PMMA (Poly Methyl Methacrylate) or Acrylic is a synthetic polymer and an engineering thermoplastic. It is transparent, tough, strong, shatter-resistant and lightweight. Due to these properties, it is used as an alternative to traditional glass.
Acrylic is half the weight of glass and has good impact resistance. It is unaffected by extreme climate conditions and is used in outdoor applications. Though it expands and contracts depending on the temperature changes.
Acrylic is more flexible than glass and is a good electrical insulator. Continuous outdoor exposure does not affect its electrical properties. Acrylic sheets clear have a light transmittance of 92%. Acrylic is a combustible thermoplastic therefore it should be protected from flame and high heat.
To clean acrylic sheets you can use mild soap and detergent and plenty of lukewarm water. It should be rinsed with clear water. A clean soft cloth should be used to dry by blotting. If you are using cleaners then you should make sure that they do not affect the surface of the sheet.
Acrylic sheets come covered by paper masking on both sides. Masking protects the sheet while handling and during storage. The masking should not be removed during the fabrication process and during installation.
After the final piece is ready only then masking should be removed. The masking paper can be removed using a cardboard tube and rolling the paper around it.
To maintain the luster of acrylic sheets the edges and the surfaces can be polished. You can use a soft cloth and a very fine abrasive. But this process can be tedious therefore power driven buffing tools should be used. Commercial buffing compounds that are used to polish metals like silver and brass can be used.
Applications
- Acrylic is used for the construction of residential and commercial aquariums. Large aquariums can be built using PMMA.
- It is used in the rear lights and exterior lights of vehicles. It is used to make aircraft windows, lighthouse lenses and more.
- Acrylic panels can be used to redirect sunlight into the tubular skylight and from there into the room. Acrylic panels can be used for daylighting in windows or canopies to direct sunlight on the ceiling or into the room rather than the floor.
- PMMA is used in eyeglass lenses, hard contact lenses, cosmetic surgery, bone cement, modern dentistry and intraocular lenses.
- It is used to make ultra-white opaque membranes that change appearance when wet. It is used in the sign industry to make flat cut-out letters, a company’s logo or a company’s name. It is used as a component of wall signs as a backplate painted on the surface or a faceplate with raised lettering. Photographic images can also be printed directly onto it.
- PMMA is used in roofing and waterproofing applications.
