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Clear Acrylic Sheet

Highly Transparent  |  Impact-Resistant  | Lightweight   |  ​​​​​​ Fire Resistance
Highly transparent, letting in about 92% of visible light, and are incredibly impact-resistant, with a tensile strength of around 9,500 psi and an Izod notched impact of 13 ft-lb/in. They are lightweight, about half the weight of glass, and have good fire resistance, with a UL94 rating of V-2. They are used in architectural settings for safety, in industrial machine guards, signage for durability, greenhouses for light transmission, and transportation like aircraft windows for weight savings.

Clear Acrylic Sheet Description

highly transparent, letting in about 92% of visible light, and are incredibly lighting transmission , versatile thermoplastic materials widely used as a lightweight, shatter-resistant alternative to glass.It is 17 times stronger than glass, lightweight, and can be easily machined, drilled, or formed.
 
Clear acrylic sheets are widely applied in Signage & Displays (frosted acrylic for light diffusion) ,home Decor & Furniture (e.g., tabletops, shelves) ,industrial Uses (protective barriers, machine guards) art & Craft Projects (laser cutting, engraving) etc.
 

Clear Acrylic Sheet Properties and Benefits

The properties of clear acrylic sheets are essential for understanding their uses:
Key Proterties
  • Optical Clarity
  1.  Transmits up to 92% of visible light, comparable to glass, but without the glare or distortion seen in cheaper plastics.
  2. Maintains clarity over time, resisting yellowing from UV exposure (if UV-stabilized).
  • Strength & Safety
  1.  17x stronger than glass and 10x more impact-resistant, making it shatterproof and safer for high-traffic areas.
  2. Does not splinter into sharp fragments when broken.
 
  • Lightweight
Weighs roughly half as much as glass, simplifying installation (e.g., signage, protective barriers).
  • Weather Resistance
Withstands extreme temperatures, moisture, and UV rays without degrading (ideal for outdoor use).
Workability
  1.  Easily cut with lasers, CNC machines, or hand tools.
  2. Can be thermoformed, bent (using heat), glued (with solvent-based adhesives), or polished to restore edges.
 
 
Key Benefits
  • Safety & Durability
  1. Shatterproof: 17x stronger than glass and 10x more impact-resistant, making it ideal for high-traffic areas, safety barriers, or children’s environments.
  2. Lightweight: Half the weight of glass, reducing installation risks and costs (e.g., large skylights, signage).
 
  • Optical Clarity & Aesthetics
Crystal-Clear Transparency: Transmits 92% of visible light (like glass) but with minimal glare or distortion.
UV Resistance: UV-stabilized options resist yellowing and degradation outdoors (e.g., greenhouses, outdoor signage).
  • Weather & Chemical Resistance
Outdoor Use: Withstands rain, humidity, and temperature swings without warping or cracking.
Moisture Resistance: Low water absorption prevents mold or rot (suitable for bathrooms, aquariums).
  • Easy Fabrication & Customization
Machinability: Cut with standard tools (lasers, saws), bend with heat, glue with solvents, or polish edges.
Thermoforming: Can be shaped into curves for architectural designs (e.g., displays, domes).
  • Cost-Effective
Lower Installation Costs: Lightweight nature reduces labor and structural support needs.
Long Lifespan: Resists scratches, weathering, and breakage, minimizing replacements.
  • Versatile Applications
Indoor/Outdoor Use: Ideal for windows, partitions, protective sneeze guards, and art installations.
DIY-Friendly: Easily cut for crafts, picture frames, or custom shelves.
  • Thermal Insulation
Better insulator than glass, reducing energy costs in windows or greenhouses.

Types of Clear Acrylic Sheets

Clear acrylic sheets come in various types, each tailored for specific needs:
  • Optical Clear:Transmits 92–93% of visible light and low haze (<1%), ensures minimal light scattering or distortion, critical for lenses, displays, and optical devices.
  • Standard Clear: Basic type for general purposes, offering clarity and strength without special features.
  • Machine Grade: Designed for precision applications, with less internal stress for machining, ensuring tight tolerances in fabrication.
  • Glass Filled: Enhanced with glass fibers for increased strength and stiffness, used in high-stress industrial environments.
  • Carbon Filled: Includes carbon for conductivity, useful in electronic applications needing static electricity dissipation.
  • Laminated : fusing 2+ layers of acrylic or combining acrylic with other materials like polycarbonate, films, or colored interlayers.
                                 Layers may include UV-resistant coatings, decorative patterns, or functional additives.

Clear Acrylic Sheets Specifications

  • Available thickness range: 1mm-25mm for extruded sheets, 30mm to over 100mm for cast sheets
  • Sheet dimensions: 1220x2440mm, 1830x2440mm, 2050x3050mm or customize
  • Weight: Density 1.2kg/sqm, half weight of glass.

