Plexiglass Vs Acrylic Sheets

The terms acrylic and plexiglass are often used interchangeably for plastic sheets made from a polymer derived from esters of methacrylic acid.

Plexiglass vs acrylic sheets.

The primary mechanical difference between extruded acrylic and plexiglass is its surface hardness. Typically plexiglass and acrylic products referred to as plexiglass will have very similar qualities. Acrylic sheeting is usually manufactured using one of two processes. The biggest difference between plexiglas and some traditional acrylic is the way they are manufactured.

Acrylic latices may derive from esters of acrylic acid or methacrylic acid. While working on them make sure you pay a bit attention to the plexiglass sheet since it can crack or chip off. However softer material tends to crack or chip when drilling or cutting it. Acrylic sheets are easy to glue and are good for milling bending and hot forming and is therefore a material suitable for many different applications.

The acrylic is sometimes interchangeably called plexiglass the brand name. Key difference acrylic vs plexiglass. Extruded or cell cast. Plexiglas however is manufactured in cell cast only.

Exact thickness tolerances will vary by manufacturer. In addition to this both are sensitive to heat. Acrylic is often used interchangeably with plexiglas which is trademarked by rohm and hass. The key differenc e between acrylic and plexiglass is that plexiglass is a brand name of acrylic sheets.

The following are pros of acrylic plexiglass. Plexiglass has a harder surface so cracking becomes less of an issue. It is a clear plastic. Acrylic has a glossier water clear appearance compared to polycarbonate.

Extrusion or cell casting. So what is commonly known as plexiglass is really a brand of acrylic pmma. The material became available for commercial use in 1936 under the protected trademark plexiglas. Please call us at 858 560 1551 with any questions.

Typically the only difference is in the way in which the two products are manufactured. Acrylic is generally less expensive than polycarbonate but different coating and grade options may alter the price of each material. The acrylic glass was developed in the year 1928 in some laboratories by chemists such as william chalmers and it was made available to the market under the plexiglas trademark. That is the biggest benefit to purchasing plexiglas over other brands of acrylic sheeting.

Standard extruded acrylic is softer making it ideal for gluing pieces of this material together. Acrylic can be manufactured one of two ways.