Polycarbonate had earned the tag because the the best option material to use inside the automotive industry. However, recently, Polymethyl Methacrylate, the PMMA polymer or commonly known acrylic plastic, has efficiently risen for the growing demands of the automotive industry in replacing polycarbonate for the best important utilization in the industry, namely, automotive glazing.

Long established to use in a number of vehicle applications such as decorative trim, ambient lighting and door entry strips, automotive glazing is among those fields that provide the highest growth prospect of PMMA.
Related key options that come with acrylic plastic which render it ideal for the whole process of automotive glazing are discussed below.
Light-weight
To create a comparison over a erogenous level, PMMA is half the weight and more transparent than glass, thereby providing really clear visibility during the case of fluctuating and unstable temperatures. Because of its molecular structure, thermoformed acrylic glass are actually used almost only for car window glazing where each of the necessary requirements for light-weight materials which might be safe, easy to process and perform in all weathers are met.
On top of Scratch Resistance
Another significant dependence on glazing is scratch resistance. Standard PMMA already has got the highest surface hardness of most thermoplastics regardless if uncoated. However, for automotive glazing, there are stringent conditions to get fulfilled to fulfill the ideal state of scratch resistance. The effective use of a coating thus remains mandatory. Considering that PMMA is intrinsically UV along with weathering-resistant, a single-step coating is successful. As opposed, thermoplastics which 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 the interest of automobile manufacturers. Together with the advantages being immediately obvious, PMMA is currently known as the right 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 negative feelings birefringence
PMMA exhibits very little stress birefringence and also this serves as a major benefit over other thermoplastics such as polycarbonate, which was primarily used by glazing in the past. In contrast to traditional materials such as polycarbonate, moulded PMMA, supplies a distinct chance for functional integration – reducing recess depth and assembly costs.
Environment-friendly
The newest goal inside the automotive industry is to produce clean low fuel consumption vehicles. Because of the awareness as well as the requirement for eco-friendly initiatives with the current economic general scheme of things, PMMA serves as a perfect substitute for glass inside 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 inside the transportation sector. It’s a monumental challenge for car makers that want to sit in recent environmental requirements and therefore are thinking of alternatives that reduce greenhouse gas and save fuel. It’s the perfect partner on this movement given it helps make cars lighter.
As a leading manufacturer of SUMIPEX® PMMA polymer, Sumitomo Chemical is happy to assist you in understanding its properties and exactly how it best suited to automotive glazing.
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