What is Acrylic, What are the Different Types and What are They Used for?

Published by Member iCONQUER Ltd on 23 Feb 2023

Member Article

Acrylic is a synthetic plastic material made from a polymer called polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA). It is a lightweight, shatter-resistant and versatile material that is commonly used for a wide range of applications, including windows, skylights, signs, displays and as a substitute for glass.

There are different types of acrylic, including:

Cast Acrylic

This type of acrylic is produced by casting the polymer into a mold. Cast acrylic is known for its high clarity and colour stability. Some common uses for cast acrylic include:

Display cases and holders: Cast acrylic is often used for museum displays, product displays and jewelry holders due to its clarity and durability.

Signage: Cast acrylic is often used for signs, especially illuminated signs, due to its clarity and ability to transmit light.Aquariums: Cast acrylic is a popular material for aquariums because of its clarity, strength and resistance to yellowing and clouding over time.

Furniture and home decor: Cast acrylic is used in the manufacture of furniture, such as coffee tables and for home decor items, such as vases and photo frames.

Lighting: Cast acrylic is often used for lighting fixtures, such as chandeliers and pendant lights, because of its ability to transmit and diffuse light.

Art and sculpture: Cast acrylic is a popular material for artists and sculptors due to its transparency and versatility and is used in the creation of a wide range of artworks, from wall-mounted pieces to free-standing sculptures.

Medical equipment: Cast acrylic is used in the manufacture of medical equipment, such as dental trays and surgical instruments, because of its durability, clarity and resistance to sterilization methods.

Extruded Acrylic

This type of acrylic is produced by extruding the polymer through a die. Extruded acrylic has lower clarity and colour stability compared to cast acrylic, but it is less expensive and easier to fabricate. Some common uses for extruded acrylic include:

Glazing and windows: Extruded acrylic is often used for glazing in buildings, as well as for greenhouse windows and skylights, due to its lightweight and shatter-resistant properties.

Protective covers and guards: Extruded acrylic is commonly used for protective covers, such as machine guards and barrier shields, because of its durability and ability to withstand impact.

Displays and signs: Extruded acrylic is often used for displays and signs, particularly for backlit displays, due to its ability to transmit light and its low cost.

**Fabrication and prototyping: **Extruded acrylic is often used in fabrication and prototyping applications due to its ease of fabrication, low cost and durability.

DIY and craft projects: Extruded acrylic is a popular material for DIY and craft projects, such as jewelry-making, home decor and model-building, due to its affordability and versatility.

Point-of-purchase displays: Extruded acrylic is often used in point-of-purchase displays, such as countertop and floor displays, because of its durability and low cost.

**Lighting and fixtures: **Extruded acrylic is also used for lighting fixtures, such as wall sconces and table lamps, due to its ability to transmit and diffuse light and its low cost.

Acrylic Sheets

These are flat, thin sheets of acrylic that are used in a variety of applications, including signs, displays and as a substitute for glass. Some common uses for acrylic sheets include:

Glazing and windows: Acrylic sheets are often used as a substitute for glass in windows, skylights and greenhouses, due to their lightweight and shatter-resistant properties.

Display cases and holders: Acrylic sheets are often used in the construction of display cases, such as museum displays and retail displays, due to their clarity and durability.

Signage: Acrylic sheets are often used for signs, particularly for illuminated signs, due to their ability to transmit light and their durability.

Furniture and home decor: Acrylic sheets are used in the manufacture of furniture, such as coffee tables and for home decor items, such as photo frames and vases, due to their clarity and versatility.

Protective covers and guards: Acrylic sheets are used for protective covers, such as machine guards and barrier shields, due to their durability and ability to withstand impact.

DIY and craft projects: Acrylic sheets are a popular material for DIY and craft projects, such as jewelry-making, home decor and model-building, due to their affordability and versatility.

Lighting and fixtures: Acrylic sheets are also used in lighting fixtures, such as wall sconces and table lamps, due to their ability to transmit and diffuse light.

Point-of-purchase displays: Acrylic sheets are used in point-of-purchase displays, such as countertop and floor displays, due to their durability and versatility.

