Industrial applications Archives

Multiwall Polycarbonate Hurricane Panels: The Ultimate Defense Against Hurricane

Installation of hurricane panels

Hurricanes are the costliest weather disasters in the United States. According to the NOAA Office for Coastal Management, tropical cyclones (hurricanes) have caused over $1.3 trillion in damages from storms that occurred between the years 1980 and 2023.

Hurricane hazards, including high-velocity winds and torrential rain, are extremely destructive and pose risks to both life and property. If you live or own property in a hurricane-prone area, FEMA recommends you reinforce, strengthen, or retrofit the property to reduce the risk of damage. Having the proper protection in place to board up glass windows and doors is one essential and provides peace of mind if you need to evacuate. An effective material to help defend your home from damage is multiwall polycarbonate hurricane panels. Below, we discuss what they are and how they can help.

Continue reading Multiwall Polycarbonate Hurricane Panels: The Ultimate Defense Against Hurricane

How Premium Marine Plastics Contribute to Sustainable Boating Practices

Interior of boat utilizing marine plastic

The push for sustainability is reshaping every industry, and boating is charting the same course. The marine industry, traditionally reliant on non-renewable materials, is now exploring greener alternatives. One standout solution is the use of premium marine plastics. Not only do these materials reduce the environmental footprint, but they also enhance performance and longevity, making them an ideal choice for sustainable boat building. In this post, we’ll explore how premium marine plastics are contributing to improved sustainability within boating and why they’re emerging as a vital material in the industry.

Continue reading How Premium Marine Plastics Contribute to Sustainable Boating Practices

How to Install a Pergola Using Twinwall

Twinwall pergola installed in a backyard

When it comes to extending the life of your pergola and enhancing its features, it’s crucial to carefully choose the quality of the materials you use to build it. Twinwall polycarbonate panels from Acme Plastics are an excellent, durable choice for your pergola roof, as they are lightweight, easy to install, and offer optimal light transmission. Twinwall polycarbonate is also thermally efficient because it traps air between the layers of its sheeting. While it offers many benefits, you need to be cautious when learning how to install a pergola roof panel properly. Below is a comprehensive guide on how to install a pergola roof with Twinwall panels from Acme Plastics.

Continue reading How to Install a Pergola Using Twinwall

How to Work with Bullet-Resistant Acrylic

Bullet-resistant acrylic sheets are commonly used in place of glass when impact protection or ballistic security is needed. The material is chosen for use in many applications from retail panels and POP displays to schools and television studios. It is less expensive than bullet-resistant polycarbonate and laminated glass, making it a cost-effective option for those uses. Underwriters Laboratories approve Level 1 bullet-resistant acrylic sheets for the following: “protection is provided against complete penetration, the passage of fragments of projectiles, or spalling (fragmentation) of the protective material to the degree that injury would be caused to a person standing directly behind the bullet-resisting barrier.”

Bullet-resistant acrylic is also easier to work with since it is pliable and can be cut, sanded, and heated. Here’s what you need to know if you want to work with bullet-resistant acrylic.

Continue reading How to Work with Bullet-Resistant Acrylic

10 Acrylic Plastic Safety Tips To Know

Proper PPE for handling acrylic plastic safely

Whether you’re a professional manufacturer or a DIY enthusiast exploring new creative avenues, acrylic plastic is an undeniably valuable material. Its versatility, clarity, and ease of use make it suitable for a wide range of projects, from sleek signage to intricate artwork. In this guide, we’ll delve into essential acrylic plastic safety tips to equip you with the knowledge and precautions necessary to work with this material.

Continue reading 10 Acrylic Plastic Safety Tips To Know

8 Best Plexiglass Uses in Your Home

Homeowners are always looking for ways to make their houses not only look better but also become more efficient. One of the easiest ways to do both is to incorporate plexiglass into your living arrangement.
Acrylic—which is also known as plexiglass—is a transparent thermoplastic homopolymer that comes in a variety of colors, shapes, and sizes. Plexiglass can be used in several different ways. Plexiglass is typically sold in sheets and is available in styles such as frosted, mirrored, or non-glare. Take a closer look at these 8 exciting plexiglass uses in your home to elevate efficiency and design!

Continue reading 8 Best Plexiglass Uses in Your Home

6 Benefits of Acrylic Sheet Aquariums

Mother and daughter cleaning acrylic sheet aquarium at home

From retail displays to directional signage, there’s no shortage of things to create with acrylic. And while you might lean towards using the material for your business needs, acrylic can also come in handy for your home—case in point: your aquarium.

An acrylic sheet aquarium can make a fish lover’s life easier for a multitude of reasons, offering an alternative to the typical glass models. Read on for some of the biggest benefits of choosing an acrylic sheet aquarium.

Continue reading 6 Benefits of Acrylic Sheet Aquariums

What is ABS Material

Construction worker carrying hard hat made out of ABS plastic material

When it comes to finding a manufacturing material that is tough and durable, but flexible enough to be used in an array of ways, look no further than ABS material. Not familiar with it? Here’s a breakdown of what is ABS material and how it can be used.

Continue reading What is ABS Material

How to Weld Plastics: A Complete Guide

The plastic welding process takes place when heat and pressure are applied to join two pieces of plastic together. The plastic is melted at the joint and then pressed together to create a bond. There are several techniques used to do this, so it’s not always easy to determine how to weld plastic. With that in mind, here’s a crash course on welded plastics and how to weld them efficiently.

Continue reading How to Weld Plastics: A Complete Guide

Understanding PEEK Material

Polyetheretherketone (PEEK) is a semicrystalline thermoplastic polymer used for engineering applications. Developed in the late 1970s, it was first used as a high-temperature resistant material for cable insulation. It is now used in numerous applications where high thermal properties are required—its high thermal stability allows PEEK material to be used continuously at a high temperature of up to 482° F/250° C for a long time and almost 750° F/400° C for a short time.

PEEK material is light weight, stiff, and has excellent mechanical strength and dimensional stability. It also has good combustion resistance, good corrosion resistance, and good resistance to x-rays and Beta and gamma rays. Its excellent mechanical and chemical resistance properties are retained in high temperature applications, making it particularly useful in the medical/pharmaceutical, aircraft and aerospace, fluid handling, electrical/electronics manufacturing, automotive, food processing, and petroleum industries.

Continue reading Understanding PEEK Material