Acrylic; Plexiglass®, and Acrylite®
Acrylic is often referred to by a few of its trade names, such as Lucite®, Plexiglass®, and Acrylite®. It is a transparent thermoplastic often used in a sheet form as a lightweight or shatter-resistant alternative to glass. Technically this plastic is also classified as a type of glass. Acrylic is an economical alternative to Polycarbonate when tensile strength, flexural strength, transparency, polish-ability, and UV tolerance are more important than impact strength, chemical resistance and heat resistance.
Common uses
- Replacement windows, windows & window repair
- Building and construction, Commercial & Structural Glazing:
- Storm-resistant windows, durable skylights, bullet resistant windows
- Displays & Point of Sale fixtures
- Exhibit, trade show, and convention displays
- Machine shops
- Plastic & Metal Fabrication
- Recreation of sporting equipment, stadium design, & watercraft manufacturing like boat windshields, sporting venue windows, face masks, & eye protection
- Signage
- Tabletop & desk top protectors
- Machine Guards
- Blasting cabinet window replacement
General properties
- Works well in high-sunlight applications
- UV stable
- Excellent resistance to yellowing
- Excellent optical clarity & transparency
- Highly resistant to variations in temperature
- Up t17 times the impact resistance of ordinary glass
- Half the weight of glass & ideal for precision making
- Highly resistant to many different chemicals
- Considered one of the clearest plastics around
