PMMA
- Updated:
- By: Kevin van Mierlo
Contents
What is PMMA?
Definition
PMMA is an abbreviation of the word Polymethylmethacrylate. This in turn came together from the words polymer and methyl methacrylate. It is a transparent plastic. The material is also called acrylate, oroglass, altoglass, perspex or plexiglass. Plexiglas will be more familiar to most. The material is used in many different ways as it brings several benefits. PMMA allows about 90 per cent of light to pass through. As a result, it is widely used as a replacement for glass. Unfortunately, there are also some minor drawbacks to the material.
Advantages
As mentioned earlier, PMMA offers several advantages, particularly when compared with the alternative, glass. The first advantage is that the material is simply much lighter. Another advantage is that it can easily be moulded into various shapes. This also ensures that the material is extremely versatile. Furthermore, the material bonds well. Finally, and perhaps most importantly, it transmits more light than ordinary glass. PMMA therefore provides a better beam pattern.
Disadvantages
Where a material has several advantages, there are always some minor disadvantages. Namely, the material is slightly less hard, making it slightly more sensitive to scratches compared to glass. In addition, it is also less heat-resistant. This does not matter when used in combination with LED lighting, as LED lighting does not lose energy to heat. Finally, PMMA is flammable.
PMMA at TRALERT®
You’ll often find PMMA within TRALERT®’s range of LED lighting. As it is a replacement for glass, you’ll find this material used in the lens of the light. This is the case across various categories of LED lighting. For example, in LED work lights, but also in some LED warning lights. A final example is LED rear lights. Some TRALERT® rear lights feature not only a PMMA lens but also an ABS housing.
At TRALERT®, PMMA lenses are continuously tested by the technical department. The lenses are compared with comparable products. The tests have shown that the lenses can withstand impacts and blows a lot better. Especially when compared to cheaper alternatives.
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Author
Kevin van Mierlo
Lighting expert at TRALERT® - Kevin tests lighting and finds out everything about legislation. He can tell you all about it.
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