When choosing transparent materials, plexiglass and acrylic are often mentioned, and many people assume they are the same. Acrylic glass is a lightweight, shatter-resistant thermoplastic material commonly used as an alternative to traditional glass.
This misconception frequently leads to confusion, yet there are subtle differences in their properties, applications, and manufacturing processes.
‘Plexiglass’ and ‘acrylic’ are often used as generic names for the same material, but there are important distinctions due to brand names and trade names. The term plexiglass is often used generically, but it originally referred to a specific brand of cast acrylic sheet.
This article will clarify the difference between acrylic and plexiglass, including the role of brand names, trade names, and generic names, providing authoritative guidance for your purchasing and usage decisions.
What Is Acrylic?
Acrylic, derived from the English term “acrylic” (a type of plastic made from acrylic acid), is chemically known as polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA).
In 1920 the German Rohm & Haas (Rohm & Haas) company produced the first acrylic sheet. This marked the beginning of the development of PMMA products, which quickly found early applications in industries such as aviation, automotive, and construction.
The commonly referred to “acrylic sheet” is actually a PMMA sheet, produced by polymerizing methyl methacrylate (MMA) monomers. Acrylic sheets are also known by other trade names and brands, such as Lucite, Perspex, and Acrylite, which represent high-quality acrylic sheets from different manufacturers.
There are many brands of acrylic sheets, each offering unique qualities and manufacturing processes. Acrylic plexiglass is a versatile, lightweight, and shatter-resistant material widely used in various industries.
What Is Plexiglass?
The name “Plexiglass” originated from the “Plexiglas” brand introduced by Rohm and Haas in 1931, marking the first commercialization of PMMA and driving its rapid adoption in construction, automotive, and aviation industries.
Plexiglas is a other brands name for a specific type of acrylic sheet, known for its high quality and clarity.
Perspex is another well-known trade name for acrylic sheets, widely recognized for its durability and shatter resistance.
With superior resistance to discoloration, impact, and chemicals, acrylic plexiglass sheet is ideal for any application.
Essentially, the relationship between plexiglass and acrylic is akin to that between a brand name and the material itself. Other trade names and brand names for acrylic sheets include Lucite, Perspex, and Acrylite, each representing different brands in the market.
These brands often use different manufacturing processes; for example, Plexiglas and Perspex are typically made using the cell cast or cell cast acrylic method, which results in higher quality and greater durability compared to extruded acrylic.
Types of Acrylic Sheets
Acrylic sheets come in several distinct types, each offering unique benefits for various applications. The two most common types are extruded acrylic and cast acrylic sheets, with clear cast acrylic sheets being a premium option for projects demanding the highest optical clarity.
Extruded Acrylic Sheet
Extruded Acrylic Sheet is produced through an extrusion process, where raw acrylic resin is melted and pushed through a mold to form continuous sheets. This method allows for the creation of acrylic sheets in a wide array of thicknesses and sizes, making it a cost-effective choice for many uses.
Extruded acrylic is generally more flexible and easier to fabricate than other types, which makes it ideal for applications where the material needs to be easily shaped or molded.
Cast Acrylic Sheet
Cast acrylic sheets are manufactured using a cell casting process. In this method, liquid acrylic resin is poured between two sheets of glass and then cured in an oven.
This process results in cast acrylic sheets with superior physical properties, such as increased rigidity and better resistance to minor scratches.
Cast acrylic is also known for its excellent optical clarity and fewer impurities, making it a preferred choice for high-end applications where appearance and performance are critical.
Clear Acrylic sheet
Clear acrylic sheets are a specific type of cast acrylic that stands out for its exceptional transparency and glass-like appearance. These sheets are often used in situations where maximum light transmission and visual appeal are required, such as display cases, aquariums, and architectural features.
When choosing between extruded acrylic and cast acrylic sheets, consider the desired thickness, flexibility, and clarity needed for your project.
While extruded acrylic is generally more affordable and flexible, cast acrylic offers enhanced durability and optical performance, making it suitable for demanding applications.
Plexiglass vs Acrylic:Performance Characteristics
Although the terms plexiglass and acrylic are often used interchangeably, they both refer to the same material: polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA).
The main difference lies in the naming—Plexiglass is a well-known brand name, while acrylic is the generic term for this transparent plastic. Regardless of the name, both materials share a set of impressive performance characteristics that make them a popular choice across various industries.
Impact Resistance
One of the standout features of acrylic sheets, including cast acrylic sheets, is their exceptional impact resistance. Unlike traditional glass, acrylic and plexiglass are shatter resistant, meaning they will not break into dangerous shards if impacted.
Compared to polycarbonate, acrylic is typically more scratch resistant but less impact resistant: it is about 10 times more impact resistant than glass, whereas polycarbonate is about 250 times more impact resistant.
UV Resistance
Acrylic sheets are also known for their UV resistance, which allows them to maintain their clarity and strength even when used in outdoor applications.
Processability
The cell casting process used to produce cast acrylic sheets results in fewer impurities and a more consistent thickness, further enhancing their optical clarity and overall quality.
Thanks to these unique properties, acrylic and plexiglass are widely used in a wide array of settings where a transparent, impact resistant, and durable material is required.
Whether you need a shatter resistant alternative to glass for windows, a clear and attractive display for retail environments, or a material that can withstand the elements outdoors, both the name brand Plexiglass and traditional acrylic sheets deliver reliable performance and versatility.
Manufacturing Process Of Plexiglass And Acrylic Plastic
Since plexiglass and acrylic are essentially the same material, their processing methods are quite similar. Common processing methods include:
Casting
Primarily used to form plexiglass sheets, rods, and other profiles.After forming, a post-treatment is required, typically involving heating at 60°C for 2 hours, followed by 2 hours at 120°C, to improve the material’s stability and quality.
Injection Molding
Acrylic pellets produced by suspension polymerization are used in standard plunger or screw injection molding machines.
Acrylic injection molding products also require post-treatment to relieve internal stress, typically conducted in a hot-air circulating oven at 70-80°C for approximately 4 hours, depending on the product’s thickness.
Extrusion
Suitable for forming PMMA pipes and other profiles that are difficult to produce through casting.
Single- or twin-screw extruders with venting capabilities are commonly used, with a screw length-to-diameter ratio of 20-25.
Thermoforming
Involves processing plexiglass sheets into various sizes and shapes.The material is cut to the desired dimensions, clamped into a mold frame, and heated until softened.
Pressure is then applied to shape it against the mold surface. After cooling and trimming, the product is complete.
Engraving and Cutting
Used for creating intricate patterns and details on already molded acrylic or colored acrylic products, enabling hollowing and engraving for more complex designs.
What Are Plexiglass And Acrylic Used For?
In terms of applications, plexiglass and acrylic have many overlapping uses, but there are also some distinctions.
Plexiglass and acrylic are commonly used as window materials due to their transparency and impact resistance, making them popular alternatives to traditional glass for window panes and glazing.
Plexiglass is often preferred for functional and durable applications such as construction materials, transparent partitions, and protective covers. Compared to other materials, acrylic plexiglass offers superior durability, versatility, and a longer lifespan, making it a cost-effective choice for a wide range of projects.
Its high transparency and impact resistance make it well-suited for curtain walls, sunrooms, sound barriers, and industrial protective shields, where strength and safety are essential.
On the other hand, acrylic plastic is more commonly used in advertising, decoration, handicrafts, and display products, where appearance and aesthetics are prioritized.
Acrylic is easy to process, highly versatile, and can be customized in various colors, making it ideal for eye-catching applications such as signage, display stands, interior decorations, and art installations.
Costs of Plexiglass and Acrylic
Generally, acrylic sheets are more expensive than standard plexiglass.
The price of acrylic sheets typically ranges from 26-28 RMB per kilogram, while the cost of plexiglass varies depending on its application, size, and density.
For example, the procurement price of raw acrylic material can be as high as tens of thousands of RMB per ton, which is reflected in the higher price of finished acrylic sheets.
In contrast, plexiglass is usually priced per kilogram or per square meter, with the specific cost determined by its specifications and density.
For instance, a plexiglass sheet with a thickness of 3mm and dimensions of 1.2m x 2.4m is priced at approximately 250 RMB.
Difference Between Acrylic Sheet And Plexiglass
The biggest difference between plexiglass and acrylic sheets often lies in their manufacturing process, which affects the resulting quality and purity. The difference between acrylic and plexiglass is also reflected in their names.
Any transparent plastic, such as PS or PC, or sheets made from low-quality recycled MMA are generally referred to as plexiglass.
To distinguish between the two, high-quality PMMA sheets made from pure MMA are specifically labeled as acrylic sheets, setting them apart from standard plexiglass.
Second, visual inspection can be used. When comparing the clarity of light passing through, acrylic sheets closely resemble glass with a smooth, uniform texture, while regular plexiglass may show tiny particles or impurities.
Additionally, a burn test can be conducted. When burned, acrylic emits minimal black smoke and has a faint, fruity smell without producing a strong odor.
In contrast, plexiglass often releases a strong, pungent odor and more black smoke, as it typically contains more impurities or recycled plastic additives.
Conclusion
In summary, plexiglass and acrylic share many similarities. As mentioned earlier, they are essentially the same material with different names depending on the application context.
However, they still have subtle differences in performance, processing, applications, and cost.
In practical applications, users should choose the most suitable material based on their specific needs.
We hope this article helps readers better understand the differences between plexiglass and acrylic, providing valuable guidance for material selection in daily life and work.
Additionally, as a leading acrylic sheet manufacturer in China, FOWMOULD can supply high-quality acrylic sheets in various specifications according to customer requirements. Please feel free to contact us for more information.