5 Explanations why Acrylic Plastic Is Used For Automotive Glazing

Posted on by

Polycarbonate had earned the tag because the most suitable material for use within the automotive industry. However, in recent years, Polymethyl Methacrylate, the PMMA polymer or commonly known acrylic plastic, has efficiently risen on the growing demands in the automotive industry in replacing polycarbonate for important use in the, namely, automotive glazing.


Long established for use in several vehicle applications like decorative trim, ambient lighting and door entry strips, automotive glazing is one kind of those fields that supply the highest growth potential for PMMA.
Related key features of acrylic plastic that make it perfect for the whole process of automotive glazing are discussed below.
Light weight
To generate a comparison on a simple level, PMMA is half the weight plus much more transparent than glass, thereby providing crystal clear visibility even during the situation of fluctuating and unstable temperatures. Owing to its molecular structure, thermoformed methyl methacrylate resin have become used almost exclusively for car window glazing where each of the necessary requirements for light-weight materials that are safe, simple to process and perform in all of the 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 in order to meet the optimal state of scratch resistance. The usage of a coating is therefore mandatory. Considering that PMMA is intrinsically UV as well as weathering-resistant, a single-step coating is useful. In contrast, thermoplastics that have low resistance to weathering demand a two-step coating system. This brings about relatively high costs for coating.
New design possibilities
PMMA glazing is Forty to fifty percent lighter than conventional glass, which piques a person’s eye of automobile manufacturers. With all the advantages being immediately obvious, PMMA has become considered the correct fit for automotive glazing. Weight savings apart, the transparency of acrylic plastic as well as its extremely high weathering resistance, pleasant acoustic properties, and exceptional form ability allow freedom enabling entirely new design possibilities.
Less stress birefringence
PMMA exhibits very little stress birefringence this also works as a major benefit over other thermoplastics like polycarbonate, that was primarily employed for glazing before. In contrast to traditional materials like polycarbonate, moulded PMMA, offers a distinct chance of functional integration – reducing recess depth and assembly costs.
Environment-friendly
The new goal within the automotive industry is to formulate clean low fuel consumption vehicles. Given the awareness as well as the dependence on eco-friendly initiatives with the current economic general scheme of things, PMMA works as a perfect replacement for glass within the automotive glazing segment. As vehicle manufacturers push the boundaries of design, also is automotive glazing evolving.
SUMIPEX® PMMA polymer offers characteristics that fulfill the latest challenges within the transportation sector. It’s a monumental challenge for auto makers looking to adjust to recent environmental requirements and so are thinking of alternatives that reduce greenhouse gas and save fuel. It’s the perfect partner within this movement since it can make cars lighter.
Being a leading manufacturer of SUMIPEX® PMMA polymer, Sumitomo Chemical is happy to help you out understand its properties and how it most suitable to automotive glazing.
More info about methyl methacrylate resin go to see our resource: web link