Acrylic is a plastic made using one or more derivatives of acrylic acid, and Polymethyl Methacrylate acrylic (PMMA) is one of it's more widely used forms because of its versatility, strength, weatherability and exceptional clarity.
PMMA acrylic sheet exhibits glass-like qualities – translucence, transparency, brilliance and clarity – at half the weight and up to 10 times the impact resistance. Various coatings can be applied to a sheet or finished part for performance enhancing characteristics, such as solar reflectivity, glare reduction, anti-fogging and scratch-resistance.
Acrylic does soften under extremely high temperatures, making it easy to form into virtually any shape. Acrylic weighs 50% less than glass, making it easier to handle but with a tensile strength of 8,000 pounds per square inch. Even if it does break, it fractures into large, dull-edged pieces. It also is resistant to UV light and maintains its clarity throughout the manufacturing process.
Because it’s tough, shatter resistant and maintains its color and clarity, acrylic is an excellent choice for a variety of items, including:
