ALL ABOUT ACRYLIC
Q: What is acrylic made of?
Acrylic is a transparent thermoplastic known as polyacrylate and is derived from natural-gas. It is a composition of Methyl Methacrylate (MMA) and Poly Methyl Methacrylate (PMMA) resin. In short, it’s a petroleum-based product, so petroleum solvents and chemicals should always be avoided to prevent marking the surface.
Q: What is the difference between acrylic, Plexiglas, Lucite, Perspex, and Lexan or clear plastic?
A: Acrylic (polyacrylate) is marketed under many trade names including Plexiglas, Lucite, Perspex, Policril, Gavrieli, Vitroflex, Limacryl, R-Cast, Per-Clax, Plazcryl, Acrylex, Acrylite, Acrylplast, Altuglas, Polycast, Oroglass, Optix.
These differ from Lexan which is polycarbonate, and is sometimes used as bullet-proof glass. Although it is more shatter-resistant, it is more expensive than acrylic, yellows with prolonged exposure to sunlight, and is much more easily scratched. Therefore acrylic is more ideal for most interior and exterior design purposes.
Clear plastic can refer to a wide range of synthetic compounds, with varying strengths, melting points, and other properties.
Q: How do I clean acrylic?
A: While acrylic softens at higher temperatures, it does not actually melt until it reaches 320 °F (160 °C). Therefore, normal household use does not risk melting acrylic. Hot stovetop items should only be placed on an acrylic tabletop surface using a protective trivet or other padding, preferably with rubber cushions. As a safety precaution, never place acrylic directly on or next to an open flame or hot surface.
Q: Can I bend or reshape acrylic myself?
A: This is not recommended. Acrylic must be heated in order to mold its shape, otherwise it will crack and break into pieces. However, it is flammable at certain temperatures so heating by open flame is not recommended, and other methods of heating may cause it to adhere to the heating device itself. Only professional technicians with the proper tools and safety equipment should attempt to heat and reshape acrylic items.
Q: Is acrylic the same as “bullet-proof” glass?
A: No, bullet-resistant glass is made from polycarbonate. Trade names for the base material include Armormax, Makroclear, Cyrolon, Lexan and Tuffak. Although it is more shatter-resistant, polycarbonate is more expensive than acrylic, yellows with prolonged exposure to sunlight, and is much more easily scratched. Therefore acrylic is the far better material for most interior and exterior design purposes.
Q: Does acrylic ‘outgas’? Is it toxicologically harmful?
No. When used as directed and in ambient temperatures, acrylic does not pose hazardous nor toxicological effects to health. This material has been classified as non-hazardous under OSHA regulations.