Acrylic is a tough, transparent plastic that is often used as an alternative to glass. Although plastic suppliers sell it under several different names; its composition remains the same (polymethyl methacrylate, or PMMA).
Acrylic plastic is often used instead of glass because it is able to offer several distinct benefits. The most significant of these benefits are:
Impact resistance
With a tensile strength of around 8,000 lbs. per square inch, acrylic plastic has an impact resistance which is up to 17 times greater than that of ordinary glass. Indeed, acrylic is very hard to damage and, even if it does break, it only fractures into large, dull-edged pieces. This makes it a far safer option than glass and therefore it is often used in bath enclosures, shower doors, sliding glass doors and security barriers.
Lightweight
Acrylic is a very easy plastic to handle as it typically weighs 50% less than glass. Indeed, the material’s lightweight nature ensures that everything from shoes and dentures to artificial nails and skylights are either more comfortable or more practical to use.
Weather resistance
The tough, durable properties of acrylic plastic make it an ideal material for applications which have to combat the effects of adverse weather. Indeed, objects like domestic windows and car headlight lenses are often made of acrylic as it is more than a match for year round weather conditions. Acrylic is also a great option for outdoor advertising signs and lettering as it holds up indefinitely to inclement weather and protects all colouring. In addition, plastic sculptors and glass artists often seek out acrylics from plastic suppliers as their weather resistant qualities and light-refracting properties are perfect for outdoor art pieces.
With such obvious benefits, it is easy to see why acrylic plastics are so frequently used instead of glass.
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