Difference Between Plexiglas And Acrylic Sheets

Continue reading to learn about the difference in lexan vs plexiglass two of our popular products.

Difference between plexiglas and acrylic sheets.

In addition to acrylic and polycarbonate sheets we also offer a wide array of other plastic materials including polypropylene twinwall vinyl nylon pvc and more. Polycarbonate and acrylic share many of the same types of plastic sheeting options like clear colored mirrored and more. Acrylic can be manufactured one of two ways. The material became available for commercial use in 1936 under the protected trademark plexiglas.

The terms acrylic and plexiglass are often used interchangeably for plastic sheets made from a polymer derived from esters of methacrylic acid. The biggest difference between plexiglas and some traditional acrylic is the way they are manufactured. The acrylic is continuously extruded to create sheets of acrylic. Acrylic sheeting is usually manufactured using one of two processes.

Whilst cast acrylic sheets tend to have a greater variance on thickness tolerance as much as 30 on thickness. Extruded or cell cast. Since a variety of industries depend on quality plastics we have become the go to choice for businesses looking for plastic distributors. While the form may be the same you will find that a clear polycarbonate sheet and a clear acrylic sheet are vastly different due to the physical and chemical properties of the plastic.

Plexiglas however is manufactured in cell cast only. Acrylic sheets are easy to glue and are good for milling bending and hot forming and is therefore a material suitable for many different applications. Typically plexiglass and acrylic products referred to as plexiglass will have very similar qualities. This is compensated by the surface finish as smooth as glass since it was cast or molded between two sheet of glass.

The primary mechanical difference between extruded acrylic and plexiglass is its surface hardness. That is the biggest benefit to purchasing plexiglas over other brands of acrylic sheeting. However softer material tends to crack or chip when drilling or cutting it. Extrusion or cell casting.

Out of both the pc has greater impact resistance and therefore can be sued for the bulletproofing. Extruded acrylic is manufactured using as the name suggests a process of extrusion. Both lexan and acrylic even after being strong can be scratched. Typically the only difference is in the way in which the two products are manufactured.

Plexiglass has a harder surface so cracking becomes less of an issue. The key differenc e between acrylic and plexiglass is that plexiglass is a brand name of acrylic sheets. Various trade names are applied to this sheet in europe we call it perspex in the usa it s often referred to as plexi or plexiglas other brand names include setacryl polycryl oroglas and many more. Lexan and plexiglass are both trade names for plastic sheet materials known as polycarbonate and acrylic.

On the other hand plexiglass is rigid and can chip off easily even after being produced in the form of flexible sheets. Acrylic latices may derive from esters of acrylic acid or methacrylic acid.