How much do you know about acrylic (polymethyl methacrylate)?

Types of plexiglass (acrylic) sheets: There are many different specifications and types of acrylic sheets. Common types of plates include: transparent plates, stained transparent plates, milky white plates, and colored plates ； Specialty panels include: bathroom panels, cloud panels, mirror panels, fabric-reinforced panels, hollow panels, impact-resistant panels, flame-retardant panels, ultra-durable panels, panels with surface patterns, matte panels, pearlescent panels, and panels with a metal finish. Different performances, as well as various colors and visual effects, to meet a wide range of requirements. 1. Acrylic sheets can be classified into cast sheets and extruded sheets based on their production methods, and they can be divided into transparent sheets, translucent sheets (including colored transparent sheets), and colored sheets (including black and white as well as colored sheets) according to their light transmittance ； Classified by performance, there are impact-resistant panels, UV-resistant panels, ordinary panels, and special panels such as high-impact-resistant panels, flame-retardant panels, matte panels, metal-effect panels, highly wear-resistant panels, and light-guiding panels. A: Cast plate: high molecular weight, with excellent stiffness, strength, and superior chemical resistance. Therefore, it is more suitable for processing large-sized signs and plaques, although the softening process takes a slightly longer time. This type of sheet is characterized by small-batch production, offering unparalleled flexibility in terms of color schemes and surface texture effects, as well as a wide range of product specifications that make it suitable for various special applications. B: Extruded plate: Compared to cast plates, extruded plates have a lower molecular weight, slightly weaker mechanical properties, and higher flexibility. However, this feature is advantageous for bending and thermoforming processes, as the softening time is short. When dealing with larger sheets of material, it facilitates various types of rapid vacuum forming. At the same time, the thickness tolerance of extruded plates is smaller than that of cast plates. Since extruded sheets are produced in large volumes through automated processes, it is difficult to adjust their color and specifications, which limits the variety of product options available. 2. There is another type of acrylic called recycled material board, which is made by using recycled acrylic scraps; through thermal degradation, recycled MMA (methyl methacrylate) monomer is obtained, and this monomer is then produced via chemical polymerization reactions. Through a rigorous processing procedure, pure MMA monomer can be obtained again, with no difference in quality compared to the newly synthesized monomer. However, the degraded monomers produced have low purity, and as a result, the quality and performance of the sheets formed from them are very poor. Summary: Extruded sheets are made from granular raw materials, which are melted at high temperatures and then extruded into shape, whereas cast sheets are formed directly by casting MMA monomer (in liquid form). Although extruded sheets have a smoother and more even surface finish, polymerization takes place during the formation of the granular raw materials. When processed into sheets, its structure and performance are weak, making it unsuitable as a material for outdoor signage; it is only appropriate for indoor applications such as crystal letters or product stands. Furthermore, since most extruded sheets lack UV protection, their service life in outdoor environments is far shorter than that of cast sheets; their color fades over time and they become brittle, eventually breaking. The cast plate achieves structural consolidation during the sheet processing stage, with ultraviolet absorbers added to it; it possesses extremely high strength and UV protection properties, allowing it to last for over 5 years or even 10 years in outdoor conditions, while maintaining its vibrant color as if it were new throughout its usage period. Process characteristics: 1. Polymethyl methacrylate contains polar side methyl groups, which give it considerable hygroscopicity; its water absorption rate is generally between 0.3% and 0.4%. It must be dried before molding, with drying carried out at 80°C–85°C for 4–5 hours. 2. Polymethyl methacrylate exhibits significant non-Newtonian fluid properties within the temperature range of its molding process; its melt viscosity decreases markedly as the shear rate increases, and it is also highly sensitive to changes in temperature. Therefore, for the molding of polymethyl methacrylate, increasing both the molding pressure and temperature can significantly reduce the melt viscosity and achieve better flowability. 3. Polymethyl methacrylate begins to flow at around 160°C, and its decomposition starts at temperatures above 270°C, resulting in a wide processing temperature range. 4. Polymethyl methacrylate has a high melt viscosity and a rapid cooling rate, which causes internal stresses to develop in the finished products. Therefore, strict control over the processing conditions is required during molding, and post-treatment is also necessary after the products are formed. 5. Polymethyl methacrylate is an amorphous polymer with a low shrinkage rate and a narrow range of variation, typically around 0.5%-0.8%, which facilitates the production of plastic parts with high dimensional accuracy. 6. Polymethyl methacrylate has excellent machinability, and its profiles can be easily processed into various sizes as required.

