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When considering the differences between plexiglass and acrylic sheet, the reality is that they are very similar. But there are some significant differences. Let's break down what Plexiglas, acrylic and the mysterious third competitor, Plexiglas, are and the differences between them.
Acrylic is a transparent, thermoplastic homopolymer. In other words, it is a plastic - specifically, polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA). Although it is typically used in sheet form as a replacement for glass, it is also used in a variety of other applications, including casting resins, inks and coatings, medical devices, and more.
While glass is cheaper and easier to recycle than acrylic, acrylic is stronger, more resistant to breakage, the elements and corrosion than glass. Depending on how it is manufactured, it can be more scratch resistant than glass, or it can be very scratch and impact resistant.
As a result, acrylic is used in many applications where you might expect glass to be used. For example, eyeglass lenses are often made of acrylic. For example, eyeglass lenses are often made of acrylic because, in addition to being less reflective than glass, acrylic can be more scratch-resistant and shatter-resistant, which can reduce the amount of glare.
Plexiglass is a clear acrylic sheet used specifically as a generic term to refer to several different products manufactured under different names, including the original trade name Plexiglas. When acrylics were created in the early 1900s, one of the products made with it was registered as Plexiglas.
If you are considering the differences between Plexiglas, Plexiglas and acrylic sheets, the truth is that there are more similarities than differences. Typically, the Plexiglas and acrylic products known as Plexiglas will have very similar qualities. Usually, the only difference is in the way the two products are manufactured. Acrylic sheets are usually manufactured using one of two processes: extrusion or cell casting. As the name implies, extruded acrylic is manufactured using an extrusion process. The acrylic is continuously extruded to form the acrylic sheet.
The cell casting process, on the other hand, involves pouring unreacted acrylic resin between two pieces of glass, thus forming a cell. After the reaction is complete and the acrylic has cured, the glass is separated from the acrylic and the acrylic sheet is inspected. Cell casting acrylic tends to be more expensive because the process requires more time and labor. Plexiglass products are manufactured using the cell casting process only. Therefore, you pay more for Plexiglas products.
This should help you plan for future use of both products. If you are interested in learning more about acrylic panels, please contact LINGBIAO for a quote.
