Acrylic advantages and disadvantages - Echo Plastic

Acrylic plastic, also known as plexiglass, is a useful, clear material that resembles glass. So what’s the difference between acrylic and standard glass?  We need to know acrylic advantages and disadvantages.

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Acrylic sheet is an excellent substitute for traditional glass for many purposes. This versatile type of plastic has numerous applications and it’s also much cheaper than standard glass. In this blog, we’re going to take a closer look at the advantages of using acrylic compared to traditional glass.

The main advantages

• 30x as strong as glass
• 2x lighter than glass
• Less expensive
• Easier to work with
• Durable
• More translucent
• Safer than glass

The main disadvantages

• More liable to scratching than glass
• Not heat-resistant

Advantage: 30 x as strong as glass

It might sound surprising but moulded acrylic sheet is actually thirty times as strong as standard glass. This is because acrylic sheet is

a form of plastic and has much greater flexibility. When moulded acrylic is being processed there is only a small risk of it breaking.

Advantage: 2 x as light as glass

Acrylic sheet or plexiglass is twice as light as standard glass, a feature that’s very handy when you want to use it for applications such as hanging an acrylic barn door.

Advantage: Acrylic sheet is cheaper

Acrylic sheet is also recommended to anyone who wants to save themselves some money. Acrylic is not only much cheaper than standard glass, but it’s also easier to cut it to size. At Echo Plastic, we’ll cut it to size for you for free.

Advantage: Processing is easier

Regular glass is at a very high risk of breaking when being processed but there’s no problem with acrylic sheet. Plexiglass or clear acrylic offers almost limitless options for processing. You can saw, mill, drill, engrave, glue, polish and bend ( with heat) these sheets.

Advantage: Plexiglass is hardwearing

Acrylic sheet is very durable and will not weather or discolour. As long as you maintain it regularly, it will keep its good looks for years. Plexiglass has the same levels of thermal efficiency as standard glass. It’s also UV- and moisture- resistant and this is why acrylic sheet is perfect for exterior applications.

Disadvantage: Acrylic sheet is more sensitive to scratches

One disadvantage of plexiglass is that it scratches more easily than standard glass, so it’s important that you maintain and clean it correctly.

Disadvantage: Acrylic is not resistant to heat

Acrylic sheet should never be used for safety applications such as windows in trains and buses. This is because acrylic panels aren’t heat resistant. If you need a substitute for standard glass that will withstand high temperatures, opt for clear polycarbonate.

Acrylic advantages and disadvantages

As far as the list of versatile plastics goes, it wouldn’t be complete without mentioning acrylic. It gets worked into vastly different uses, from canopies for aircraft to supplies for manicures. Grouped into a category called engineering plastics, acrylic has proven its worth for several reasons. Here’s what you should know about its composition, properties, how it’s made, and what it can be made into.

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What Is Acrylic? 

Acrylic is the shortened name for polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), which is a type of rigid plastic with a great level of transparency—so impressive it’s often used in place of glass. It also happens to be the number-one plastic for laser cutting. 

You may see both PMMA and MMA out in the world, and they are related. PMMA is a polymerized version of MMA, which is methyl methacrylate and is a vital part of creating acrylic polymers.

How It’s Made

This synthetic resin is made through polymerization and it’s a breeze to mold it into numerous shapes. The process starts with filling methyl methacrylate into a mold with a catalyst. This causes its structure to form (into long polymer chains) and once this process is finished, the acrylic will be extruded or cast and go through post-processing. 

Properties and Features

There are a few key features that make acrylic stand out from other types of plastic, which we’ve put in the table below:

Types of Acrylic

There are two common types of acrylic that you’ll come across when looking for manufacturing materials. Their differences come down to how they’re made, which in turn gives them different characteristics. 

• Cast Acrylic: This style comes to life by pouring liquid MMA and PMMA pellets into a vat, and that liquid is then transferred to a mold made of glass sheets. This gets heated up and the acrylic goes through polymerization. Then it cools and you have cast acrylic. It’s known for being a little more expensive, but it’s strong, durable, clear, stable, and has great thermal properties. 
• Extruded Acrylic: This other type of acrylic gets created through extrusion. First pellets will be turned into resin, then this will be poured into an extruder that will melt it down and push or extrude the material out where it will cool. This is a more affordable process, and it’s great as a glass substitution because it’s consistent and easy to machine. Although its strength is lower, this actually makes it easier to shape. 

Outside of these two types, there are many other grades, colors, and formats of acrylic. Some have special coatings to help them resist fogging, flare, and scratches. Others come in paint form, which can be rolled onto walls, products, and even fingernails and cured with UV light. 

Uses and Applications

Acrylic can be used in so many different ways across a vast range of industries. Here are some of the most common applications you’ll find:

• Lights for cars, trucks, and other automotives
• Lenses for eyeglasses
• Signs and displays
• Skylights and windows
• DIY projects
• LCD screens
• Bathtubs, furniture, storage containers, and other home goods
• Acrylic for manicures 
• Bulletproof security barriers
• Coatings that remain stable in various conditions 
• Medical and dental applications, like hip joint replacements, bone cement, and intraocular lenses
• As an alternative to glass and polycarbonate 

FAQs About Acrylic

Here are a few other handy answers to common questions that come up about acrylic.

Disclaimer

The content appearing on this webpage is for informational purposes only. Xometry makes no representation or warranty of any kind, be it expressed or implied, as to the accuracy, completeness, or validity of the information. Any performance parameters, geometric tolerances, specific design features, quality and types of materials, or processes should not be inferred to represent what will be delivered by third-party suppliers or manufacturers through Xometry’s network. Buyers seeking quotes for parts are responsible for defining the specific requirements for those parts. Please refer to our terms and conditions for more information.

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