PLEXIGLAS® MOLDING COMPOUNDS FOR VEHICLE EXTERIOR LIGHTING
PLEXIGLAS® is the ideal material for vehicle lighting applications, as the signal effect and spectacular light design depend not only on the light source, but also on light guides, lenses and color-stable light covers. Automotive manufacturers value the brand polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) from Röhm for its outstanding optical and aesthetic properties, moldability and resistance to UV and weathering.
BENEFITS OF PLEXIGLAS® MOLDING COMPOUNDS FOR VEHICLE LIGHTING
Light plays a key role in modern automotive design: Unmistakable signature lights on the front and rear of the vehicle provide an emotional representation of brands and models. The portfolio of PLEXIGLAS® molding compounds offers the right material for every trend – from large taillights formed like sculptures and coast-to-coast taillights that stretch across the entire width of the vehicle rear, to long light guides at the front and rear. The brand PMMA from Röhm gets light into shape. It offers outstanding optical properties while also retaining its shape, color and UV and weather resistance for many years.
AMECA-compliant signal colors
Because PMMA is initially completely colorless, it can be colored accurately in all standardized signal colors.
Röhm offers a variety of special colors. These include further colors for signal applications and lighting engineering, as well as variants with a good covering power for coextrusion. More information on the availability of special colors can be provided on request.
The colorings listed by the Automotive Manufacturers Equipment Compliance Agency (AMECA) are available for signal equipment in vehicles. These meet the requirements of SAE J576.
AMECA list and plastic specifications
PLEXIGLAS® molding compounds offer these properties in vehicle lighting
- High brilliance and transparency (92 percent light transmittance)
- Outstanding UV and weather resistance
- Absolute colorlessness, for precise and virtually unlimited coloring options
- Highest surface hardness of all thermoplastics
- Good heat deflection temperature
- Can be processed with all thermoplastic procedures
- 100 percent recyclable
APPLICATIONS OF PLEXIGLAS® MOLDING COMPOUNDS FOR VEHICLE EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Light covers
- Taillights
- Turn signals
- Exterior mirror turn signals
- Brake lights
- Center high-mounted stop lamps (CHMSL)
Light guides
- Taillights
- Turn signals
- Front lighting (daytime running light)
- Decorative light strips
Lenses
- Headlight lenses
- Reflector lenses for bumpers
PLEXIGLAS® molding compounds for permanently UV and weather-resistant light covers
The specific combination of properties that PLEXIGLAS® offers makes it a sought-after material for light covers in automotive construction. The brand PMMA boasts outstanding light-related properties such as maximum transparency and light-guiding properties, while also being permanently resistant to UV and weathering. This means that clear PLEXIGLAS® components for taillights, light guides or turn signals retain their optical clarity and brilliance throughout the entire lifespan of the vehicle – without turning yellow or becoming brittle. Moreover, covers in signal colors remain color-stable in the long term.
PLEXIGLAS® molding compounds make it easier to manufacture complex shapes
Thanks to their flow properties and heat deflection temperature, PLEXIGLAS® molding compounds are also very well suited for injection molding components with very large dimensions or complex shapes. What is more, taillight covers made from PLEXIGLAS® can be joined to other components precisely and without any obtrusive welding seams using the innovative laser welding process.
PLEXIGLAS® molding compounds offer great design freedom for taillights
Thanks to its very good processability and the advancements in LED lighting technology, this product opens up almost infinite options for both exterior and lighting design in automotive construction. PLEXIGLAS® molding compounds are a highly sought-after material for extraordinary light designs, such as taillights with three-dimensional gradation or taillights extending across the entire vehicle width (“coast-to-coast”), thereby enhancing the signal effect and thus safety, as well as enhancing brand recognition.
PLEXIGLAS® molding compounds for long light guides
Because PLEXIGLAS® has especially good light-guiding properties, it is suitable for light guides that either take on the function of the daytime running light or that serve as purely decorative elements, and are increasingly replacing chrome trim strips. Röhm has developed the special molding compound PLEXIGLAS® Optical HT specifically to meet market demand for long light guides and optical materials that withstand heat exposure from high-performance LEDs. The truly special feature is the combination of two properties in a single product: high optical quality and an increased heat deflection temperature for long-term service temperatures.
PLEXIGLAS® molding compounds for front lighting
Various PMMA molding compounds from the PLEXIGLAS® Heatresist product family are available for lighting applications that demand an increased heat deflection temperature and light efficiency, such as headlight lenses and light guides on the front of the vehicle. For even higher thermal loads, Röhm’s portfolio includes PLEXIMID® molding compounds – a polymethyl methacrylimide (PMMI) with a very high heat deflection temperature and extremely stable optical values even after extensive exposure to heat.
PLEXIGLAS® molding compounds for robust transparent components on the vehicle front
Röhm has tailored the properties of the PLEXIGLAS® Resist AG 100 molding compound to optical components on the vehicle front that are exposed to stirred-up dirt and loose chippings. This exceptionally impact-resistant molding compound offers stress crack resistance and an increased heat deflection temperature, while maintaining excellent optical properties.
PLEXIGLAS® MOLDING COMPOUNDS FOR VEHICLE EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Want to learn more about PLEXIGLAS® molding compounds for automotive and transport applications?
CASE STUDIES: PLEXIGLAS® FOR VEHICLE LIGHTING (EXTERIOR)
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PLEXIGLAS® molding compounds ensure the taillights of the DS 4 shine like diamonds which last forever
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MINI 60 Years Edition: Union Jack taillights shine brightly thanks to PLEXIGLAS® molding compounds
To celebrate the 60th birthday of the MINI, the most quintessentially British of all cars has received a unique detail: LED taillights with a Union Jack motif.
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The curved HELLA taillights dominate the sporty yet elegant design of Opel's Crossland X. Responsible for the intense, evenly distributed red light is a customized PLEXIGLAS® molding compound from Röhm.
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Seeing and being seen: optical Elements for LED headlamps made of PLEXIGLAS® and PLEXIMID® molding compounds
Materials used as optical elements in car headlamps must satisfy stringent requirements—as in the case of the three PLEXIGLAS® and PLEXIMID® molding compounds in the LED Intelligent Light System from Automotive Lighting, which Mercedes-Benz is installing in its C-Class.
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