Acrylic latices may derive from esters of acrylic acid or methacrylic acid. Acrylic Vs. Polycarbonate. Plexiglas®, however, is manufactured in cell cast only. But what about polycarbonate plastic? Plexiglass vs. Plexiglas®: Acrylic Sheeting Facts, Sign up for A&C Plastics Updates, Promotions. They are both … Not knowing the difference between the terms can pose problems and confusion when it comes to shopping for the acrylic sheeting you need. Acrylic is less expensive but easier to crack. Although Polycarbonate and Acrylic have certain applications to which they are both particularly well suited, they can also be used in conjunction with one another. Plexiglass is another name for acrylic plastic sheets. When considering the differences between plexiglass vs acrylic, the reality is, they’re very similar. Acrylic is shinier and polycarb is stronger. Typically, the only difference is in the way in which the two products are manufactured. It has excellent weatherability and optical properties allowing it to excel in applications requiring outdoor stability, high quality surface appearance and/or precision optics. Our safety program seems simple in terms of how it is implemented. If you’re considering the differences between plexiglass, Plexiglas and acrylic sheeting, the truth is, there are more similarities than differences. These are known as proprietary eponyms, meaning a trade name has become the generic name for a product or service. Most commonly, acrylic transparent sheets are known by the name of one of their most famous brand names called ‘Plexiglass’ with which it is traded. When acrylic was created in the early 1900s, one of the products produced with it was registered under the name Plexiglas. TABLES – Console – … Web Design by, Upgrading Security with Bullet-Resistant Glass, How to Have the Most Energy Efficient Windows. However, over time both materials can lose transparency and clarity. Our AGM goes […], The Clear Choice for Glass in the St. Louis Metro Region, © 2021 Missouri Glass Co | Acrylic also tends to become brittle with the passing of time, and take on a yellowish tint. These properties have allowed acrylic to enjoy immense popularity in manufacturing as well as DIY projects: In other words, it’s a kind of plastic—specifically, polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA). Thus, plexiglass and acrylic plastic are actually the same thing (and will be used interchangeably throughout our article). Additionally, cell cast acrylic typically has fewer impurities such as ripples or specks. We are proud of our safety record and our safety program. Plexiglass itself was created before the registered name of Plexiglas® came about, however, the name plexiglass did not appear until years after Plexiglas® dominated the glass and plastics industries. Scratch resistance is important because the window is exposed to pedestrians that may or may not … In contrast, glass skylights contain seals that come with 20-year manufacturer warranties. Acrylic is 10 times stronger than glass and in the same thickness, Polycarbonate is 100 times stronger than glass. Lucite is an acrylic plastic resin used primarily in windows and fashionable interior and furniture design due to its strength, crystal transparency, and flexibility along with its resistance to UV rays, wind, and water. Plexiglass has a harder surface so cracking becomes less of an issue. Because the process is more time and labor extensive, cell cast acrylic tends to be more expensive, but is typically higher quality and more durable. 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. Acrylic plexiglass is much cheaper than regular glass, meaning you can get thicker sheets for the same price, improving your soundproofing overall. After the reaction has completed and the acrylic has cured, the glass is separated from the acrylic and the acrylic sheet is inspected. Cell cast acrylic is more expensive to manufacture but is harder than extruded acrylic so it is less susceptible to scratching. Poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA), also known as acrylic, or acrylic glass, as well as by the trade names Crylux, Plexiglas, Acrylite, Astariglas, Lucite, Perclax, and Perspex, among several others (), is a transparent thermoplastic often used in sheet form as a lightweight or shatter-resistant alternative to glass.The same material can be used as a casting resin or in inks and coatings, among many other … Getting Employees Interested in Safety Awareness! What is the difference between Acrylic, Plexiglass, Lucite, Perspex, and Lexan or clear plastic? But how can you pick between the two when at a glance you may not be able to differentiate between the two? Plexiglas® with one s is the brand name. Plexiglass has the distinction of being harder than normal acrylic which makes it easier to drill and cut without breakage. As nouns the difference between plastic and acrylic is that plastic is (obsolete) a sculptor, moulder while acrylic is (organic chemistry) an acrylic resin. How can I remove scratches? 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. Plexiglass products are only manufactured using the cell cast process. 