Are there different types of Plexiglas? Plastic Fabricators in Toronto Canada (2024)

FAQs

Are there different types of plexiglass? ›

There are three main types of Plexiglas Cell Cast Acrylic Sheet, Continuous Cast Acrylic Sheets, Extruded Acrylic Sheets.

The global key manufacturers of Cast Acrylic Sheets include Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation, Evonik, Altuglas International, 3A Composites Gmbh, Aristech Acrylics, Madreperla, Gevacril, Spartech and Astari Niagara, etc. in 2022, the global top five players have a share approximately % in terms of revenue.

Acrylic is preferred when very clear, lightweight material is needed, or when a specific size or shape is required because it is easily formed without impacting visibility. Polycarbonate is preferred when strength and impact resistant are needed, or when the material could be exposed to high heat.

Yes, acrylic plastic comes in many different grades that enhance its performance for specific applications and purposes. Grades include general purpose clear acrylic, abrasion resistant, impact modified, light diffusing, bullet resistant, sign-grade, non-glare, antimicrobial, and digital print.

Plexiglass is a type of acrylic. You may know it as Plexiglas, but plexiglass itself is not a trademarked term. Because standard acrylic and plexiglass are so similar, you can often use them for the same applications. The main differences are in the way that companies manufacture plexiglass and acrylic plastic sheets.

Acme Plastics offers cut-to-size clear and colored acrylic or plexiglass sheets.

Plexiglass with two s's is the generic term synonymous with acrylic sheet. Plexiglas® with one s is the brand name. Other trade names that have become comparable to Plexiglas® include Acrylite®, Lucite®, and Perspex®.

Acrylic is known by many names, with generic names including acrylic, acrylic glass, and plexiglass. Brand names include Plexiglas, Evonik Cryo Acrylite, Lucite, Plaskolite, Optix, Perspex, and more.

Longevity: An added bonus of using clear acrylic is its longevity. Not only is it durable, but it's also known to retain its integrity for up to 30 years outdoors.

It can withstand temperatures as low as minus 40 degrees Celsius, and even the fiercest summer heat cannot damage the material: PLEXIGLAS® GS can be used at temperatures up to about 80 degrees Celsius and PLEXIGLAS® XT to about 70 degrees. Only at about 200 degrees Celsius does the material start to fuse.

What type of plexiglass is bulletproof? ›

Monolithic acrylic is the most popular type of bulletproof glass. Composed of a single piece of 1 1/4″ to 1 3/8″ solid thermoplastic, acrylic has a remarkably high level of optical clarity. Bulletproof acrylic is tested to UL 752 Levels 1 and 2.

For more general-purpose applications, plexiglass sheets with thicknesses of 0.080″ (2.0mm) to 0.125″ (3.2mm) are commonly available. These mid-range thicknesses offer a good balance between strength, durability, and cost-effectiveness.

Acrylic can also be coated to supplement characteristics such as scratch resistance, anti-fogging, glare reduction and solar reflectivity. Common brands of high-grade acrylic include Polycast, Lucite, Plexiglass and Perspex.

DURAPLEX is a continuously processed acrylic sheet that is up to 10 times stronger than general-purpose acrylic, 30 times stronger than double-strength window glass and 50 times stronger than polished wire glass or other glasses.

Popular Brands of Acrylic Paints

Liquitex Basics, Soft Body, and Heavy Body acrylics are all good-quality acrylic paints, but they are formulated for different purposes and have different properties. Liquitex Basics are student grade acrylics designed for beginners and students.

Acrylic is less expensive and easier to fabricate, but can shatter if impacted with enough force. While acrylic is 17% stronger than glass, polycarbonate is nearly indestructible and often used for bullet-resistant enclosures.

PLEXIGLAS® Optical HC has a scratch-resistant coating and is particularly well suited for surfaces which are subject to intense stress. This product is available with a high-gloss surface or as PLEXIGLAS® Optical HCM with a matte surface that reduces reflections.

Cast acrylic is known for its optical clarity and superior surface finish, making it ideal for applications requiring high transparency or intricate designs. On the other hand, extruded acrylic offers better impact resistance and is more suitable for applications that require durability and strength.

What's cheaper, Acrylic or Plexiglass? Technically, plexiglass manufacturing involves the cell cast process, which is more strenuous than the extrusion process used for acrylic sheets. For this reason, acrylic is cheaper than plexiglass.