Acrylic

Clear strong acrylic plastic is often used as a lightweight or shatter-resistant alternative to glass.

Acrylic is also known by brand names including Acrylite®, Lucite®, Optix®, Plexiglas® (plexiglass), Perspex® and Altuglas®.


What is Acrylic Plastic?

Acrylic finished plastics, including plexiglass, have outstanding resistance to long-term exposure to sunlight and weathering. It has excellent optical properties and is more resistant to impact than glass.In addition, acrylic has low water absorption, good electrical resistivity, and fair tensile strength. Applications are infinite, including art installations, outdoor signs, glazing, aircraft canopies, skylights, auto tail-lights, dials, buttons, lighting applications, knobs, and machine covers. Interstate Plastics offers a wide variety of Acrylic plastics to fit your specific application.

Acrylic, many times called plexiglass, is often preferred because of its moderate properties, easy handling and processing, and low cost, but behaves in a brittle manner when loaded, especially under an impact force. Transmits up to 92% of visible light (3 mm thickness), and gives a reflection of about 4% from each of its surfaces on account of its refractive index. It has a density of 1.17-1.20 g/cm3, which is less than half that of glass. It also has good impact strength, higher than both glass and polystyrene.

[Acrylic Spec Sheet PDF]

[Cutting Extruded Acrylic Sheet PDF]

[Drilling Extruded Acrylic PDF]

[Acrylite Cast Acrylic PDF]

[Framing Substrate Solutions PDF]


  • Outstanding resistance to long-term exposure to sunlight and weathering.
  • Thermoformable.
  • Dozens of color options and variations.
  • Lightweight and rigid.
  • Excellent optical properties.
  • More impact resistance than glass.
  • Low water absorption.
  • Good electrical resistivity.
  • Good UV resistance.
  • Easy to glue, hot air weld and machine.
Acrylic / Plexiglass Applications

Common application include:

  • Glass Substitute: aquariums, viewing ports for submersibles, automobile light lenses, hockey rink guards, riot protection, bullet-resistant glass applications (i.e. banks, gas stations, vehicles transporting valuables)
  • Medical: intraocular lenses, dentures, dental filling, liquid rerouting
  • Aesthetic: furniture, layered painting, photo framing, architectural installations, signage
  • Light Redirection: even lighting dispersion panels, greenhouses, decorative lighting installations, light shelves

  • Optical Displays
  • Merchandising and POP Displays
  • Decorative Paneling
  • Ice Rinks
  • Countertops and Tables
  • Security Glazing
  • Protective Shielding
  • Industrial Glazing
  • Mood Lighting
  • Shower Enclosures
  • Skylights
  • Signs and Signage
  • Artistic Projects
Differences Between Cast & Extruded Acrylics

Acrylic is produced in two basic variations, cast and extruded. Cast acrylic sheet is made to exacting standards. It offers excellent optical characteristics, thickness tolerances, light stability, and low internal stress levels for consistent performance. Extruded acrylic is a continuously manufactured acrylic sheet, resulting in a sheet offering with the easy handling and processing of extruded sheet, along with the high optical characteristics and low stress levels expected of cast products.

Cast acrylic is more difficult to bend and shape versus extruded.

In heat bending and thermoforming, extruded acrylic may behave differently depending on the bending direction relative to the extrusion direction. This is not an issue with cast acrylic. When colored cast acrylic is heated for thermoforming or heat bending, the color may change. Matte-colored surfaces can become clear and clear surfaces can become matte or opaque. In addition, the shade of color may change.

Laser engraving should only be done on cast acrylic to produce a clear engraved image. In laser cutting, extruded acrylic will have a rougher edge, whereas cast is generally smooth.

Cast is more difficult to flame polish versus extruded. Extruded acrylic tends to be more consistent in sheet thickness, while cast can vary as much as +/- 15% in thinner sizes. Cast acrylic is more resistant to the same solvents, as well more resistant to scratching versus extruded

Acrylic Opacity: Opaque, Translucent and Transparent. What do they mean?