1.800.24.PLEXI A&D Client Login / Register. How can I remove scratches? Acrylic Windows vs Glass Windows. However, softer material tends to crack or chip when drilling or cutting it. ... Injection Molded Acrylic vs. Hand-Crafted Acrylic. What is the difference between Acrylic, Plexiglass, Lucite, Perspex, and Lexan or clear plastic? The key difference between Acrylic and Plexiglass is that Plexiglass is a brand name of acrylic sheets. The primary mechanical difference between extruded acrylic and Plexiglass is its surface hardness. Extruded acrylic is manufactured using, as the name suggests, a process of extrusion. Plastic. Additionally, Plexiglass is more chemical resistant than traditional acrylic. You can even purchase multiple sheets of thicker plexiglass and still be saving money over purchasing glass. While glass is cheaper to purchase and more easily recycled than acrylic, acrylic is stronger, more shatter resistant and resistant to the elements and erosion than glass. It is characterized by its very high melt flow. Sometimes these are referred to as generic trademarks. Typically, plexiglass and acrylic products referred to as plexiglass will have very similar qualities. Construction safety is crucial! “Lucite.” Encyclopædia Britannica, … The acrylic is continuously extruded to create sheets of acrylic. Acrylic Plexiglass can be restored to its initial clarity, whereas polycarbonate cannot be. Materials Needed to Cut Acrylic or Plexiglass Sheets. It is characterized by its very high melt flow. Plexiglas and other well known brands are immune even against high UV … Acrylic Plexiglass is available in many standard colors with frosty, milky or glossy finishes. Ideally, you would utilize these methods to insulate your windows before cold weather sets in, but, luckily, most methods are fairly inexpensive and […], Bullet-Resistant Glass is one of many types of safety glass. An example might be a storefront window in which both the characteristics of PC and PMMA are important. It is a glass-like substance that was created by scientists in the early 20 th century. Yellow in the sun? The biggest difference between Plexiglas® and some traditional acrylic is the way they are manufactured. While it offers certain advantages over conventional glass sheets, it also comes with a few limitations. There were a variety of PMMA products available on the market such as Plexigum™ before the product we call Plexiglas® was produced. The surface is more resistant to chemicals, including solvent cements used for gluing Plexiglass together. Rohm was trying to increase the resistance of glass by creating a lamination between glass plates when he created a completely new material, acrylic. The biggest difference between Plexiglas® and some traditional acrylic is the way they are manufactured. Whether you’re selecting windows for new construction, replacing your existing windows or looking for ways to improve the efficiency of your current windows, it’s important to try to make sure you’re working with the most energy efficient windows possible. Will acrylic melt? Therefore, both names indicate the same chemical compound, only the use of these names is different. Acrylic sheeting is usually manufactured using one of two processes: extrusion or cell casting. Acrylic is a transparent thermoplastic homopolymer. This might be true for low quality acrylic. Acrylic vs Plexiglass – the misconception While the terms ‘acrylic’ and ‘plexiglass’ are used interchangeably and many people consider them the same, they are both different. Summary – Lucite vs Acrylic. Product link URL Join Andy Joe Plastic Hero as he tests glass, acrylic and polycarbonate against the force of a baseball bat! Acrylic sheet larger than the size of your project; Use a plastic/laminate scorer to cut acrylic by hand; Use acrylic jigsaw blades to cut acrylic with a jigsaw; Use a 10" plastic cutting saw blade to cut acrylic on a miter saw or table saw; Use a 7 ¼" plastic cutting saw blade to cut acrylic with a circular saw; Use an O flute up spiral plastic cutting bit to … Both of these products are very strong when compared to glass. Acrylic and polycarbonate are two of the most popular clear plastics. Even though the strength of Polycarbonate is higher than Acrylic, Plexiglas is usually excellent for most glazing requirements. ... Rohm and Hass. Acrylic elastomers have been considered as ‘specialty rubbers’ owing to their unique property, i.e., the presence of unsaturated polymer backbone, unlike in many other so-called general purpose rubbers. These two terms are pronounced the same, spelled almost identically, and can be compared to the relationship of tissue and Kleenex. You’re paying for the more substantial manufacturing process and, usually, a product that is more customized to your needs. This transparent thermoplastic makes a great alternative to glass, which is why it is commonly used to manufacture bakery bins, sunglasses, and display risers. Shop By Products. The difference between Lucite and acrylic is that the Lucite is the tradename for polymethyl methacrylate whereas acrylic is the common chemical name of polymethyl methacrylate. Acrylic can be manufactured one of two ways: extruded or cell cast. Will acrylic melt? Now that you know the differences between plexiglass vs acrylic, this should help you plan your use of either product in the future. The material became available for commercial use in 1936 under the protected trademark Plexiglas®. Injection molded acrylic is manufactured by injecting acrylic or polymethyl methacrylate material into a mold. Plexiglas. It is characterized by its very high melt flow. This plastic has unique properties that make it ideal for a variety of purposes, ranging from basic household items to fiber optic cables that power the world. Clear Acrylic Sign Plates. Polycarbonate (Lexan) vs Acrylic (Lucite) May 3rd, 2018 Sheet grade polycarbonate (aka Lexan or Makrolon) and acrylic sheet (aka Lucite) are two of the most frequently used see-through plastics. When it comes to polycarbonate sheets vs. acrylic sheets, they differ in a few key areas, including their appearance, strength, ability to be shaped and cut, and their … Plexiglass is often also referred to as acrylic. Acrylic glass is often chosen as an alternative for laminated glass. The short answer to this is, no, however, some acrylic products referred to as plexiglass will have the qualities the name brand has. With superior resistance to discoloration, impact, and chemicals, acrylic plexiglass sheet is ideal for any application. 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