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 important utilization in the, namely, automotive glazing.

Long established for usage in many different vehicle applications for example decorative trim, ambient lighting and door entry strips, automotive glazing is one kind of those fields that provide the highest growth possibility of PMMA.
Related key options that come with acrylic plastic which make it ideal for the operation of automotive glazing are discussed below.
Light weight
To create a comparison over a very basic level, PMMA is half the extra weight plus more transparent than glass, thereby providing crystal clear visibility even just in the situation of fluctuating and unstable temperatures. Owing to its molecular structure, thermoformed polymethyl methacrylate have become used almost only for car window glazing where every one 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 critical requirement of glazing is scratch resistance. Standard PMMA already has got the highest surface hardness of thermoplastics even when uncoated. However, for automotive glazing, there are stringent conditions being fulfilled to satisfy the ideal condition of scratch resistance. The effective use of a coating is therefore mandatory. Given that PMMA is intrinsically UV along with weathering-resistant, a single-step coating is effective. In comparison, thermoplastics which may have low resistance to weathering require 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 the interest of automobile manufacturers. Using the advantages being immediately obvious, PMMA has become considered the right 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 negative feelings birefringence
PMMA exhibits very little stress birefringence and this works as a major benefit over other thermoplastics for example polycarbonate, that has been primarily employed for glazing before. Weighed against traditional materials for example polycarbonate, moulded PMMA, offers a distinct potential for functional integration – reducing recess depth and assembly costs.
Environment-friendly
The modern goal within the automotive industry is to build up clean low fuel consumption vehicles. Given the awareness as well as the requirement of 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 that want to adjust to recent environmental requirements and so are thinking about alternatives that reduce greenhouse gas and save fuel. It’s the perfect partner with this movement given it helps make cars lighter.
As a leading manufacturer of SUMIPEX® PMMA polymer, Sumitomo Chemical is glad to help you in understanding its properties and the way it ideal to automotive glazing.
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