N/A Acrylic materials have an unusual combination of properties, outstanding weather resistance, brilliant clarity, “light-piping” and “edge-lighting” qualities, chemical resistance, smooth, easy clean surface, and ease of forming and machining. Compared to all other types of transparent thermoplastics, acrylic sheet has outstanding resistance to the damaging effects of sunlight and outdoor weathering. These desirable properties of acrylic sheet account for its wide acceptance for varied end uses such as :

• Boat Windshields.
• Commercial Aircraft Windows.
• Display Cases.
• Skylights.
• Architectural Glazing.
• Bullet-Resistant Glazing.
• Sneeze Guards.
• Machine Windows.
• Outdoor / Lighted Signs.
• P.O.P. Displays.
• Pediatric Incubators.
• Transparent Tanks.
• Lighting Diffusers & Lenses.
• Transparent Machine Parts.

N/A There are four manufacturing processes that produce acrylic sheet : cell cast, continuous cast, continuously manufactured, and extruded. Each process yields acrylic sheet products with specific characteristics at varying costs. In addition, all types are available with value-added features such as ultra-violet filtering or glare reduction.

CELL CAST
This type of acrylic sheet is made by pouring a methyl methacrylate mixture between two lites (plates) of glass, giving the sheet a smooth, glass-like surface. Cell cast sheets are made one by one and cured in ovens. There can be slight inconsistencies in the thickness of the sheet from one end to the other because of the contraction and weight of the material during the curing process. Cell cast acrylic provides the clarity of glass at half the weight and four times the impact resistance. Cell cast acyrlic has better mechanical properties than the other types of acrylic, making it easier to machine and thermoform.

CONTINUOUS CAST
This manufacturing method for continuous cast utilizes the same material as cell cast, with the material poured between two stainless steel conveyor belts. Less expensive than cell cast, it offers more uniform thickness, but less clarity.

CONTINUOUSLY MANUFACTURED
An economically priced acrylic sheet with optical properties close to cell cast and the most uniform thickness of all four manufacturing methods. The manufacturing process involves feeding polymethylmethacrylate pellets into one end of an extruder. The pellets are heated to liquid, extruded through a die for an exact thickness, then laid on highly polished rolls to change from a liquid state to a solid state. The polished rolls simulate the smoothness of glass, resulting in its high-grade optical properties.

EXTRUDED
The manufacturing method is like continuously manufactured sheeting, except the melted liquid is pulled out of the die at a given rate. The least expensive of the acrylic sheets, physical properties, optics and thickness are not as consistent as in other methods of manufacturing.