Acrylic

Acrylic plastic, also known as plexiglass, is a useful, clear material that resembles glass, but offers better transparency and weighs 50% less than glass of equal thickness. Acrylic is known as one of the clearest materials, offering a transparency rate of 93% and can be used in a wide variety of applications. Shop from our extruded and cast options below. Custom sizing available.
Acrylic Rods
Acrylic Sheets
Acrylic Tubes
Acrylic Sheets Cut-to-Size
Novus Acrylic Care & Cleaning Products
Frame Grade Acrylic Sheets
Acrylic Mirrors
Glowforge®-Compatible Pre-Cut Acrylic Sheets
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What is Acrylic Plastic?

First discovered in 1893 by French chemist Charles Moureau, acrylic did not see widespread commercial application until 1933 when German scientist Otto Rohm synthesized and patented his product called “Plexiglas.”

Acrylic goes under many names, including as PMMA, Plexiglass, Lucite, Acrylic Glass or Acrylite. It has many of the properties of glass, but is exceptionally clear and lightweight. This transparent polymer is created when a chemical reaction occurs between a monomer and a catalyst.

As compared to a standard pane of window glass with equal thickness, acrylic is lighter by up to 50% with greater transparency. Acrylic transmits more light than glass, provides better heat insulation, and has higher impact strength. While the softer surface of acrylic is more prone to scratching than glass, it is possible to polish away blemishes. Scratched glass must be replaced.

Whether fabricated in cast or extruded forms, acrylic is less expensive and more durable than glass. Sheets or tubes transform into endless shapes for numerous uses by way of cold-forming, line bending, oven heating, drape, free blown, or vacuum forming.

Acrylic glass is among the oldest synthetic materials still in commercial production. Applications include windows, shields including those with bullet resistance, signage, furniture, aquariums, and picture frames.

Our acrylic materials are available in a broad range of standard and custom colors. Let Acme Plastics be your one stop plastics center for plexiglass related products.

What are the Characteristics of Acrylic Plastic?

Acrylic has a number of characteristics, which make it an ideal plastic to use. Consider the following benefits:

  • Highly transparent
  • Highly impact resistant
  • Easy to clean and polish
  • High durability
  • Light and easy to transport
  • More scratch resistant
  • Shatter resistant

For more on the advantages of acrylic, visit our resource page.

Acrylic Materials & Forms

Acrylic comes in a wide variety of forms. At Acme Plastics, we carry the following:

  • Extruded Acrylic Sheets - Extruded acrylic is a less expensive form of PMMA. It is highly impact and UV resistant. Custom sizing available.
  • Cast Acrylic Sheets - Cast acrylic sheets are more labor intensive to create, making it a more expensive alternative to its extruded acrylic counterpart. It also has a greater range of thickness and outstanding resistance to outside elements, including sunlight and weather. Custom sizing available.
  • Frame Grade Acrylic Sheets - Our frame grade acrylic sheets are inspected for quality to ensure high optical clarity for the picture framing industry. Custom sizing available.
  • Acrylic Rods - Our acrylic rods do not bend easily and will not shrink, making them a great alternative to other materials. A wide range of sizes are available for purchase.
  • Acrylic Tubes - Our acrylic tubes are durable and strong. Browse our wide range of diameters and sizes.

What is Acrylic Plastic Made of?

Many plastics, including acrylic plastic, use methyl methacrylate as their base molecule. This molecule has a double carbon bond, one of which is broken during polymerization. This allows the molecule to bond with another molecule to create a chain. This process continues until the polymer is created. Monomers such as methyl acrylate and acrylonitrile can also be combined with methyl methacrylate to produce different forms of PMMA.

What is the Difference Between Acrylic and Plastic?

Acrylic plastic represents a family of petroleum-based thermoplastics made from natural gas. It should be noted that acrylic is plastic; however, not all plastic is acrylic—plastic is a generic term for a large family of synthetic or semi-synthetic materials. Acrylic is also known as a polyacrylate and marketed under a few brand names with Plexiglas being the most well-known brand.

What is Acrylic Plastic Used For?

Acrylic plastic is commonly used inside point of purchase displays, signage, furniture, aquariums, picture frames, roof panels, windows, and DIY projects. It is a transparent plastic that resembles glass but offers better transparency and is 50% lighter than glass, making it ideal for both indoor and outdoor applications.

Is Acrylic Plastic Expensive?

The price of acrylic plastic varies based on the kind of acrylic material you decide to purchase. For example, clear extruded acrylic is cheaper than cast acrylic. As an overall rule, acrylic plastic is more expensive than other kinds of lower-quality plastics. However, if you want a product that is long-lasting and durable, acrylic plastic is worth the investment.

Is Acrylic a Form of Plastic?

Yes, acrylic is a form of plastic. Acrylic is considered a polyacrylate, which is one of the most common types of plastic. This material is made from Methyl Methacrylate (MMA), Poly Methyl Methacrylate (PMMA), or a combination of both.

Acrylic Brands We Carry

Acme Plastics carries acrylic sheets from Plexiglas, Acrylite, Lucite, Plaskolite Optix, Polycast and Chemcast in a variety of sizes, including 80" x 120" boards & panels. Available options include P95, P99, OP3, bullet resistant and paper masking. Please contact us if you have specific brand requirements.

Is Acrylic a Good Material?

Acrylic boasts many great characteristics, including strength and durability. It is a less expensive alternative to both glass and polycarbonate and can be used in a wide variety of functions. It is also easy to clean and is more scratch resistant than polycarbonate.

Is Acrylic Plastic Better than Glass?

For many functions, acrylic or plexiglass is an ideal alternative to glass. It is stronger than glass, making it a better choice where security or durability are required. It is more transparent than glass, so it is perfect for retail displays and windows. Acrylic is also lighter than glass, making it easier to install or transport. Plexiglass is also more shatter resistant and if it does break, will not form sharp shards. Although glass is a great material, acrylic outshines glass in many aspects.

Is Acrylic Cheaper than Glass?

Acrylic plastic is a less expensive alternative to glass. However, this cost extends beyond the price of the materials. Since plexiglass is lighter than glass and more durable, acrylic is easier to transport and less likely to break. These additional benefits could result in additional savings for your business or home.

Is Acrylic Plastic Eco-Friendly?

Well, in its original manufactured state the answer is, no. The reason is clear. When acrylic plastic is produced it emits gases from the assorted compounds used to produce the durable material like carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, formaldehyde, and more. Acrylic plastic sheets are versatile too, so much so that acrylic plastic is the go-to material choice for professional construction and DIY projects alike. However, the plastics industry is taking note of this long-lasting material and its impact on the environment. Acrylic recycles well but still emits gases, yet the industry is making strides. In fact, breaking down and repurposing acrylic plastic into recyclable acrylic sheets is now an option. Acrylite® proTerra acrylic glass sheets reuse up to 90% acrylic to create a more eco-responsible product. Other eco conscious actions to prevent acrylic plastic sheets filling landfills include repurposing acrylic glass in jewelry and artisanship.

Acrylic Plastic Resources