Polycarbonate had earned the tag since the the best option material to 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 from the automotive industry in replacing polycarbonate for the best important use within a, namely, automotive glazing.
Long established to use in many different vehicle applications for example decorative trim, ambient lighting and door entry strips, automotive glazing is one kind of those fields that offer the best growth possibility of PMMA.
Related key popular features of acrylic plastic which render it well suited for the process of automotive glazing are discussed below.
Light-weight
To generate a comparison on the simple level, PMMA is half the body weight plus much more transparent than glass, thereby providing magnificent visibility even during the situation of fluctuating and unstable temperatures. Owing to its molecular structure, thermoformed polymer resin have become used almost just for car window glazing where each of the necessary requirements for light-weight materials that are safe, easy to process and perform in all of the weathers are met.
High on Scratch Resistance
Another important 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, you’ll find stringent conditions to be fulfilled to meet the optimal state of scratch resistance. The usage of a coating is therefore mandatory. Due to the fact PMMA is intrinsically UV and also weathering-resistant, a single-step coating is effective. As opposed, thermoplastics who have low resistance to weathering need a two-step coating system. This leads to relatively expensive for coating.
New design possibilities
PMMA glazing is Forty to fifty percent lighter than conventional glass, which piques a persons vision of automobile manufacturers. Together with the advantages being immediately obvious, PMMA is currently viewed as the correct fit for automotive glazing. Weight savings apart, the transparency of acrylic plastic with its quite high weathering resistance, pleasant acoustic properties, and exceptional form ability allow freedom enabling entirely new design possibilities.
Less stress birefringence
PMMA exhibits hardly any stress birefringence which serves as a major benefit over other thermoplastics for example polycarbonate, which has been primarily employed for glazing in the past. In contrast to traditional materials for example polycarbonate, moulded PMMA, comes with a distinct possibility of functional integration – reducing recess depth and assembly costs.
Environment-friendly
The modern goal from the automotive market is to produce clean low fuel consumption vehicles. In the awareness as well as the dependence on eco-friendly initiatives with the current economic scheme of things, PMMA serves as a perfect replacement for glass from the automotive glazing segment. As vehicle manufacturers push the boundaries of design, so too is automotive glazing evolving.
SUMIPEX® PMMA polymer offers characteristics that meet the latest challenges from the transportation sector. It’s a monumental challenge for auto makers that are looking for to adjust to recent environmental requirements and are contemplating alternatives that reduce greenhouse gas and save fuel. It is the perfect partner within this movement since it can make cars lighter.
As a leading manufacturer of SUMIPEX® PMMA polymer, Sumitomo Chemical is satisfied to help you understand its properties and exactly how it ideal to automotive glazing.
For more info about polymer resin go this popular site: look at here now