Comparison with Other Materials

A detailed comparison helps in choosing the right material:
 
  • Glass: Polycarbonate is stronger, lighter, and more impact-resistant, but more expensive and less scratch-resistant. Glass breaks suddenly, while polycarbonate stretches, reducing shatter risk.
  • Polycarbonate Sheets: Acrylic has better scratch resistance and clarity but lower impact resistance. Polycarbonate wins in strength and temperature resistance, with acrylic being cheaper but less durable.
    • Other Plastics: PVC or PET lack the same transparency and strength combination, making polycarbonate stand out, as noted in general plastic comparisons.

Clear Acrylic Sheets Applications Across Industries

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    Architectural

     
    Used inskylights, and doors for safety, Skylights, partitions, shower doors, swimming pools.
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    Industrial

     
    Machine guards and safety shields protect workers, with examples in factories for visibility and safety, also used in safety goggles or face shields.
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    Display

     
    Durable and clear, used in retail for display signs that withstand weather and vandalism, ensuring long-term visibility.
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    Acoustic Barrier

     
    Designed to reduce the amount of noise reaching sensitive areas from noisy environments.
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    Furniture

     
    In aircraft windows for weight savings and strength, and in car headlight lenses or taillights for durability.

Clear Acrylic Sheet Manufacturing Process

The manufacturing process involves extrusion, where PMMA resin is melted and forced through a die to form sheets of desired thickness. The sheet is then cooled and cut to size, ensuring uniformity and consistent properties.

Clear Acrylic Sheet Installation and Maintenance

Installation involves cutting with standard tools like saws or routers, and drilling with sharp bits for plastic. Maintenance includes cleaning with mild detergents, avoiding abrasives, and polishing to restore clarity if scratched, as per general installation guides from ANDISCO Sheet Installation .

Clear Acrylic Sheet Environmental Impact

Acrylic is recyclable, with some sheets made from recycled materials, supporting sustainability. This was highlighted in environmental discussions from Simply Plastics, emphasizing their eco-friendly potential.

Clear Acrylic Sheet Future Trends

Ongoing research aims to improve UV resistance and add antimicrobial properties, with potential new applications in construction and personal protective equipment.

Clear Acrylic Sheet Safety Considerations

Handle carefully to avoid scratches, wear protective gear like gloves and eye protection during cutting or drilling. While fire-resistant with a UL94 V-2 rating, follow safety protocols.

Polycarbonate Sheet FAQ

  • 1. Is Pre-Processing Required for polycarbonate Materials?

    A

    Yes. PC is hygroscopic and must be dried at 120-130°C for 3-4 hours (moisture content <0.02%).

    Our Advantage: Pre-dried customized materials available with guaranteed moisture compliance, reducing your production energy costs.

  • 2. Can Polycarbonate Be Combined with Metals for Hybrid Hardened Structures?

    A

    Yes. Our Metal-PC Direct Bonding Technology enables:

    • Overmolding：Aluminum/PC composite parts with peel strength >8 MPa

    • Laser Welding：Stainless steel reinforcement for load-bearing joints

    • Benefits：

      • 50% weight reduction vs. all-metal parts

      • IP67 sealing without adhesives

  • 3. Can Polycarbonate Be Precision-Machined? Key Considerations

    A

    PC excels in CNC machining for prototyping and low-volume production. Achieve <0.01mm tolerances with our guidelines:

    Tooling Selection

    • Cutting Tools:

      • Carbide end mills with polished flutes (15° helix angle)

      • Diamond-coated drills for hole consistency (Aerospace Standard AS9100 compliant)

    • Geometry:

      • 2-flute for roughing (chip clearance optimization)

      • 4-flute for finishing (Ra <0.8μm achievable)

    Machining Parameters

    Operation Speed (SFM) Feed (mm/tooth) Depth of Cut (mm)
    Milling 300-500 0.05-0.15 ≤2×tool diameter
    Drilling 200-400 0.03-0.08 Peck drilling cycle
    Engraving 600-800 0.01-0.03 0.1-0.3

    Pro Tip: Use compressed air cooling (no lubricants) to prevent stress cracking.

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    Engineered for Your Demond

    ANDISCO is a vertically integrated leading manufacturer that offers polycarbonate & acrylic products' end-to-end process service .From material formulation to final assembly, we ensure superior quality, durability, and customization, backed by proprietary technologies and expert collaboration.
    As a vertically integrated manufacturer, we control the entire process from proprietary material formulation to finished product assembly, offering tailored, high-performance polycarbonate and acrylic products.

    Contact Us

    Add: 1st Floor, Workshop 2, No.15, ChunshanRoad, Chunjiang Street,  Xinbei District, Jiangsu Province
    Tel: +86-156 51226398/13801503869
    Sales Service: andisco001@esdacrylic.com
    Technical Support: info@polyteching.com
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