Polycarbonate had earned the tag since the the best option material to be used from the automotive industry. However, recently, Polymethyl Methacrylate, the PMMA polymer or commonly known acrylic plastic, has efficiently risen towards the growing demands in the automotive industry in replacing polycarbonate for the best important use within a, namely, automotive glazing.

Long established to be used in a variety of vehicle applications like decorative trim, ambient lighting and door entry strips, automotive glazing is among those fields that provide the very best growth possibility of PMMA.
Related key top features of acrylic plastic which make it perfect for the whole process of automotive glazing are discussed below.
Transportable
To produce a comparison on the simple level, PMMA is half the extra weight and more transparent than glass, thereby providing really clear visibility during the truth of fluctuating and unstable temperatures. Because of its molecular structure, thermoformed acrylic sheet have become used almost only for car window glazing where all the necessary requirements for light-weight materials that are safe, very easy to process and perform in all of the weathers are met.
On top of Scratch Resistance
Another essential requirement of glazing is scratch resistance. Standard PMMA already contains the highest surface hardness of all thermoplastics regardless if uncoated. However, for automotive glazing, there are stringent conditions being fulfilled to satisfy the perfect condition of scratch resistance. The usage of a coating is therefore mandatory. Considering that PMMA is intrinsically UV along with weathering-resistant, a single-step coating works well. On the other hand, thermoplastics that have low resistance to weathering require a two-step coating system. This leads to relatively high costs for coating.
New design possibilities
PMMA glazing is 40 to 50 percent lighter than conventional glass, which piques the eye of automobile manufacturers. With all the advantages being immediately obvious, PMMA has become considered the best fit for automotive glazing. Weight savings apart, the transparency of acrylic plastic along with its high weathering resistance, pleasant acoustic properties, and exceptional form ability allow freedom enabling entirely new design possibilities.
Less anxiety birefringence
PMMA exhibits almost no stress birefringence which operates as a major benefit over other thermoplastics like polycarbonate, that has been primarily employed for glazing previously. Compared with traditional materials like polycarbonate, moulded PMMA, supplies a distinct chance of functional integration – reducing recess depth and assembly costs.
Environment-friendly
The newest goal from the automotive industry is to formulate clean low fuel consumption vehicles. Because of the awareness along with the dependence on eco-friendly initiatives in the present scheme of things, PMMA operates as a perfect alternative to 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 car makers that are looking for to adjust to recent environmental requirements and so are considering alternatives that reduce greenhouse gas and save fuel. It does not take perfect partner in this movement as it helps make cars lighter.
Being a leading manufacturer of SUMIPEX® PMMA polymer, Sumitomo Chemical is satisfied to help you out understand its properties and how it suitable to automotive glazing.
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