Frequently Asked Questions About Acrylic Plastic

February 27, 2020 12:05 am Published by Leave your thoughts

D&D Plastics deals with acrylic plastic sheets on a regular basis, and we have a wide variety of clients who rely on acrylic plastic for their applications. If you’re trying to figure out the best kind of plastic to use for your project, it’s important for you to understand the properties of the various plastic options available, including acrylic.

Here’s a quick overview of some of the most common acrylic sheet FAQs we hear from our Utah customers.

How strong is acrylic, and how does it compare to glass?

Acrylic is often used as a substitute for glass because it provides the same level of clarity, but quite a bit more strength. Consider this: a .125” thickness of acrylic plastic sheeting will offer two to three times the impact resistance of double-strength window glass, as well as four to five times more impact resistance than wire glass or other types of glass. A .25” thickness provides nine or 10 times more impact resistance than those other types of glasses.

Why choose acrylic over glass?

We already mentioned acrylic is both stronger and more impact resistant than glass. It’s also shatterproof, much lighter in weight, easier to fabricate and easier to form into specific types of shapes. These are far and away the most common reasons why people choose acrylic over glass.

How does acrylic compare to other plastics in terms of strength?

While acrylic is significantly stronger than glass, it’s not the strongest kind of plastic you’ll find—that honor would go to polycarbonate. The second-strongest would be PETG or PET, followed by impact-modified acrylic sheets, followed by standard acrylic. Of course, standard acrylic is less expensive than those other options, which is why it’s more broadly used.

Do I need to be concerned about yellowing or scratching when using acrylic sheets?

Acrylic sheets make great glass substitutes in part because they are made with an ultraviolet stabilizer that protects the material from UV exposure. This means you shouldn’t need to worry about yellowing, at least for the first decade of use. You’ll still want to make sure you wash it with the proper cleaning solutions on a regular basis and avoid using commercial glass cleaning sprays, as this could result in hazing or fine scratching, which will make yellowing more likely. Acrylic is generally resistant to scratching, but you can find options that offer even better abrasion resistance.

What do I do if my plastic does get scratched?

While acrylic is highly scratch resistant, scratches can and do occur. The good news is that you can fix the problem relatively quickly and easily. If you’re unable to feel the scratch with your fingernail, there are simple fillers you can use that will get the job done without a problem. Otherwise, you may need to sand and buff the area to restore the shine, and then use the filler solution.

To learn more about acrylic plastic sheets in Utah or get answers to more acrylic sheet FAQs, we encourage you to contact the team of experts at D&D Plastics today.

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