Opacity and transparency both deal with the amount of light that can pass through an object, in this case acrylic or plexiglass plastic.

Opaque Acrylic: Opaque acrylic will let minimal to no light through. An opaque piece of plastic will completely block out light when placed in front of a light source. Opaque acrylics are used in applications where a solid color is desired with no light transmission requirements.

Translucent Acrylic: Acrylics that are translucent allow light through, but with significant diffusion or distortion. Usually allowing in the range of 1% to 50% light transmission, translucent acrylic will allow light through, without showing the object behind. For example, the light from a light bulb will transmit through the acrylic, but the bulb itself will not be visible. A person behind a translucent piece of acrylic may appear as a silhouette, or not at all, depending on the light transmission percentage. This is contrasted with transparent plastic, where the object behind would be visible with minimal diffusion and distortion.

Transparent Acrylic: Acrylics that are transparent, also referred to as tinted, allow one to see through them as if there s nothing there. Allowing in the range of 50% to 93% light transmission, images are identifiable just as one would see through a pair of sunglasses. There is a tint, but little to no diffusion or distortion.

Bottom Line: Opaque acrylics let no light through, transparent acrylics let most light through allowing objects behind to be seen, and translucent acrylics allow some light through but with considerable diffusion and distortion.

Physical Properties of Cast Acrylic
Specific Gravity
1.19
Tensile Strength
10000 psi
Elongation % (Rupture)
4.2%
Flexural Strength (Rupture)
16500 psi
Impact Strength
0.4 lbs/in
Rockwell Hardness
M-94
Light Transmission
92-93%
UV Transmission
(@ 320 Nanometers)
0
Forming Temperature
340-380F
Deflection Temperature
(@ 264psi)
210F
Max Service Temperature
180F
Vicat Softening Point
239F
Self-Ignition Temperature
910F
Dielectric Strength, Short Time
430 volts/mil
Water Absorption
(24 Hours @ 73F)
0.2%

*Values listed are typical and are meant only as a guide to aid in design. Field testing should be performed to find the actual values for your application.

Physical Properties of Extruded Acrylic
Specific Gravity
1.19
Tensile Strength
10000 psi
Elongation % (Rupture)
4.5%
Flexural Strength (Rupture)
17000 psi
Impact Strength
0.4 lbs/in
Rockwell Hardness
M-93
Light Transmission
92%
UV Transmission
(@ 320 Nanometers)
0
Forming Temperature
300F
Deflection Temperature
(@ 264psi)
195F
Max Service Temperature
160F
Vicat Softening Point
220F
Self-Ignition Temperature
850F
Dielectric Strength, Short Time
430 volts/mil
Water Absorption
(24 Hours @ 73F)
0.2%

*Values listed are typical and are meant only as a guide to aid in design. Field testing should be performed to find the actual values for your application.

Prop 65 WarningWARNING: This product can expose you to chemicals including Ethyl acrylate, CAS 140-88-5, which are known to the State of California to cause cancer. For more information go to www.P65Warnings.ca.gov.

