Stiff, transparent, and impact resistant thermoplastic for skylights, signage, POP displays, and more.
Acrylic is a transparent thermoplastic material with excellent stiffness, strength, and optical clarity. Acrylic has outstanding weatherability and transmits up to 92% of visible light.
Properties
Higher impact resistance than glass
High light transmission
Excellent weathering and UV resistance
Good electrical resistivity
Easy to fabricate, thermoform
Light weight
Applications
Art installations
Glazing
Signage, photo frames
Automotive light lenses
Hockey rink guards
General glass substitute
Industries
Automotive
Signage
Aviation
Medical
Architecture
Acrylic Overview
What is acrylic plastic sheet?
Acrylic plastic sheet, also known as plastic glass, Plexiglas®, and PMMA, is a transparent amorphous commodity thermoplastic used for architectural glazing and windows, point-of-purchase displays, signage, and applications requiring a strong, stiff, and optically clear material that is easy to machine, fabricate, and thermoform.
Acrylic plastic sheet uses include glazing and weather-resistant windows in building, boating, and construction applications, as well as signage, point-of-sale displays, and anywhere a strong transparent surface is required. Acrylic plastic's high impact resistance makes it ideal for safety applications including facemasks, sneeze guards, eye protection, and bullet-resistant glazing.
Is acrylic plastic cheap or expensive?
Acrylic is generally more expensive than glass. However, acrylic is cheaper to install, is more impact resistant, and has a long life expectancy that may lead to overall long-term cost savings vs. glass. Acrylic is an economical alternative to polycarbonate for some applications.
Is acrylic the same as plexiglass?
There is no functional difference between Plexiglas®, plexiglass, and acrylic - they are the same material. Plexiglas® is a brand specific name for acrylic. Other brand names for this material include Lucite®, Optix®, Perspex®, and Altuglas®.
General Properties1 of Acrylic
Property
Cast
Extruded
Specific Gravity
1.19
1.19
Water Absorption @ 24 hrs.
0.2%
0.2%
Tensile Strength
10000 psi
10000 psi
Flexural Strength
16500 psi
17000 psi
Impact Strength
0.4 lbs/in.
0.4 lbs/in.
Hardness (Rockwell)
M94
M93
Light Transmission
92-93°F
92°F
UV Transmission
0
0
Forming Temperature
340-380°F
300°F
Heat Deflection Temperature
210°F
195°F
Maxmimum Service Temperature
180°F
160°F
Vicat Softening Point
239°F
220°F
Self-Ignition Temperature
910°F
850°F
Dielectric Strength (Short Time)
430 v/mil
430 v/mil
1The values listed are typical and are meant only as a guide to aid in design. Field testing is always recommended to determine exact values for each application.
WARNING: The products on this page can expose you to chemicals including Ethyl acrylate, CAS 140-88-5, which are known to the State of California to cause cancer. For more information go to www.p65warnings.ca.gov.