Acrylic plastic, also known as plexiglass, is a useful, clear material that resembles glass, but offers better transparency and weighs 50% less than glass of equal thickness. Acrylic is known as one of the clearest materials, offering a transparency rate of 93% and can be used in a wide variety of applications. Shop from our extruded and cast options below. Custom sizing available.
What is Acrylic Plastic?
Acrylic, first discovered in 1893 by Charles Moureau, gained commercial traction in 1933 with Otto Rohm’s “Plexiglas.” Known variably as PMMA, Plexiglass, Lucite, or Acrylite, this clear, lightweight polymer forms through a reaction between a monomer and a catalyst.
Compared to window glass, acrylic is up to 50% lighter and offers superior light transmission and heat insulation. Though more scratch-prone, its surface blemishes can be polished away, unlike glass which requires replacement.
Affordable and versatile, acrylic can be cast or extruded into numerous shapes, making it ideal for a variety of applications through techniques like cold-forming and vacuum forming.
Acrylic is used in windows, signs, decorative materials, picture frames, and crafts. DoonX Plastics offers a wide range of colors for all your Plexiglass needs.
What are the Characteristics of Acrylic Plastic?
Acrylic, a versatile synthetic polymer, stands out for its unique combination of features that make it a preferred choice for designers, engineers, and artists alike. Its key characteristics include:
- Optical Clarity: Acrylic boasts exceptional clarity, transmitting up to 92% of visible light, outperforming glass and ensuring vivid colors and sharpness in applications requiring visual precision.
- Lightweight: With half the weight of glass, acrylic eases handling and installation, particularly beneficial for large or elevated applications such as skylights or windows.
- Impact Resistance: Acrylic’s resilience is significantly higher than that of glass, resisting impacts and less prone to shattering, making it safe for high-risk areas and applications.
- UV Resistance: Certain grades of acrylic are treated to resist UV radiation, preventing discoloration and maintaining material integrity over time, ideal for outdoor use.
- Thermal Insulation: Acrylic sheets provide better thermal insulation compared to glass, contributing to energy efficiency in buildings and constructions.
- Machinability: Its adaptability to various fabrication methods, including cutting, drilling, and shaping, without losing structural integrity, allows for creative and complex designs.
- Chemical Resistance: It stands up well against common household chemicals, though certain solvents and cleaners can damage the surface if not chosen carefully.
- Customization: The ability to infuse acrylic with dyes results in a broad spectrum of colors and finishes, catering to specific aesthetic preferences and design requirements.
Acrylic’s distinct properties not only extend its usability across multiple industries but also open up innovative avenues for application, from architectural elements to protective barriers, showcasing its role as a dynamic and adaptable material.
Acrylic Materials & Forms
Acrylic comes in a wide variety of forms. At DoonX Plastics, we carry the following:
- Extruded Acrylic Sheets – Extruded acrylic is a less expensive form of PMMA. It is highly impact and UV resistant. Custom sizing available.
- Cast Acrylic Sheets – Cast acrylic sheets are more labor intensive to create, making it a more expensive alternative to its extruded acrylic counterpart. It also has a greater range of thickness and outstanding resistance to outside elements, including sunlight and weather. Custom sizing available.
- Frame Grade Acrylic Sheets – Our frame grade acrylic sheets are inspected for quality to ensure high optical clarity for the picture framing industry. Custom sizing available.
- Acrylic Rods – Our acrylic rods do not bend easily and will not shrink, making them a great alternative to other materials. A wide range of sizes are available for purchase.
- Acrylic Tubes – Our acrylic tubes are durable and strong. Browse our wide range of diameters and sizes.
What is Acrylic Plastic Made of?
Many plastics, including acrylic plastic, use methyl methacrylate as their base molecule. This molecule has a double carbon bond, one of which is broken during polymerization. This allows the molecule to bond with another molecule to create a chain. This process continues until the polymer is created. Monomers such as methyl acrylate and acrylonitrile can also be combined with methyl methacrylate to produce different forms of PMMA.
