LEARN MORE ABOUT ACETAL

Acrylic

Acrylic, also known as Plexiglass, is a versatile plastic material with a variety of purposes and benefits, available in a spectrum of colors and opacities. Acrylic plastic was first produced in 1928 and brought to the market by Rohm and Haas Company around 1933. It was initially used during World War II for products such as airplane windows, canopies, and turrets.

Strength/Durability

Acrylic is an extremely durable material that is a much stronger alternative than glass because of its resistance to high pressure and impact. As well as its incredible resistance to weather and temperature, thus making acrylic an extremely long-lasting material that won’t shatter.

Common Uses

  • Lighting panels
  • Signs
  • Security barriers
  • Medical devices
  • LCD screens
  • Furniture
  • Windows
  • Aquarium tanks

Maintenance

Acrylic is simple to clean and polish using a clean cloth and cleaning compounds. It is possible to remove light scratches from acrylic with special abrasive compounds.

Acrylic Properties

PropertyAcrylic
Tensile Strength (psi)10,000 psi
Flexural Modulus of Elasticity (psi)480,000 psi
Izod Impact (ft-lbs/in)0.4 ft-lbs/in
Heat Deflection Temperature (°F)- / 195 °F
Water Absorption (%)0.20 %
Light Transmittance (%)92 %
Haze (%)2 %
PropertyAcrylic
Specific Gravity1.19
Water Absorption (%)0.20 %
Tensile Strength (psi)10,000 psi
Tensile Modulus of Elasticity (psi)400,000 psi
Tensile Elongation (%)4.5 %
Flexural Strength (psi)17,000 psi
Flexural Modulus of Elasticity (psi)480,000 psi
Compressive Strength (psi)17,000 psi
Hardness (Rockwell M&R, Shore D)M95, Shore D 83
Izod Impact (ft-lbs/in)0.4 ft-lbs/in
PropertyAcrylic
Coefficient of Linear Thermal Expansion (in/in/°F x 10-5)4.0 in/in/°F x 10-5
Heat Deflection Temperature (°F)- / 195 °F
Max Continuous Service Temperature (°F)160 °F
Dielectric Strength (V/mil)430 V/mil

Light Transmission

A choice of three.

Light transmission is the technical term for transparency to light. Acrylic has a 92 percent light transmittance rate — one of the highest light transmission rates possible.

Opaque

0% Light Transmission

Translucent

30%-50% Light Transmission

Transparent

92% Light Transmission

ACRYLITE® LED Rod

Light it your way.

ACRYLITE® LED rod is ideal for transmitting high-powered LED light. Its unique light-conducting properties distribute light evenly throughout the entire rod surface. As light enters from the end, embedded colorless diffuser particles scatter the light forward and exit the surface at low angles. This results in uniform bright illumination. ACRYLITE® LED light-guiding rods are the only product on the market today offering light transmission in a round rod form.

Light Transmission

Allows
91%
of light through

Common Uses

Acrylic Colors

A beautiful array of colors.

Fluorescent Acrylic

Make the edge shine.

Fluorescent acrylic is clear when lit from the side, diffuses and allows a uniform illumination of its edges and laser engravings. Fluorescent acrylic offers all the impact strength and weather resistance of cast acrylic.

Mirror Acrylic

Cheaper than glass.

What is mirror acrylic?

Mirror acrylic is a lightweight, reflective thermoplastic sheet material used to enhance the look and safety of displays, POP displays, signage, and a variety of fabricated parts. Mirror acrylic is ideal for retail, food, advertising, and security applications.

Acrylic over glass?

Mirror acrylic is 17 times stronger than glass, meaning they can withstand and survive greater impacts, such as bangs, collisions, or crashes well. Its strength makes mirror acrylic ideal for use where safety is a priority or where glass may crack or shatter.

Is mirror acrylic see-through?

Two-way see-through mirror acrylic allows a percentage of light to pass through, while reflecting the remainder. This allows for one side to be see-through whilst the other appears as a mirror.

Frosted Acrylic

Obscure the view.

Frosted acrylic sheets are a specialty sheet that is manufactured to resemble “frost” on a typical clear acrylic sheet. Typically referred to as a “heavy matte” appearance, this acrylic sheet is a standard choice for design applications requiring privacy or design effects with lighting.

Similar to frosted glass, frosted acrylic is not completely see-through but does allow a certain amount of translucency. This translucency can be likened to a “blurred” effect on the acrylic.

Non-Glare Acrylic

Crystal clear.

Non-glare plexiglass (P-99) is designed to minimize glare and reflection as well as maximize the unhindered viewing of framed artwork and prints, making it an excellent solution for art galleries, museums, studios, and more.

What is non-glare acrylic?

Non-glare acrylic is designed to reduce or eliminate the glare of bright, reflective light.

Standard Acrylic Sheet

Non-Glare Acrylic Sheet

UV Filtering Acrylic

Display and protect.

ACRYLITE® UV filtering (OP-3) is a continuously manufactured acrylic sheet which filters out 98 percent of damaging UV rays, protecting paper artwork, prints, and documents from fading, yellowing, and cracking.

Acrylic is inherently UV resistant with as little as 3% degradation outdoors over a 10-year period.

Old paintings such as watercolors must be placed away from direct sunlight if they do not have UV protection.

Acrylic Tubes

Crystal clear.

Acrylic tubes are made of polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), which is a broad range use thermoplastic. This is the material to choose if you need excellent optical clarity (signage), and would like to fabricate by adding glue, polish, or thermoforming.

Common Uses

  • Toys
  • Surgical devices
  • Museum displays
  • Product design
  • Laboratory equipment
  • Home furnishings
  • Lighting
  • Food and beverage manufacturing
  • Utility

An 1/8″ thick piece of acrylic is 2 to 3 times more impact resistant than double strength window glass, and 4 to 5 times more impact resistant than wire glass or other glasses. A 1/4″ thick piece of acrylic is 9 to 10 times more impact resistant than wire or other glasses.

Acrylic Rods

Built tough.

Acrylic rods have great impact strength while also being lightweight. Acrylic, also known as plexiglass, can be used in a number of applications such as signage, displays, model making, aquarium tanks, arts & crafts, and much more. Acrylic (plexiglass) can be sawed, drilled, painted, and decorated

Flexibility

Acrylic, also known as plexiglass, is a tough and transparent plastic product that serves as an ideal alternative to standard glass. Acrylic rod is ten times stronger than standard glass yet half the weight.

Strength

Acrylic, also known as plexiglass, is a tough and transparent plastic product that serves as an ideal alternative to standard glass. Acrylic rod is ten times stronger than standard glass yet half the weight.

Pick your shape

The right piece for the right job.