Product Title
Product Description
Acrylic sheet is 17 times stronger than glass, has excellent clarity, durability, and is lightweight.
Acrylic Sheet - Clear Cast Paper-Masked
Extruded Acrylic has moderate properties, easy handling and processing, and low cost.
Acrylic Sheet - Clear Extruded Paper-Masked
Extruded Acrylic has moderate properties, easy handling and processing, and low cost.
Acrylic Sheet - Clear Film Masked
Acrylic sheet is 17 times stronger than glass, has excellent clarity, durability, & is lightweight.
Acrylic Sheet - Clear Cast Film-Masked
Cast acrylic sheet with abrasion resistant coating on both sides. Lightweight & scratch resistant.
Acrylic Cast Sheet - Clear AR2 Cast Paper-Masked
Acrylic sheet is 17 times stronger than glass, has excellent clarity, durability, and is lightweight.
Acrylic Mirror Sheet - Clear Extruded Mirror
Premier framing grade acrylic sheet.
Acrylic Sheet - Clear FF3 Framing Grade Paper Masked
Museum-quality UV protected acrylic sheet.
Acrylic Sheet - Clear OP3 UV Filtering Framing Grade Paper Masked
P99 Acrylic has a matte finish, non-glare surface, which minimizes reflection for glare-free viewing.
Acrylic Sheet - Clear P99 Paper-Masked
Non-glare Acrylic has a matte finish, non-glare surface, which minimizes reflections.
Acrylic Sheet - CLEAR NON-GLARE Extruded
Clear continuous cast acrylic sheets. Also formerly known as Lucitelux.
Optix-L Cast Acrylic Sheet
Plaskolite Optix prismatic acrylic lighting panels offer excellent efficiency & glare control.
Optix Patterned Acrylic Sheet
Acrylic sheet is 17 times stronger than glass, has excellent clarity, durability, and is lightweight.
Acrylic Sheet - Black 2025 / 9RK01 (Opaque) Extruded Paper-Masked
Ultra-clear blue tinted cast acrylic.
Acrylic Ice Blue 3020 Cast Paper Mask
Acrylic sheet is 17 times stronger than glass, has excellent clarity, durability, & is lightweight.
Acrylic Sheet - Medium Gray 2074 Cast Paper-Masked (Transparent 13%)
Acrylic sheet is 17 times stronger than glass, has excellent clarity, durability, & is lightweight.
Acrylic Sheet - White 7328 / WRT30 Extruded Film-Masked (Translucent 32%)
Acrylic sheet is 17 times stronger than glass, has excellent clarity, durability, & is lightweight.
Acrylic Sheet - Medium Gray 2074 Extruded Film-Masked (Transparent 13%)
Acrylic sheet is 17 times stronger than glass, has excellent clarity, durability, and is lightweight
Acrylic Sheet - Green 2111 Cast Paper-Masked (Transparent 77%)
Acrylic sheet is 17 times stronger than glass, has excellent clarity, durability, and is lightweight.
Acrylic Sheet - Green 2092 Cast Paper-Masked (Transparent 26%)
Acrylic sheet is 17 times stronger than glass, has excellent clarity, durability, and is lightweight.
Acrylic Sheet - Green 3030 Edge Cast Paper-Masked (Transparent)
Acrylic sheet is 17 times stronger than glass, has excellent clarity, durability, and is lightweight.
Acrylic Sheet - Green 2108 / 6K069 Cast Paper-Masked (Translucent 2%)
Acrylic sheet is 17 times stronger than glass, has excellent clarity, durability, and is lightweight.
Acrylic Sheet - Medium Gray 2074 Extruded Paper-Masked (Transparent 13%)
Acrylic sheet is 17 times stronger than glass, has excellent clarity, durability, and is lightweight.
Acrylic Sheet - Light Gray 2064 Extruded Paper-Masked (Transparent 25%)
Acrylic sheet is 17 times stronger than glass, has excellent clarity, durability, and is lightweight.
Acrylic Sheet - Blue 2050 / 5K031 Cast Paper-Masked (Translucent 1%)
Acrylic sheet is 17 times stronger than glass, has excellent clarity, durability, and is lightweight.
Acrylic Sheet - Blue 2114 / 5RK30 Cast Paper-Masked (Translucent 3%)
Acrylic sheet is 17 times stronger than glass, has excellent clarity, durability, and is lightweight.
Acrylic Sheet - Blue 2424 Cast Paper-Masked (Transparent 7%)
Acrylic sheet is 17 times stronger than glass, has excellent clarity, durability, and is lightweight.
Acrylic Sheet - Blue 2051 Cast Paper-Masked (Translucent)
