What is acrylic?
Acrylic, commonly known as the brand name Perspex®, is a transparent thermoplastic with excellent strength and optical clarity and is thus widely used as a glass substitute; though it outperforms glass in several aspects.
Similar in characteristics to Polycarbonate, Acrylic plastic has a lower impact strength but still boasts 10-24 times the impact resistance of glass. It is also more flexible and lighter than glass.
Acrylic can present some challenges in machining but Penta Precision has decades of acrylic machining experience so you are in safe hands.
Cast Acrylic is preferable over Extruded Acrylic for machining purposes as it is more rigid and less prone to stress cracking after machining.
As well as a sharp cutting edge and slow feed rates, we also use plenty of coolant to aid lubrication, remove swarf and help keep the acrylic below its melting point.
You may also see Acrylic referred to as:
- Trade names: Perspex, ACRYLITE®, Plexiglas®, Polycast, Lucite®, Optix®, Crystallite, Acryglas XT®, Kerrock®, Seta-LED®, Acrycast®, Setasand®, Green Cast®
- PolyMethyl MethAcrylate (PMMA)
Main attributes
- Excellent optical clarity and light transmission properties
- Abrasive resistance comparable to aluminium
- Good chemical resistance
- Good flexural strength
- Around half the weight of glass and easier to process
- Readily available and reasonability cost effective
- Excellent weatherability and resistance to sunlight
- Excellent dimensional stability
- Subject to stress cracking
- Combustible
- Available in transparent or opaque forms
- More flexible and shock resistant than glass
- Good insulator
- Good acoustic properties (can act as sound barrier)
- BPA free
- Easy to solvent bond
- UV resistant
- FDA Compliant grades available
- Available in all colours imaginable
- 100% recyclable
- Available with a range of coatings including abrasion resistant, bullet resistant and electrostatic dissipative (ESD)
Common Applications
- Transparent manifolds
- Glass alternative
- Guards
- Computer & appliance housings
- Electrical components
- Aircraft structures & fittings
- Appliance & household items
- Lenses
- Car parts (exterior, windows, trim)
- Reflectors & lighting fixtures
- Furniture components
- Toys
- Signage & displays
- Medical devices & equipment
- Enclosures
- Sound barriers
Note for designers
Although Acrylic has similar properties to polycarbonate and is used in similar applications (i.e. as impact resistant alternative to glass), it can be used when the extremely high impact strength of polycarbonate is not required. It is also BPA free which polycarbonate is not typically (although BPA-free polycarbonates are becoming available).
Once machined, Acrylic will become frosted. It will therefore require polishing to restore clarity. This process needs to be factored into time and cost. Please see the ‘finishing & treatments’ tab for further information about the processes we can facilitate.
Finishing & treatments
Vapour polishing – to reduce surface roughness and improve optical clarity
Mop polishing – to improve surface finish and appearance. Requires removal of material
Heat annealing - to ensure continued stabilitiy over time
See our Finishing Processes page for further information on services that we can facilitate.
UK stock sizes
Please note we do not supply stock material, the information provided is purely for design and research purposes.
Acrylic is a readily available engineering plastic. It is available in a wide range of sizes and thicknesses in both extruded and cast sheet, rod and tube. There are solid and opaque variations as well as an extensive range of colours.
Example Acrylic Stock Sizes
Stock sizes will vary depending on supplier. Please get in contact to discuss further.
| Type | Size | Length |
| Rod | Ø2 - Ø200mm in 2mm increments | 3,000mm and 2,000mm |
| Sheet | 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 15, 20 and 25mm thickness | 3,000mm and 2,000mm |
| Block | 35, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80mm thickness | 3,000mm and 2,000mm |
Technical properties
Cast Acrylic Tube & Rod Properties (clear/translucent)
Mechnical properties
| Mechanical Properties | Value | Parameter | Norm |
| Modulus of Elasticity | 3300 MPa | 23°C | D790 |
| Tensile Strength | 110 MPa | -40°C | D638 |
| 80 MPa | 20°C | D638 |
| 40 MPa | 70°C | D638 |
| Elongation at Break | 5.5% | | DIN 53455 |
| Flexural Strength | 115 MPa | 80x10x4mm3 | D790 |
| Compressive Yield Stress | 110 MPa | | |
| Impact Strength (Charpy) | 15 kJ/m2 | | DIN 53453 |
| Notched Impact Strength (IZOD) | 1.6 KJ/m2 | | DIN 53453 |
| Indentation Hardness | 175 MPa | 961/30 | DIN 53456 |
Thermal properties
| Thermal Properties | Value | Parameter | Norm |
| Forming Temperature | 160-175°C | | |
| Ignition Temperature | 425°C | | DIN 51794 |
| Heat Deflection Temperature Under Load | 105°C | 1.8 MPa | |
| 113°C | 0.45 MPa | |
| Service Temperature | 80°C | Max | |
| Thermal Expansion (CLTE) | 0.07 mm/m°C | | DIN 53752 |
| Specific Heat | 1.47 J/(g*K) | | |
| Thermal Conductivity | 0.19 W/(K*m) | 20°C | DIN 52612 |
Electrical properties
| Electrical Properties | Value | Parameter | Norm |
| Volume Resistivity | >1015Ω. cm | | DIN VDE 0303 |
| Dielectric Strength | ~30 kV/mm | 1mm | DIN VDE 0303 |
Other properties
| Other Properties | Value | Parameter | Norm |
| Water Absorption | 41 mg | 24h (20°C) | DIN 53495 |
| Flammability | B2 | >2mm | DIN 4102 |
| Density | 1.19 g/cm3 | | |
Cast Acrylic Sheet Properties (clear/translucent)
Mechanical properties
| Mechanical Properties | Value | Norm |
| Modulus of Elasticity (tensile test) | 3000-3400 MPa | ISO 527 |
| Tensile Strength | 72 MPa | ISO 527 |
| Elongation at Break | 4-6% | ISO 527 |
| Flexural Strength | 125 MPa | ISO178 |
| Compression Strength | 120 MPa | ISO604 |
| Impact Strength | 12-15 kJ/m2 | ISO 179-1 |
Thermal properties
| Thermal Properties | Value | Norm |
| Heat Stability - Vicat B | 110°C | ISO 306 |
| Forming Temperature | 130-190°C | |
| Service Temperature (MAX) | 80°C | |
| Thermal Expansion (CLTE) | 0.07M/mm°C | ISO 11359-2 |
| Specific Heat | 1.47KJ/kg°C | ISO 11357-4 |
| Thermal Conductivity | 0.19W/m°C | DIN 52612 |
Electrical properties
| Electrical Properties | Value | Norm |
| Volume Resistivity | 1015Ω*cm | DIN 53482 |
| Dielectric Strength | 20-25 kV/mm | DIN 53481 |
Other properties
| Other Properties | Value | Parameter | Norm |
| Water Absorption | 0.30% | 24h | ISO 62 |
| Density | 1.2 g/cm3 | | |
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