Overview
Acrylic (PMMA, Polymethyl Methacrylate) is a transparent engineering thermoplastic known for its exceptional optical clarity, weather resistance, UV stability, lightweight characteristics, and surface hardness.
Often marketed under trade names such as Plexiglas®, Acrylite®, Lucite®, and Perspex®, Acrylic is widely used as a lightweight and shatter-resistant alternative to glass. It offers excellent transparency, transmitting up to 92% of visible light, making it one of the clearest plastics available.
Acrylic is widely used in:
- Display Cases
- Signage and Advertising
- Lighting Components
- Medical Equipment
- Automotive Lenses
- Protective Covers
- Architectural Glazing
- Consumer Products
Due to its excellent appearance, weatherability, and ease of fabrication, Acrylic remains one of the most popular transparent plastics worldwide.
Material Specification
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Material Designation | Acrylic |
| Full Name | Polymethyl Methacrylate |
| Abbreviation | PMMA |
| Common Trade Names | Plexiglas®, Acrylite®, Lucite®, Perspex® |
| Material Family | Transparent Engineering Thermoplastic |
| Density | 1.17–1.20 g/cm³ |
| Transparency | Excellent |
| Light Transmission | Up to 92% |
| Typical Manufacturing Methods | CNC Machining, Injection Molding, Extrusion, Thermoforming |
| Standard Forms | Sheet, Rod, Tube, Pellets |
Chemical Composition
Acrylic is produced through polymerization of methyl methacrylate monomers.
| Component | Function |
|---|---|
| PMMA Polymer | Structural Matrix |
| UV Stabilizers | Weather Resistance |
| Processing Additives | Manufacturing Performance |
| Colorants (Optional) | Appearance Enhancement |
Mechanical Properties
Typical Values
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Tensile Strength | 60–75 MPa |
| Yield Strength | 55–70 MPa |
| Elongation at Break | 2–10% |
| Flexural Strength | 90–120 MPa |
| Flexural Modulus | 2.5–3.5 GPa |
| Hardness | Rockwell M90–105 |
| Compressive Strength | 100–130 MPa |
Typical Mechanical Performance
| Property | Performance |
|---|---|
| Rigidity | Excellent |
| Surface Hardness | Excellent |
| Impact Resistance | Moderate |
| Dimensional Stability | Excellent |
Acrylic offers higher surface hardness than Polycarbonate but lower impact resistance.
Physical Properties
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Density | 1.17–1.20 g/cm³ |
| Water Absorption (24h) | 0.2–0.4% |
| Thermal Conductivity | 0.18–0.25 W/m·K |
| Electrical Resistivity | >10¹⁴ Ω·cm |
| Refractive Index | 1.49 |
| Specific Heat Capacity | 1460 J/kg·K |
Optical Properties
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Light Transmission | 91–92% |
| Transparency | Outstanding |
| Optical Clarity | Outstanding |
| Haze | Very Low |
| Gloss | High |
Acrylic offers higher light transmission than glass and most transparent plastics.
Thermal Properties
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Glass Transition Temperature | 105°C |
| Heat Deflection Temperature | 85–100°C |
| Vicat Softening Temperature | 105–115°C |
| Continuous Service Temperature | -30°C to 80°C |
| Short-Term Service Temperature | Up to 95°C |
Acrylic provides moderate thermal resistance suitable for most indoor and outdoor applications.
Strength-to-Weight Ratio
| Material | Density (g/cm³) | Tensile Strength |
|---|---|---|
| Acrylic | 1.19 | 70 MPa |
| Polycarbonate | 1.20 | 70 MPa |
| Glass | 2.50 | 40 MPa |
| PETG | 1.27 | 50 MPa |
Acrylic combines excellent transparency with lightweight performance.
UV Resistance
| Property | Performance |
|---|---|
| UV Stability | Outstanding |
| Weather Resistance | Outstanding |
| Yellowing Resistance | Excellent |
| Outdoor Durability | Excellent |
Unlike many plastics, Acrylic naturally resists UV degradation and yellowing.
Chemical Resistance
| Chemical Environment | Performance |
|---|---|
| Water | Excellent |
| Dilute Acids | Good |
| Dilute Alkalis | Good |
| Oils & Greases | Good |
| Alcohols | Fair |
| Aromatic Solvents | Poor |
| Ketones | Poor |
Acrylic should be protected from aggressive solvents that may cause stress cracking.
Electrical Properties
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Volume Resistivity | >10¹⁴ Ω·cm |
| Surface Resistivity | >10¹³ Ω |
| Dielectric Strength | 15–25 kV/mm |
| Dielectric Constant | 2.6–3.2 |
Acrylic provides good electrical insulation characteristics.
Impact Resistance
| Property | Rating |
|---|---|
| Room Temperature Impact | Moderate |
| Low Temperature Impact | Fair |
| Drop Resistance | Moderate |
| Shatter Resistance | Better Than Glass |
Acrylic is more impact resistant than glass but significantly less impact resistant than Polycarbonate.
