How to Choose the Right Mica Sheet According to Your Needs (Advertising, Interior, Industrial, etc.)

Mica sheets (acrylic or PMMA) are versatile materials widely used in various fields such as advertising, interior design, and industry. However, not all types of mica are suitable for every application. Choosing the right type of mica according to your needs ensures the best aesthetic effect, durability, and cost-effectiveness. This article will provide a detailed guide on how to select mica sheets for specific purposes.

1. Determine the intended use

• Advertising: For signs, light boxes, raised letters, logos, standees… requiring high light transmission, glossy surface, easy processing, and outdoor durability.
• Interior & Decor: Used in partitions, display shelves, tabletops, picture frames… typically requiring high aesthetics, lightness, easy cleaning, and safety (shatter-resistant).
• Industry & Engineering: Requires mechanical strength, impact resistance, heat resistance; often uses polycarbonate (PC) mica instead of regular acrylic mica.

2. Choose according to the suitable type of mica

Acrylic Mica (PMMA)

• Transparent, glass-like glossy surface, easy to CNC cut, thermoform, UV print… suitable for advertising & interior applications. Light transmission ranges from approximately 92–98%.
• Disadvantages: prone to scratches, can crack under strong impact or prolonged outdoor use without UV protection.

Polycarbonate Mica (PC)

• Extremely impact-resistant, flexible, unbreakable, heat-resistant, and highly shockproof.
• Suitable for protective shields, skylights, industrial applications, or places requiring maximum durability.
• Higher cost and less glossy compared to acrylic.

3. Choosing Based on Origin – Quality

In the Vietnamese market, three common origins of mica are:

• Taiwanese Mica: Most popular due to a balance between quality and price. High transparency (~80%), good impact resistance, slow color fading, easy to process, and safer than Chinese mica.
• Chinese Mica: Low cost, diverse colors, suitable for budget needs and indoor use. However, it has lower durability, transparency, and light transmission (~70%), prone to yellowing and cracking.
• Japanese Mica: High quality, excellent UV resistance, no yellowing, UL94/ROHS safety certified. However, it is more expensive and suitable for long-term outdoor applications and high-quality demands.

4. Specific Criteria for Selection

Sheet Thickness

• For 3D letters, advertising signs: 2–5 mm depending on the desired effect.
• For interior applications like partitions or shelves: thicker sheets, from 5–10 mm, to increase stiffness and stability.
• Prefer cast acrylic if precise machining is needed, as it deforms less compared to extruded types.

Colors

• White mica creates a sophisticated look and is easy to coordinate with different settings.
• Black mica offers a strong style and makes LED lighting stand out.
• Clear mica supports a transparent, modern effect.
• Additionally, there are special colored mica and mica with wood/stone patterns for unique interior decoration.

UV Resistance and Heat Resistance

• For outdoor use, choose high-quality Taiwan mica or Japanese mica with added UV protection.
• Japanese mica resists UV well, ensuring colors remain durable over time.

Fabrication & Installation

• Mica is easy to process with CNC, laser cutting, heat bending, UV printing, making it ideal for illuminated signs, lightboxes, backdrops, and 3D letters.
• For raised lettering, edge finishing and vacuum forming or edge welding are needed for a polished appearance.

Cleaning & Durability

• Acrylic mica scratches easily, so clean gently or choose scratch-resistant coated types.
• Polycarbonate mica is more scratch-resistant and impact-resistant but has a slightly different, glossier surface compared to acrylic.

5. Summary Table for Choosing Mica According to Needs

Choosing the right mica sheet requires careful consideration of the material type (Acrylic or Polycarbonate), origin (China – Taiwan – Japan), thickness, color, UV resistance, and machinability.

• For advertising and interior applications, Taiwanese or Japanese acrylic mica is the optimal choice for both aesthetics and cost.
• For technical applications or environments demanding high durability, polycarbonate mica is a worthy option to consider.

THANH HONG CO., LTD – Specialist in high-quality Mica plastic sheets

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

Domestic calls: 0274 366 9918

Email: info@thacrylics.com