Polycarbonate had earned the tag because the most suitable material for usage 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 the most important used in a, namely, automotive glazing.

Long established for usage in a number of vehicle applications such as decorative trim, ambient lighting and door entry strips, automotive glazing is just one of those fields that offer the highest growth possibility of PMMA.
Related key top features of acrylic plastic which make it suitable for the whole process of automotive glazing are discussed below.
Light weight
To make a comparison with a erogenous level, PMMA is half the body weight plus much more transparent than glass, thereby providing crystal clear visibility even in the case of fluctuating and unstable temperatures. Because of its molecular structure, thermoformed polymethyl methacrylate are used almost just 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 of the weathers are met.
On top of Scratch Resistance
Another critical desire for glazing is scratch resistance. Standard PMMA already gets the highest surface hardness of all thermoplastics even if uncoated. However, for automotive glazing, you can find stringent conditions to get fulfilled to meet the ideal condition of scratch resistance. The application of a coating is thus mandatory. Since PMMA is intrinsically UV as well as weathering-resistant, a single-step coating is useful. In contrast, thermoplastics which may have low effectiveness against weathering demand a two-step coating system. This results in relatively high costs for coating.
New design possibilities
PMMA glazing is Forty to fifty percent lighter than conventional glass, which piques the interest of automobile manufacturers. With all the advantages being immediately obvious, PMMA is now known as the correct fit for automotive glazing. Weight savings apart, the transparency of acrylic plastic as well as its 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 and this operates as a major benefit over other thermoplastics such as polycarbonate, which has been primarily used for glazing before. In comparison with traditional materials such as polycarbonate, moulded PMMA, comes with a distinct potential for functional integration – reducing recess depth and assembly costs.
Environment-friendly
The new goal within the automotive companies are to formulate clean low fuel consumption vehicles. Given the awareness and also the requirement of eco-friendly initiatives in today’s scheme of things, PMMA operates as a perfect option to glass within 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 within the transportation sector. It’s a monumental challenge for auto makers looking to sit in recent environmental requirements and so are thinking about alternatives that reduce greenhouse gas and save fuel. It does not take perfect partner in this movement given it makes cars lighter.
As being a leading manufacturer of SUMIPEX® PMMA polymer, Sumitomo Chemical is pleased to work with you understand its properties and the way it best suited to automotive glazing.
More details about polymethyl methacrylate go our website: look at this now