What is the Difference Between Acrylic and Plastic?
Acrylic plastic represents a family of petroleum-based thermoplastics made from natural gas. It should be noted that acrylic is plastic; however, not all plastic is acrylic—plastic is a generic term for a large family of synthetic or semi-synthetic materials. Acrylic is also known as a polyacrylate and marketed under a few brand names with Plexiglas being the most well-known brand.
What is Acrylic Plastic Used For?
Acrylic plastic is commonly used inside point of purchase displays, signage, furniture, aquariums, picture frames, roof panels, windows, and DIY projects. It is a transparent plastic that resembles glass but offers better transparency and is 50% lighter than glass, making it ideal for both indoor and outdoor applications.
Is Acrylic Plastic Expensive?
The price of acrylic plastic varies based on the kind of acrylic material you decide to purchase. For example, clear extruded acrylic is cheaper than cast acrylic. As an overall rule, acrylic plastic is more expensive than other kinds of lower-quality plastics. However, if you want a product that is long-lasting and durable, acrylic plastic is worth the investment.
Is Acrylic a Form of Plastic?
Yes, acrylic is a form of plastic. Acrylic is considered a polyacrylate, which is one of the most common types of plastic. This material is made from Methyl Methacrylate (MMA), Poly Methyl Methacrylate (PMMA), or a combination of both.
Acrylic Brands We Carry
DoonX Plastics carries acrylic sheets from Plexiglas, Acrylite, Lucite, Plaskolite Optix, Polycast and Chemcast in a variety of sizes, including 80″ x 120″ boards & panels. Available options include P95, P99, OP3, bullet resistant and paper masking. Please contact us if you have specific brand requirements.
Is Acrylic a Good Material?
Acrylic boasts many great characteristics, including strength and durability. It is a less expensive alternative to both glass and polycarbonate and can be used in a wide variety of functions. It is also easy to clean and is more scratch resistant than polycarbonate.
Is Acrylic Plastic Better than Glass?
For many functions, acrylic or plexiglass is an ideal alternative to glass. It is stronger than glass, making it a better choice where security or durability are required. It is more transparent than glass, so it is perfect for retail displays and windows. Acrylic is also lighter than glass, making it easier to install or transport. Plexiglass is also more shatter resistant and if it does break, will not form sharp shards. Although glass is a great material, acrylic outshines glass in many aspects.
Is Acrylic Cheaper than Glass?
Acrylic plastic is a less expensive alternative to glass. However, this cost extends beyond the price of the materials. Since plexiglass is lighter than glass and more durable, acrylic is easier to transport and less likely to break. These additional benefits could result in additional savings for your business or home.
Is Acrylic Plastic Eco-Friendly?
Well, in its original manufactured state the answer is, no. The reason is clear. When acrylic plastic is produced it emits gases from the assorted compounds used to produce the durable material like carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, formaldehyde, and more. Acrylic plastic sheets are versatile too, so much so that acrylic plastic is the go-to material choice for professional construction and DIY projects alike. However, the plastics industry is taking note of this long-lasting material and its impact on the environment. Acrylic recycles well but still emits gases, yet the industry is making strides. In fact, breaking down and repurposing acrylic plastic into recyclable acrylic sheets is now an option. PLEXIGLAS® proTerra acrylic glass sheets reuse up to 90% acrylic to create a more eco-responsible product. Other eco conscious actions to prevent acrylic plastic sheets filling landfills include repurposing acrylic glass in jewelry and artisanship.
Acrylic Plastic Resources
- What is Acrylic / Plexiglass?
- Cast vs Extruded Acrylic
- Acyrlic vs. Polycarbonate
- Guide to Gluing Acrylic Plastic
- How to Cut Acrylic Plastic
- Advantages of Acrylic Plastic
