Acrylic

Acrylic Fabrication and Machining  

Acrylic is a pliable/moldable engineered plastic material that many engineers prefer specifying as it provides a variety of mechanical or thermal properties that outperform more widely used “commodity” plastics (polystyrene, polypropylene, PVC, etc.): 

• Mechanical Properties 
• Durability 10 times greater than glass 
• Dimensional stability 
• Low water absorption 
• High resistance to UV light 
• Resistance to chemicals and contaminants 
• Anti-corrosive 
• Appearance 
• Superior glass-like transparency (can be tinted to appear in a variety of colors or to be made opaque) 
• Also available in metallic colors designed to emulate the appearance of various metals 
• Available with coatings that are antimicrobial, mirrored, and scratch-resistant 
• Sustainability 
• Recyclable/BPA-free 

 As a result, acrylic is ideal for a range of applications, from corneal transplants in cataract surgery to aquariums to windows in airplanes, skyscrapers, and even submarines. 

Acrylic is typically extruded, cast, or continuous casted during the manufacturing process. It can be machined during fabrication using standard CNC machines or through manual operations in order to perform cutting, turning, routing, milling, drilling, and grinding.  Complex shapes are often handled via laser cutting. 

Learn more at our blog on acrylic fabrication.