Materials - Acrylic sheet

What is Acrylic? Acrylic is a light weight plastic made from petroleum. Acrylics are manufactured as fibers, plastics or resins. These materials are molded, colored or treated to form finished products. Acrylics are available in opaque and transparent forms. They are manufactured in various colors .

Properties of acrylic sheet

Acrylic sheet has many valuable properties that make it an exceptionally useful material. Some of the properties of acrylic sheets are given below.

• Acrylic sheet is strong and resists weathering and sharp blows.

• Acrylic sheet is flexible when compared with glass.

• Acrylic sheet is less breakable than glass.

• Acrylic sheet is abrasion resistant.

• Acrylic sheet can withstand sunlight for long durations.

• Acrylic sheet is resistant to most chemicals and industrial fumes.

• Acrylic sheet can transmit or filter ultraviolet light.

• Acrylic sheet can be cleaned easily.

• Acrylic sheet can be cut by various methods.

• Acrylic sheet is corrosion resistant.

• Acrylic sheet is a good insulator.

Applications of Acrylic sheet

Acrylic sheet can replace glass in many applications. The applications of acrylic sheet in various industries include:

Aircraft and Automotive: Acrylic sheets are used for products such as windows and canopies of aircrafts and tail lights of automobiles as they are light in weight and resists weathering. Hobbyists use acrylic sheet for making parts for aircraft models and other prototypes.

Construction: As Acrylic sheet resists sunlight, it is used as sunscreens, roof tops, lighting fixtures etc.

Other applications: Acrylic sheet is used for making furniture, sign boards, decorating panels, television screens, boat windshield, camera lenses, aquariums, toys, incubators and appliances etc. Acrylic sheets are used for security applications, as they can be bullet resistant.

Sample parts