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ACRYLIC

MATERIAL OVERVIEW

Acrylic plastics (polymethyl methacrylate), a renowned plastic type globally, are notable for their versatility, durability and cost-effectiveness. This is why acrylic poly is often used as a glass substitute. They have a wide range of applications in various significant industries, such as medicine, engineering, retail and many more.


Chemical Name: Polymethyl Methacrylate

Common/Trade Names: Perspex®

Abbreviation: PMMA

Properties (Colour): Clear, opaque as well as a range of colours and tints

Machining: Due to acrylics brittle nature care has to be taken in order to achieve fine finishes without chipping.

Types: Extruded and Cast (preferred when machining and polishing).

Chemical Resistance: Unaffected by aqueous solutions of most laboratory chemicals, by detergents, cleaners, dilute inorganic acids, alkalies, and aliphatic hydrocarbons. However, acrylics are NOT recommended for use with chlorinated or aromatic hydrocarbons, esters, or ketones.

KEY INFORMATION

    • Material clarity

    • Lighter and stronger than glass

    • Can be bent and formed

    • Great for displays

    • UV resistant

    • Exceptionally long-life span

    • Optically clear

    • Good scratch resistance

    • Machine Parts, Covers & Guards

    • Framing / Model making

    • Shop fitting / Shelving

    • Manifolds

    • Signage

    • Parts for the medical industry

    • Document Covers

    • Architectural Applications

    • Glazing

    • Sight Glasses

    • Point of Purchase / Retail / Exhibition displays

    • Light Fittings/Roof Lighting

    • Components

    • Rod

    • Sheet

    • Tube

    • Block

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KEY BENEFITS OF ACRYLIC

Features

Among the unique features of acrylic plastics are the following:

  • Light transmittance of 92%, making it crystal clear.

  • 30 times stronger than glass and more lightweight.

Common Names for Acrylic Sheets

The chemical name for acrylic is polymethylmethacrylate, or PMMA for short. Manufacturers call it Plexiglass or Perspex. It’s also known as acrylic sheet, acrylic plastics, acrylic plastics and acrylic glass. It also comes in various product names of our competitors, such as Versato, Deglas, Perspex, Paraglas and many more.

Wide Range of Acrylic Plastics Applications

Acrylic plastics have various applications in different sectors due to their workability and versatility. These include but are not limited to the following applications:

  • Machine Parts, Covers & Guards—Suitable for 3D printer casings, pet enclosures

  • Framing / Model making—Used as moulds for epoxy resin and as image protectors

  • Shop fitting / Shelving—Used as furniture shelves

  • Manifolds—For efficient integrated circuitry, valving and tubing

  • Signage—Acrylic stands for the protection of signage

  • Parts for the medical industry—Used in incubator enclosures, syringes, cuvettes, and more

  • Document Covers—For office use as paper holders and other office materials

  • Architectural Applications—Used as architectural decorative screens and wall panels

  • Glazing—Used in canopies and walkways for clarity and durability; paint glazing

  • Sight Glasses—Used in tank trucks and tank flanges for fuel-grade viewing

  • Point of Purchase / Retail / Exhibition displays—Used as cases for various retail and product displays

  • Light Fittings/Roof Lighting—Natural lighting using acrylic roofing and light diffusion

Acrylic Plastic Types

PMMA Melbourne has two main types available in the market: GS acrylic or cast and XT acrylic or extruded. Their main difference lies in the production process. When liquid acrylic flows out of the reactor, there are two ways to let the plastic set, creating the two main types of acrylic.

For cast types, the liquid acrylic is poured into a flat sheet and is allowed to be set. The sheet is run and rolled thinner for extruded styles to create a relatively large sheet surface. Cast acrylic plastics use more raw material than extruded acrylic plastics; hence it is known as a ‘budget acrylic sheet’.

These two acrylic plastic sheets have the following variations:

  • Clear acrylic plastics

  • White opal acrylics

  • Tinted acrylic plastics

  • Coloured acrylic plastics

  • Matte acrylic plastic

  • Fluorescent acrylic plastics

  • Acrylic mirror plastics

  • Black/white acrylic plastics

  • Cheap acrylic plastics

Acrylic Processing Do’s and Don’ts

There are various post-processing options for acrylic plastics to create different products and applications. Post-processing depends on the acrylic type since they have different internal stress values. Extruded type can withstand higher internal stress than the cast type.

Here are some processing do’s and don’ts for acrylic plastics:

Processing Do’s

  • Sawing (Circular/Jigsaw)

  • Turning

  • Cutting

  • Lettering

  • Polishing

  • Painting

  • Bending (Warm)

  • Milling

  • Engraving

  • Glueing

  • Lasering

  • Drilling

Processing Don’ts

  • Bending (Cold)

  • Water Cutting

  • Welding

  • Coating

 

 
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