Acrylic sheet is 17 times stronger than glass, has excellent clarity, durability, and is lightweight.
Acrylic Sheet - Blue 2069 Cast Paper-Masked (Transparent 55%)
Acrylic sheet is 17 times stronger than glass, has excellent clarity, durability, and is lightweight
Acrylic Sheet - Brown 2418 Cast Paper-Masked (Opaque)
Acrylic sheet is 17 times stronger than glass, has excellent clarity, durability, and is lightweight.
Acrylic Sheet - Purple 2287 Cast Paper-Masked (Translucent)
Acrylic sheet is 17 times stronger than glass, has excellent clarity, durability, and is lightweight
Acrylic Mirror Sheet - Red
Acrylic sheet is 17 times stronger than glass, has excellent clarity, durability, and is lightweight
Acrylic Sheet - Red 2423 / 3M031 Cast Paper-Masked (Transparent 5%)
Acrylic sheet is 17 times stronger than glass, has excellent clarity, durability, and is lightweight.
Acrylic Sheet - Red 2157 / 3RK30 Cast Paper-Masked (Translucent 2%)
Acrylic sheet is 17 times stronger than glass, has excellent clarity, durability, and is lightweight.
Acrylic Sheet - Ivory 2146 / 1K031 Cast Paper-Masked (Translucent 29%)
Acrylic sheet is 17 times stronger than glass, has excellent clarity, durability, and is lightweight.
Acrylic Sheet - White 7508 / WT020 Cast Paper-Masked (Translucent)
Acrylic sheet is 17 times stronger than glass, has excellent clarity, durability, and is lightweight.
Acrylic Sheet - White 2447 / WRT31 Extruded Paper-Masked (Translucent 55%)
Acrylic sheet is 17 times stronger than glass, has excellent clarity, durability, and is lightweight.
Acrylic Sheet - White 7328 / WRT30 Extruded Paper-Masked (Translucent 32%)
Acrylic sheet is 17 times stronger than glass, has excellent clarity, durability, and is lightweight.
Acrylic Sheet - Yellow 2016 Cast Paper-Masked (Translucent)
Acrylic sheet is 17 times stronger than glass, has excellent clarity, durability, and is lightweight.
Acrylic Sheet - Yellow 2037 / 1RK30 Cast Paper-Masked (Translucent 23%)
Acrylic sheet is 17 times stronger than glass, has excellent clarity, durability, and is lightweight.
Acrylic Sheet - Yellow 2208 Cast Paper-Masked (Transparent 75%)
Acrylic sheet is 17 times stronger than glass, has excellent clarity, durability, and is lightweight.
Acrylic Mirror Sheet - Bronze
Acrylic sheet is 17 times stronger than glass, has excellent clarity, durability, and is lightweight
Acrylic Sheet - Broze 2370 Extruded Paper-Masked (Transparent 11%)
Acrylic sheet is 17 times stronger than glass, has excellent clarity, durability, and is lightweight.
Acrylic Sheet - Broze 2412 Extruded Paper-Masked (Transparent 27%)
Acrylic sheet is 17 times stronger than glass, has excellent clarity, durability, and is lightweight
Acrylic Sheet - Broze 2404 Extruded Paper-Masked (Transparent 48%)
Acrylic plexiglass mirror: 17 times stronger than glass, great clarity, durability, & lightweight.
Acrylic Mirror - Gold
Acrylic plexiglass mirror: 17 times stronger than glass, great clarity, durability, & lightweight.
Acrylic Mirror - Green
Acrylic plexiglass mirror: 17 times stronger than glass, great clarity, durability, & lightweight.
Acrylic Mirror - Gray
Acrylic plexiglass mirror: 17 times stronger than glass, great clarity, durability, & lightweight.
Acrylic Mirror - Rose Gold
Acrylic plexiglass mirror: 17 times stronger than glass, great clarity, durability, & lightweight.
Acrylic Mirror - Blue
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Perfect for dusting, cleaning and polishing easy to scratch surfaces.
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2oz bottles of Novus 1, 2, and 3 as well as a microfiber towel and cleaning wipes.
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10" x 18" microfiber dry cleaning cloth for static and dust control.
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Restore older, deeply damaged acrylic and plastic fixtures.
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Prepares plastic edges for gluing, to repair surface scratches, and to polish surfaces.
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