Chemical Name:

Polymethyl Methacrylate

Abbreviation:

PMMA

Common/ Trade Names:

Perspex®

Properties:

*Colour

Clear, opaque as well as a range of colours and tints

*Form

Rod, Tube, Sheet and Blocks

Applications:

Machine Covers, Machine Guards where impact is not expected. Document Covers, Sight Glasses

Manifolds, Machine Parts, Displays

Machining:

Due to acrylics brittle nature care has to be taken in order to achieve fine finishes, without chipping

Types:

Extruded

Cast – preferred when machining and polishing

Advantages:

Material clarity, Lighter and stronger than glass

Can be bent and formed. Great for displays.

Good scratch resistance.

Disadvantages:

Brittle and will break if impacted. (It is NOT recommended to use Acrylic sheeting as protective machine guarding where an impact can occur!!)

Can crack when drilled

Needs to be polished to obtain clarity after machining.

Chemical Resistance

Unaffected by aqueous solutions of most laboratory chemicals, by detergents, cleaners, dilute inorganic acids, alkalies, and aliphatic hydrocarbons — however, acrylics are NOT recommended for use with chlorinated or aromatic hydrocarbons, esters, or ketones