Application scope: The research, development, and use of acrylic sheets have a history of over a hundred years. In 1880, the polymerizability of methacrylic acid became known ； The research on the synthesis of polyacrylate was completed in 1901 ； In 1927, attempts were made to carry out industrial production using the aforementioned synthesis method ； In 1937, the industrial production of methyl methacrylate was successfully developed, marking the beginning of large-scale manufacturing. Thanks to its excellent strength, toughness, and light-transmitting properties, it was used during World War II for airplane windshields and tank periscopes. The most common smartphone screens are made from optical-grade acrylic. Acrylic sheets are mainly used for carving, decoration, and the production of handicrafts; those in extruded form are typically used for making advertising signs, light boxes, and similar items. PMMA has advantages such as light weight, low cost, and easy molding. Its manufacturing methods include casting, injection molding, machining, thermoforming, etc. Especially injection molding allows for mass production, has a simple process, and low costs. Therefore, its applications are becoming increasingly widespread; it is used extensively in instrument parts, car headlights, optical lenses, transparent pipes, and more. In the field of architecture, plexiglass is mainly used in skylights, roofs, canopies, staircases, and interior wall panels. The use of plexiglass in lighting covers for highways and high-speed roads, as well as in automotive lighting fixtures, is also advancing quite rapidly. With the construction of hotels, guesthouses, and luxury residences in large cities, skylights have seen rapid development. Skylights made from acrylic extruded sheets boast high overall structural strength, low weight, high light transmittance, and excellent safety properties, offering significant advantages over skylights made from inorganic glass. In terms of sanitary ware, acrylic can be used to manufacture bathtubs, washbasins, dressing tables, and other products. Acrylic bathtubs are widely used due to their luxurious appearance, sense of depth, ease of cleaning, high strength, light weight, and comfort in use. Acrylic is the best new material that can be used to manufacture sanitary ware after ceramics. Compared to traditional ceramic materials, acrylic offers the following advantages in addition to its unparalleled high brightness: it is tough and not prone to breaking ； It has strong repair capabilities; simply using soft foam dipped in a little toothpaste can restore the fixtures to their original condition ； Soft texture, with no icy chill in winter ； Vibrant colors that can meet the individual taste preferences of different people. Sinks, bathtubs, and toilets made of acrylic not only feature beautiful designs and are durable, but they are also environmentally friendly; their level of radiation is similar to that of the human body’s own bones. Acrylic sanitary ware first appeared in the United States, and since 2008 it has accounted for over 70% of the international market. There is endless potential for the development of various fashionable acrylic products, including handbags, belts, watches, high-heeled shoes, heels, hair accessories, brooches, bracelets, buttons, earrings, necklaces, rings, pendants, photo frames, paperweights, and many more. Due to its high processability, as well as good surface hardness and transparent luster, acrylic material is often used by designers in combination with various other materials for the creation of sophisticated containers. This adds to the aesthetic appeal and practicality of these containers, which are used for items such as lipsticks and cosmetics. It is also employed in other everyday items like massagers, jewelry boxes, and fans. Leveraging the cool feel of acrylic material, combined with creative design, acrylic is perfectly utilized in a wide range of trendy products.

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Acrylic is originally a polymer material; plexiglass is something that is often seen!

The monomer released through intense friction has a sweet smell and is toxic

There aren’t many manufacturers in China that can produce this at the moment; the key issue is technical complexity. We have worked on equipment for projects involving 50,000 tons