By Joel Dodds
Acrylic is a common construction material. Some of the best properties of acrylic include being lightweight, light, weather-resistant, as well as rigid. Also known as Plexiglas (its brand name) acrylic is one of the best materials when it comes to manufacturing sheets. It’s also important to note that acrylic, commonly referred to as PMMA, is a usually transparent thermoplastic and can be used as a shatter-resistant thermoplastic-based replacement for glass. Packed with an array of characteristics as well as features, acrylic can be used in an array of applications. From construction, glazing, to machining—acrylic has so much to offer. Other application of acrylic include:
- Construction of recreation facilities
- Designing of signage
- Plastic fabrication
On these lines, here is all you should know regarding acrylic.
Cast vs. Extruded Acrylic
The two most common types of acrylic sheeting are cell-cast and extruded polymers. They both result from chemical reactions occurring between monomers and catalysts. But each type has its own unique features. With an array of textured, glossy, and matte textures, finding the perfect material for your needs is now easier than ever before. Plus, you can readily get a handful of customized options to suit any specific set of applications.
Cast acrylic is the best type of acrylic available, providing the highest quality of optimal clarity as well as thermal stability. However, it’s important to note that casting acrylic is labor-intensive and entails mixing various liquid ingredients in glass molds. Although it’s quite expensive, the casting process yields a more robust and homogeneous product, making it suitable for use in large structures and installation. Even more, casting lends to better chemical resistance and this is what makes acrylic perfect for applications involving solvents lotion and fragrance solvents.
Thick Acrylic
Usually, thick acrylic is used in applications where other standard-based sheets don’t work. This is because these super thick based sheets are crystal clear as well as distortion-free. These make them a great solution when it comes to machining.
Extruded Acrylic
Extruded acrylic, which is formed through continuously pushing the acrylic mass through a form, is usually impact-resistant and heterogeneous. However, the property of the resulting product is dependent on the extrusion direction. It’s important to note that extruded acrylic tends to be more affordable when compared to cast acrylic. Also, it’s dimensionally more stable than its cast counterpart. This makes extruded acrylic cost-effective—especially when it comes to general fabrication and different types of industrial applications. Also, extruded acrylic has a low melting point—making it ideal for applications that involve laser cutting, routing, as well as polishing. Also, this property makes extruded acrylic a good option for applications involving cementing and thermoforming.
Features and Benefits
Acrylic comes with an array of features. Some of the best features of this material include:
- Light—acrylic is almost half the weight of normal glass
- Break-resistant—acrylic is break and impact resistant
- Weathering—acrylic is highly resistant when it comes to weathering or aging
- Chemicals—acrylic has powerful heat and chemical resistance capabilities
- Bonding—according to experts, acrylic is easy to bond. Also, it can easily thermoform
The Bottom-Line
The above information will give you a better understanding of acrylic. From the benefits to features—acrylic sheeting has so much to offer. Get your sheets from Regal Plastics: Acrylic today and let your roofing ooze with class.
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