General Info
Acrylics (Polymethyl-Methacrylate or PMMA) is an amorphous thermoplastic which is optically transparent, unaffected by moisture, and offers a high strength-to-weight ratio. Common trade names of acrylic include Plexiglas ®, Lucite ®, and Acrylite ®. Acrylic is manufactured using different manufacturing processes. The primary processes include cast, continuous cast and extruded. We offer acrylic from all three processes. Cast acrylics are available in thicker sheets and larger diameter shapes and have lower thermal expansion than extruded acrylic. Continuous cast offers improved thickness tolerance compared to cast. Extruded acrylic offers the best thickness tolerance but has higher thermal expansion, higher internal stress and is more difficult to machine and cut than cast material.
Click for more information on the complete line of Acrylic Products
Key Properties
- Acrylics offer high light transmittance with a Refractive Index of 1.49 and can be easily heat-formed without loss of optical clarity.
- Prolonged exposure to moisture, or even total immersion in water, does not significantly affect the mechanical or optical properties of acrylic.
- Most commercial acrylics have been UV stabilized for good weatherability and resistance prolonged sunlight exposure.
- Acrylics are unaffected by aqueous solutions of most laboratory chemicals, by detergents, cleaners, dilute inorganic acids, alkalies, and aliphatic hydrocarbons
Limitations
- NOT recommended for use with chlorinated or aromatic hydrocarbons, esters, or ketones.
Applications
- Furniture
- Lenses and Lighting Fixtures
- Light Pipes
- Outdoor Signs
- Sculpture
- Sight Gauges
- Store Fixtures and Displays
- Windows and Skylights
Resin Trade Names
Manufacturer Trade Names
- Plexiglas ®
- Lucite ®
- Acrylite ®
- R-Cast ®
Boedeker Plastics, Inc. stocks & supplies plastic sheet, rod, tube, film and custom profiles and machine parts from these shapes that are produced from plastic resin. In many cases the manufacturer of the shape has their own product trade name. If your specification calls for a specific resin grade or manufacturer trade name, we can supply a shape made from that resin to meet your specification or suggest an equal. If you require a specific resin or brand it must be specified at the time of order.
Available Sizes
Available Colors
- Transparent Clear
- Wide Range of Colors (Depending on process)
