All About Acrylic Sheets: Properties, Advantages, Disadvantages, and Classifications
Acrylic sheets, also known as plexiglass or PMMA sheets, are a type of synthetic plastic made from methyl methacrylate (MMA). First developed in the 1930s, they are now produced by many renowned brands such as PS (Japan), Fu Sheng (Taiwan), and SH (China). Featuring a smooth surface that can be transparent or available in a wide range of colors, acrylic sheets are widely used in advertising, interior design, and as an alternative to traditional glass thanks to their lightweight nature, durability, and ease of fabrication.
1. Classification of Acrylic Sheets
However, to be more precise, we need to distinguish between two concepts: natural mica and synthetic acrylic (PMMA) mica.
Natural mica is a type of mineral with a sheet-like structure, known for its excellent electrical insulation and heat resistance. There are several types of natural mica, such as muscovite, biotite, and phlogopite. However, it is rarely used in industrial applications due to limitations in purity and sheet size.
Synthetic mica (Acrylic, PMMA) is the most commonly used type today. It is made from acrylic plastic (Poly Methyl Methacrylate) and is characterized by its transparency, durability, light weight, and ease of fabrication.
2. Acrylic Sheet Specifications
Below is the current technical specification table for acrylic sheets:
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Standard Size |
1.22m × 2.44m (can be cut to custom sizes) |
Thickness |
Range from 1mm to 50mm. Common thicknesses include 2mm, 3mm, 5mm, 8mm, 10mm, 15mm, and 20mm. |
Density |
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3. Key Features of Acrylic Sheets
Acrylic sheets are increasingly used in various industries thanks to the following standout characteristics:
Drawbacks of Acrylic Sheets
Nowadays, acrylic sheets on the market are highly diverse and are categorized into different groups based on specific criteria.
By Origin
Depending on the manufacturer and quality standards, acrylic sheets are divided into
Taiwanese Acrylic |
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Chinese Acrylic |
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Japanese Acrylic |
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Transparent Acrylic: Offers high light transmission, often used as a glass substitute thanks to its light weight, high safety, and ease of fabrication.
By Thickness
Depending on the intended use, acrylic sheets are manufactured in various thicknesses, most commonly:
With many advantages such as high transparency, good durability, light weight, and ease of fabrication, acrylic (PMMA) is increasingly popular across multiple fields, from advertising and interior design to industrial applications. While it has certain limitations—such as being prone to scratches and having low heat resistance—choosing the right type of acrylic for the intended purpose makes it an effective and economical material.
Understanding its properties, classifications, and applications will help you make the right decision when selecting acrylic for your construction and design projects.
THÀNH HỒNG CO., LTD – Specializing in High-Quality Acrylic Sheet Manufacturing
Address: Street No. 3, Song Than 3 Industrial Park, Phu Tan Ward, Thu Dau Mot City, Binh Duong Province, Vietnam
Website: https://thacrylics.com/vn/
Hotline:
International Calls: +84 274 376 4298
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Mail: info@thacrylics.com