufacturers push the bounds of design, also is automotive glazing evolving.
SUMIPEX® PMMA polymer offers characteristics that satisfy the latest challenges inside the transportation sector. It’s a monumental challenge for car makers looking to sit in recent environmental requirements and they are thinking of alternatives that reduce greenhouse gas and save fuel. Oahu is the perfect partner with this movement as it can make cars lighter.
Being a leading manufacturer of SUMIPEX® PMMA polymer, Sumitomo Chemical is pleased to help you out to understand its properties and just how it ideal to automotive glazing.
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