PMMA (Acrylic)
Optical acrylic thermoplastic for lighting lenses and piano-black interior parts.
Overview
PMMA (polymethyl methacrylate, acrylic) is the optical thermoplastic for rear-lamp outer lenses, light guides and high-gloss piano-black interior bezels. It offers better scratch resistance and weatherability than uncoated polycarbonate, at lower impact toughness. Polycarbonate remains the usual headlamp outer lens; this page is acrylic, not PC and not the Acrylic Adhesives structural-bond page. Automotive PMMA is specified for optics and decorative gloss, not for bonding. Typical processing is injection moulding or extrusion of sheet and profiles. Hard coats are used on exposed lenses. It is a recyclable thermoplastic.
Automotive Applications
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Properties
Category
Type
Acrylic / PMMA
Available Forms
Key Properties
- Optical clarity
- Better scratch resistance than uncoated PC
- Weatherable exterior lenses
- Distinct from Polycarbonate
- Distinct from Acrylic Adhesives
- Injection-mouldable