Plexiglass is a colloquial way to refer to clear acrylic sheets making acrylic and plexiglass the same product.
What is acrylic sheets used for.
Acrylic is available in sheet stock and round stock making it a good candidate for subtractive machining processes on a mill or lathe.
Clear acrylic plexiglass is primarily used in sheet forms because it s lighter in weight and is shatter resistant.
It is a methyl methacrylate that when used in the glass makes it hard glowy and translucent.
Poly methyl methacrylate pmma also known as acrylic acrylic glass or plexiglass as well as by the trade names crylux plexiglas acrylite astariglas lucite perclax and perspex among several others see below is a transparent thermoplastic often used in sheet form as a lightweight or shatter resistant alternative to glass the same material can be used as a casting resin or in inks.
Acrylic sheet has hundreds of different applications for commercial and residential construction.
Here are some ways to use acrylic sheets at home.
This clear plastic is typically more expensive than acrylic and polystyrene but it is extremely strong.
Many people associate polycarbonate with bullet proof glass because it is the same material used to make armored windows in government motorcade vehicles as well as airplane windows.
A wide variety of colors are usually available.
Plexiglass is a kind of clear acrylic sheet and it is specifically used as a generic term to refer to a few different products that are manufactured under different names including plexiglas the original trademarked name.
Polycarbonate is yet another type of thermoplastic polymer used in manufacturing.
Acrylic for prototype development on cnc machines and 3d printers.
How to cut acrylic sheets with basic tools.
However acrylic sheeting can also be used at home.
Like acrylic plastic polycarbonate sheets are lightweight durable and can be manufactured with high optical clarity.
This plastic is also commonly used as a replacement for glass.
However each system has its benefits.
Most polycarbonate aluminum glazing systems are suitable for use with acrylic.
Acrylic covered greenhouses promote maximum plant growth for generations there is no finer stronger or clearer structural sheet.
Acrylic sheet is used in everything from windows and wall partitions to lighting fixtures and canopies.
The origin of the term plexiglass comes from a brand of clear cast acrylic sheets called plexiglas but today plexiglass and acrylic are often used interchangeably.
Acrylic for transportation applications acrylic is used throughout the transportation industry in instrument panels windows windshields and mirrors.
Acrylic sheets are also available in certain fluorescent colors.
However as previously mentioned it is even more impact resistant than acrylic.
It is prone to scratching unless modified.
When acrylic was created in the early 1900s one of the products produced with it was registered under the name plexiglas.