Machinability
| Process | Rating |
|---|---|
| CNC Milling | Excellent |
| CNC Turning | Excellent |
| Drilling | Excellent |
| Laser Cutting | Outstanding |
| Engraving | Outstanding |
Machinability Comparison
| Material | Machinability |
|---|---|
| Acrylic | Outstanding |
| Polycarbonate | Good |
| ABS | Excellent |
| PETG | Good |
Acrylic is one of the best plastics for laser cutting and engraving.
Thermoforming Characteristics
| Property | Rating |
|---|---|
| Thermoformability | Excellent |
| Vacuum Forming | Excellent |
| Hot Bending | Excellent |
| Optical Retention | Excellent |
Acrylic is widely used for formed display and lighting applications.
International Equivalent Grades
| Standard | Equivalent Grade |
|---|---|
| ISO | PMMA |
| ASTM | Acrylic Resin |
| DIN | PMMA |
| JIS | Acrylic Resin |
| GB/T (China) | 亚克力 / PMMA |
| UL | PMMA Thermoplastic |
Available Forms
| Product Type | Availability |
|---|---|
| Sheet | Yes |
| Rod | Yes |
| Tube | Yes |
| Film | Yes |
| Pellets | Yes |
| Injection Molded Parts | Yes |
Typical Applications
Advertising & Signage
- Illuminated Signs
- Display Panels
- Retail Displays
- Lettering
Architecture & Construction
- Skylights
- Transparent Barriers
- Decorative Panels
- Architectural Glazing
Automotive Industry
- Light Covers
- Instrument Panels
- Decorative Trim
Medical Industry
- Diagnostic Equipment Covers
- Transparent Housings
- Laboratory Components
Lighting Industry
- Diffusers
- Light Guides
- LED Covers
- Optical Components
Consumer Products
- Display Cases
- Aquariums
- Furniture Components
- Decorative Products
Manufacturing Characteristics
| Manufacturing Process | Rating |
|---|---|
| CNC Machining | Outstanding |
| Laser Cutting | Outstanding |
| Injection Molding | Excellent |
| Thermoforming | Excellent |
| Vacuum Forming | Excellent |
Advantages
Exceptional Optical Clarity
Provides up to 92% light transmission.
Excellent UV Resistance
Suitable for long-term outdoor exposure.
Lightweight
Approximately half the weight of glass.
Superior Surface Hardness
More scratch resistant than Polycarbonate.
Excellent Fabrication Properties
Ideal for machining, laser cutting, and thermoforming.
Outstanding Weather Resistance
Maintains appearance for years outdoors.
Limitations
Lower Impact Resistance
Less durable than Polycarbonate under impact loads.
Brittle Behavior
Can crack under severe impact.
Moderate Heat Resistance
Not suitable for high-temperature applications.
Solvent Sensitivity
Certain chemicals can cause stress cracking.
Comparison with Transparent Plastics
| Property | Acrylic | Polycarbonate | PETG |
|---|---|---|---|
| Transparency | Outstanding | Excellent | Good |
| Impact Resistance | Moderate | Outstanding | Good |
| UV Resistance | Outstanding | Moderate | Good |
| Scratch Resistance | Better | Lower | Lower |
| Cost | Moderate | Higher | Moderate |
Comparison with Glass
| Property | Acrylic | Glass |
|---|---|---|
| Density | 1.19 g/cm³ | 2.50 g/cm³ |
| Light Transmission | 92% | 88–90% |
| Weight | Light | Heavy |
| Impact Resistance | Better | Poor |
| Machinability | Excellent | Difficult |
Available Surface Finishes
Standard Finishes
- Gloss Clear Finish
- Matte Finish
- Frosted Finish
Functional Finishes
- CNC Machined Finish
- Flame Polished Finish
- Diamond Polished Finish
Specialty Finishes
- Anti-Glare Finish
- UV-Coated Finish
- Colored Acrylic Finish
- Mirror Acrylic Finish
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is Acrylic?
Acrylic (PMMA) is a transparent engineering plastic known for outstanding optical clarity, UV resistance, and weatherability.
What is Acrylic used for?
Typical applications include:
- Signage
- Display Cases
- Lighting Components
- Architectural Panels
- Medical Equipment
Is Acrylic stronger than glass?
Yes. Acrylic is generally more impact resistant than glass and significantly lighter.
Is Acrylic better than Polycarbonate?
For optical clarity and UV resistance, Acrylic is often preferred. For impact resistance, Polycarbonate is superior.
Can Acrylic be machined?
Yes. Acrylic offers excellent CNC machining, laser cutting, and engraving performance.
Why choose Acrylic?
Because it combines:
- Outstanding Transparency
- Excellent UV Resistance
- Lightweight Construction
- Superior Surface Hardness
- Easy Fabrication
Is Acrylic suitable for outdoor applications?
Yes. Acrylic offers excellent long-term outdoor durability and weather resistance.
Does GCNOV provide Acrylic manufacturing services?
Yes. GCNOV provides:
- Acrylic CNC Machining
- PMMA Injection Molding
- Laser Cutting & Engraving
- Thermoforming
- Surface Polishing
- Prototype Development
- Low-Volume Production
- Mass Production