PLEXIGLAS® MOLDING COMPOUNDS FOR HOUSEHOLD APPLIANCES AND WHITE GOODS

Household appliances and white goods are far more than just useful aids that work away in the background. Standards of function and aesthetics are rising all the time, particularly as kitchens are increasingly used as additional living areas. PLEXIGLAS® molding compounds enhance all types of household appliances.

BENEFITS OF PLEXIGLAS® MOLDING COMPOUNDS FOR HOUSEHOLD APPLICATIONS

PLEXIGLAS® molding compounds combine attractive design with smart functions. Manufacturers can enhance small appliances and white goods with high-gloss surfaces, use lighting to highlight elements, integrate invisible displays seamlessly into the housing using a black panel effect, and much more. Polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) molding compounds from Röhm boast myriad properties that make them perfect for this field:

High brilliance and transparency (92% light transmittance)
Outstanding UV and weather resistance
Highest surface hardness of all thermoplastic
High abrasion resistance
Absolute colorlessness, for precise and virtually unlimited coloring options
High-gloss surface (Class A)
Good chemical resistance
Suitable for food contact
Can be processed with all common thermoplastic processes
100% recyclable

USE OF PLEXIGLAS® MOLDING COMPOUNDS IN HOUSEHOLD APPLIANCES

Control Elements & Icons

Buttons, including illuminated
Switches
Backlit icons

Displays

Black panel displays
Display covers, including in combination with touch function

Housings and Furniture Edges

Housing parts
Decorative frames
Edge profiles

Surfaces

Matte
Glossy
Illuminated
Decorated

PLEXIGLAS® molding compounds inspire effective light design

PMMA is a proven material for lighting applications thanks to its unique transparency and light-guiding properties. In household appliances, for example, it can be used to illuminate operating elements like buttons or keys, or to backlight symbols, logos or decorative areas in color. Combining mechanical and optical functions in one component reduces costs and adds value to the design.

PLEXIGLAS® molding compounds make displays with black panel effect possible

PLEXIGLAS® molding compounds are also available in neutral gray colorings especially for displays with a black panel effect. These allow displays – including those with a touch function – to be hidden behind high-gloss black covers or integrated into the housing. Only when the device is on does the component turn into a colorfast display. Offering maximum transparency, crystal-clear PMMA molding compounds are ideal for creating vibrant display covers that show information clearly and without any distortion.

PLEXIGLAS® molding compounds enhance plastic surfaces

Various versions of PLEXIGLAS® are available for a surface enhancement of household appliances made from other plastics. The choice depends on the look and feel required, from high gloss to velvety matte. As a thermoplastic, polymethyl methacrylate is ideal for co-extrusion and 2K injection molding; a crystal-clear top layer of PMMA can be added on top of other materials to create a fascinating 3D look with a special depth effect. Initially completely colorless, the material can be colored at will in order to produce colored housings.

PLEXIGLAS® supports durable and sustainable product design

PLEXIGLAS® is sustainable by design. After all, PMMA is a very durable plastic that retains its high-quality appearance permanently, without yellowing or becoming brittle. The material is also robust, easy to maintain and resistant to many cleaning agents, and does not discolor upon contact with food. In addition, PLEXIGLAS® is 100% recyclable.

SUITABLE PLEXIGLAS® MOLDING COMPOUNDS FOR HOUSEHOLD APPLICATIONS

PLEXIGLAS® basic grades

Depending on the type, our basic PMMA molding compounds have different physical properties such as flow capability and heat deflection temperature under load. They can be processed using all common thermoplastic processing methods.

PLEXIGLAS® basic grades

PLEXIGLAS® Softlight

PMMA molding compounds with different diffuser effects for uniform, glare-free light scattering. They provide fascinating lighting effects from backlit covers to ambient lighting. AMECA listed for automotive lighting.

PLEXIGLAS® Softlight information and data sheets

PLEXIGLAS® Edgelight

PMMA molding compounds optimized for edge lighting – even over longer distances. Uniform light extraction over the entire part surface without additional scattering foils or microstructures. Components made of PLEXIGLAS® Edgelight are crystal clear and transparent when the light is switched off. AMECA listed for automotive lighting.

PLEXIGLAS® Edgelight information and data sheets

PLEXIGLAS® Hi-Gloss

Opaque colored PMMA molding compounds for injection-molding of components with high-gloss, Class A surfaces. Amongst others available in a special black color for piano black applications.

PLEXIGLAS® Hi-Gloss information and data sheets

PLEXIGLAS® Resist

Impact-modified PMMA molding compounds for applications that combine the benefits of PMMA with improved stress crack resistance. Suitable for extrusion, co-extrusion and injection molding.

PLEXIGLAS® Resist

PLEXIGLAS® proTerra

PLEXIGLAS® molding compounds with lower carbon footprint and the proven high performance of Röhm’s brand PMMA.

PLEXIGLAS® proTerra

Sample box:
Light-scattering PLEXIGLAS® molding compounds

Sample box:
PLEXIGLAS® in neutral gray coloring for a black panel effect

Want to learn more about PLEXIGLAS® molding compounds for household applications?

Downloads

Presentation: Inspirations for Household Appliances
(6.1 MiB, pdf)

CASE STUDIES: INSPIRATION FOR HOUSEHOLD APPLIANCES AND WHITE GOODS

PLEXIGLAS® molding compounds transform household appliances into design objects, for example through surface enhancement, light design or hidden displays with a black panel effect. Find out more in our case studies.