Acrylic Rods

These are cylindrical shapes made of acrylic that are commonly used in the manufacture of sign holders, displays and other products. Some common uses for acrylic rods include:

Display and signage: Acrylic rods are often used for display and signage applications, such as for creating poles for banners or flags, due to their durability and ability to transmit light.

Lighting: Acrylic rods are often used for lighting fixtures, such as chandeliers and pendant lights, due to their ability to transmit and diffuse light.

Aquariums: Acrylic rods are used in aquariums as supports for plants and decorations, and as connectors between acrylic panels in the construction of aquarium tanks.

Medical equipment: Acrylic rods are used in the manufacture of medical equipment, such as dental probes, due to their durability, clarity and resistance to sterilization methods.

Art and sculpture: Acrylic rods are used in the creation of a wide range of artworks, from wall-mounted pieces to free-standing sculptures, due to their transparency and versatility.

DIY and craft projects: Acrylic rods are also a popular material for DIY and craft projects, such as jewelry-making and model-building, due to their affordability and versatility.

Optical systems: Acrylic rods are used in optical systems, such as in the construction of lenses, due to their clarity and ability to transmit light.

Industrial applications: Acrylic rods are used in industrial applications, such as in the manufacture of machinery parts and equipment components, due to their durability and resistance to wear and tear.

Acrylic Tubes

These are hollow tubes made of acrylic that are used for a variety of purposes, including as protective barriers, as support structures and for lighting applications. Some common uses for acrylic tubes include:

Display and signage: Acrylic tubes are often used for display and signage applications, such as for creating poles for banners or flags, due to their durability and ability to transmit light.

Lighting: Acrylic tubes are often used for lighting fixtures, such as pendant lights and chandeliers, due to their ability to transmit and diffuse light.

Aquariums: Acrylic tubes are used in aquariums as supports for plants and decorations and as connectors between acrylic panels in the construction of aquarium tanks.

Medical equipment: Acrylic tubes are used in the manufacture of medical equipment, such as dental probes and handles for surgical instruments, due to their durability, clarity and resistance to sterilization methods.

Art and sculpture: Acrylic tubes are used in the creation of a wide range of artworks, from wall-mounted pieces to free-standing sculptures, due to their transparency and versatility.

DIY and craft projects: Acrylic tubes are also a popular material for DIY and craft projects, such as jewellery-making and model-building, due to their affordability and versatility.

Optical systems: Acrylic tubes are used in optical systems, such as in the construction of lenses, due to their clarity and ability to transmit light.

Industrial applications: Acrylic tubes are used in industrial applications, such as in the manufacture of machinery parts and equipment components, due to their durability and resistance to wear and tear.

Impact-modified Acrylic

This type of acrylic is modified to make it more resistant to breakage and impact. It is commonly used for applications that require a higher degree of toughness and durability, such as skylights and security barriers. Some common uses for impact-modified acrylic include:

Protective covers and guards: Impact-modified acrylic is often used for protective covers, such as machine guards and barrier shields, due to its durability and improved ability to withstand impact.

Windows and skylights: Impact-modified acrylic is often used as a substitute for glass in windows, skylights and greenhouses, due to its lightweight, shatter-resistant properties and improved ability to withstand impact.

Display cases and holders: Impact-modified acrylic is often used in the construction of display cases, such as museum displays and retail displays, due to its clarity, durability and improved ability to withstand impact.

Aquariums: Impact-modified acrylic is used in the construction of aquarium tanks, where regular acrylic would be prone to cracking or breaking upon impact.

Furniture and home decor: Impact-modified acrylic is used in the manufacture of furniture and home decor items, such as coffee tables and photo frames, due to its clarity and improved ability to withstand impact.

Signage: Impact-modified acrylic is often used for signs, particularly for illuminated signs, due to its ability to transmit light, durability and improved ability to withstand impact.

Protective gear: Impact-modified acrylic is used in the manufacture of protective gear, such as face shields and goggles, due to its clarity, durability and improved ability to withstand impact.

Industrial applications: Impact-modified acrylic is used in industrial applications, such as in the manufacture of machinery parts and equipment components, due to its durability and improved ability to withstand impact.

This article was provided by Denny Plastics, specialists in perspex, plastic and acrylic fabrication.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by iCONQUER Ltd .