5 Logic behind why Acrylic Plastic Can be used For Automotive Glazing

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Polycarbonate had earned the tag because the most suitable material for usage from the automotive industry. However, these days, 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 most important use in the industry, namely, automotive glazing.


Long established for usage in many different vehicle applications like decorative trim, ambient lighting and door entry strips, automotive glazing is among those fields offering the highest growth potential for PMMA.
Related key options that come with acrylic plastic making it suitable for the entire process of automotive glazing are discussed below.
Lightweight
To generate a comparison on the erogenous level, PMMA is half the body weight plus more transparent than glass, thereby providing really clear visibility even in the case of fluctuating and unstable temperatures. As a result of its molecular structure, thermoformed polymer resin are used almost mainly for car window glazing where all of the necessary requirements for light-weight materials which are safe, very easy to process and perform in most weathers are met.
At the top of Scratch Resistance
Another essential dependence on glazing is scratch resistance. Standard PMMA already has the highest surface hardness coming from all thermoplastics even though uncoated. However, for automotive glazing, you can find stringent conditions to get fulfilled to fulfill the ideal state of scratch resistance. The usage of a coating thus remains mandatory. Due to the fact PMMA is intrinsically UV as well as weathering-resistant, a single-step coating is useful. On the other hand, thermoplastics who have low potential to deal with weathering have to have a two-step coating system. This results in 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. Together with the advantages being immediately obvious, PMMA is now known as the proper fit for automotive glazing. Weight savings apart, the transparency of acrylic plastic in addition to its extremely high weathering resistance, pleasant acoustic properties, and exceptional form ability allow freedom enabling entirely new design possibilities.
Less stress birefringence
PMMA exhibits little or no stress birefringence which serves as a major benefit over other thermoplastics like polycarbonate, which has been primarily useful for glazing before. Compared with traditional materials like polycarbonate, moulded PMMA, comes with a distinct chance for functional integration – reducing recess depth and assembly costs.
Environment-friendly
The new goal from the automotive marketplace is to formulate clean low fuel consumption vehicles. Because of the awareness and the requirement for eco-friendly initiatives in the present general scheme of things, PMMA serves as a perfect substitute 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 match 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 therefore are considering alternatives that reduce greenhouse gas and save fuel. Oahu is the perfect partner in this movement as it can make cars lighter.
As a leading manufacturer of SUMIPEX® PMMA polymer, Sumitomo Chemical is happy to help you out in understanding its properties and just how it suitable to automotive glazing.
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