Polycarbonate had earned the tag as the most suitable material for use inside 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 best important used in the, namely, automotive glazing.

Long established for use in a number of vehicle applications like decorative trim, ambient lighting and door entry strips, automotive glazing is just one of those fields that supply the greatest growth risk of PMMA.
Related key top features of acrylic plastic making it ideal for the whole process of automotive glazing are discussed below.
Transportable
To create a comparison over a erogenous level, PMMA is half the body weight plus more transparent than glass, thereby providing really clear visibility even just in the truth of fluctuating and unstable temperatures. Because of its molecular structure, thermoformed methyl methacrylate resin are now used almost just for car window glazing where all the necessary requirements for light-weight materials which are safe, easy to process and perform in most weathers are met.
High on Scratch Resistance
Another essential requirement for glazing is scratch resistance. Standard PMMA already has the highest surface hardness of thermoplastics even if uncoated. However, for automotive glazing, you can find stringent conditions to be fulfilled to meet the optimal condition of scratch resistance. The usage of a coating is therefore mandatory. Since PMMA is intrinsically UV in addition to weathering-resistant, a single-step coating works well. In contrast, thermoplastics who have low capacity 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 the eye of automobile manufacturers. With the advantages being immediately obvious, PMMA is now considered the best fit for automotive glazing. Weight savings apart, the transparency of acrylic plastic with its very high weathering resistance, pleasant acoustic properties, and exceptional form ability allow freedom enabling entirely new design possibilities.
Less negative feelings birefringence
PMMA exhibits hardly any stress birefringence this also serves as a major benefit over other thermoplastics like polycarbonate, which was primarily used by glazing before. Weighed against traditional materials like polycarbonate, moulded PMMA, comes with a distinct possibility of functional integration – reducing recess depth and assembly costs.
Environment-friendly
The new goal inside the automotive marketplace is to build up clean low fuel consumption vehicles. Due to the awareness as well as the dependence on eco-friendly initiatives in the current scheme of things, PMMA serves as a perfect substitute for glass inside the automotive glazing segment. As vehicle manufacturers push the boundaries 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 auto makers that want to adjust to recent environmental requirements and are considering alternatives that reduce greenhouse gas and save fuel. It does not take perfect partner with this movement since it makes cars lighter.
As a leading manufacturer of SUMIPEX® PMMA polymer, Sumitomo Chemical is satisfied to assist you in understanding its properties and the way it best suited to automotive glazing.
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