Since they become the replacement of glass (1930s), plexiglass sheets have always offered new and innovative solutions. The first application we remember is that on the aircraft cockpit, where transparent plexiglass sheets were started to be used instead of glass panes. They were lighter and more transparent than glass. In addition, they were much more resistant to shocks and impact, an essential aspect in the construction of aircrafts.
Today I’m asking you if you need to make a lighted sign!? An exhibition stand or an advertising sign!? A transparent skylight!? A protection for the machinery at work!?
A very common solution is to use plexiglass sheets for these applications. Your time and pocket are the ones benefiting! Unlike glass panels, acrylic sheets can be processed (cut, drilled, milled, engraved) with tools and equipment used in wood processing.
Do not forget, acrylic sheets can also be thermoformed, printed and screen-printed. They are an aid for your imagination!
PMMA XT sheets are found under various trade names: Akrylon XT, Altuglas XT, Stiplex, Tucryl, Macryl, Plazcryl, Plexiglas, etc.
Acrylic Sheets Standard Sizes (Plexiglass)
Available colors:
We always have in our stock transparent and opal sheets.
Standard thicknesses and sizes:
The standard thickness of transparent sheets is
1.5 mm, 2 mm, 3 mm, 4 mm, 5 mm, 6 mm, 8 mm, 10 mm, 12 mm, 15 mm, 20 mm.
The standard size of the sheets is 2050×3050 mm
Standard sheet length/width:
The standard width is 2050 mm, sheets with different widths, between 1000mm and 2100mm, can be made for orders of at least 1000 kg per order. For more details, contact us!
The standard length is 3050 mm, shorter or longer lengths can be made only on special requests of at least 1000 kg per order. For more details, contact us!
Thickness tolerance:
Plexiglass tolerances according to ISO 7823-2 are:
- thickness < 3 mm +/- 10%
- thickness >/= 3 mm +/- 5%
Sheets made on special order with different length and/or width than the standard size can help you make significant savings!
Benefits and applications
Applications of acrylic sheets:
- lighted advertising signs
- lighted volumetric letters
- transparent or colored displays
- exhibition stands
- advertising signage
- transparent guards
- transparent skylights or domes
These are the ideal solution for your application because it is:
- the plastic material with the highest light transmission (LT 92%)
- a material easy to process – cutting, drilling, thermoforming, gluing, printing, etc.
- resistant to alkaline solutions and dilute acids
- resistant to impact and UV ray effects
- usable in a wide range of temperatures (-40°C/+70°C)
If the material in your application is exposed to stronger shocks or vibrations, we recommend that you opt for extruded PC sheets, instead of the plexiglass ones!!!
Comparison: Extruded acrylic sheets vs. Cast acrylic sheets
Similarities between cast and extruded PMMA:
– 92% light transmission for transparent sheets
– UV protection
– the occurrence of internal stresses after machining or thermoforming operations.
Differences between cast and extruded PMMA:
1. The extruded sheets have internal stresses due to the extrusion process, which requires prior destressing operations. Internal stresses can lead to cracks, fissures or even sheet breakage/Cast sheets do not have internal stresses caused by the casting process. With common applications, it does not require destressing!
2. The thickness tolerance for extruded sheets is ± 5% for 3 mm thick sheets/The thickness tolerance for cast sheets is ± 0.7 mm (for 3 mm thick sheets)
3. Extruded sheets can be produced as standard in a small range of colors. For special colors, large production quantities (approx. 10 tons) and long production times are required/Cast sheets can be produced as standard in a much wider range of colors. If you need a special color after a RAL or PANTONE code, the minimum order quantity is only 30 sheets.
4. Extruded sheets can also be produced in special sizes, which can lead to significant savings!/Cast sheets can only be produced in the standard size of the mold
- 3-6mm 2050x3050mm
- 8-35mm 2030x3050mm
- 40-60mm 2000x3000mm.
Extruded sheets shrink by a maximum of 6% in the direction of extrusion, and by a maximum of 2% in the direction perpendicular to the direction of extrusion/Cast sheets shrink by a coefficient of maximum 2% in all directions. Cast sheets are much more stable dimensionally!!!
6. Extruded sheets have an average molecular weight of 150,000 mol/gr./Cast sheets have an average molecular mass of 3,000,000 mol/gr, which gives them much better thermal stability and better resistance to cracking when exposed to solvents!
Processing of plexiglass sheets:
PMMA XT sheets can be processed with woodworking machinery.
PMMA XT allows the following operations: cutting, gluing, finishing (polishing the cut edges or finishing the surface), drilling, bending, printing or painting.
In the Processing Manual below you will find all the information required for processing.
Photo Extruded acrylic sheets PMMA
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Referring to: Extruded acrylic sheets PMMA