Acrylic (Polymethyl Methacrylate or PMMA)

Acrylic, also known as polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), is a thermoplastic polymer known for its high transparency, lightweight, and resistance to impact and weathering.

Some of the uses of acrylic include:

• Windows and skylights: Acrylic is used in the construction industry as a glazing material for windows and skylights due to its high transparency, lightweight and resistance to weathering.
• Signage: Acrylic is used in the manufacturing of signs, display cases and POP displays due to its high transparency and ability to be easily fabricated and formed into different shapes
• Lighting: Acrylic is used in lighting fixtures and lenses due to its high light transmission and UV resistance.
• Aquariums: Acrylic is used to make aquariums because it is strong, clear, and safe for fish and other aquatic life.
• Medical devices: Acrylic is used in medical devices such as artificial eyes and dentures due to its high transparency and ability to be easily fabricated and shaped.

Some of the benefits of acrylic include:

• High transparency: Acrylic is highly transparent and allows for good light transmission, making it a popular choice for applications such as windows, skylights and lighting fixtures.
• Lightweight: Acrylic is lightweight, making it easy to handle and install.
• UV resistance: Acrylic is UV resistant and will not yellow or degrade when exposed to sunlight.
• Weather resistance: Acrylic is resistant to weathering and can withstand exposure to the elements without becoming brittle or cracking.
• Good machinability: Acrylic is easy to machine and can be cut, drilled, and formed into different shapes

Some potential downsides of acrylic include:

• Limited impact resistance: Standard acrylic is not as impact resistant as other plastics and can crack or break when subjected to significant force. Impact modified acrylics should be used to prevent cracking.
• Limited temperature resistance: Acrylic can become brittle at low temperatures and may crack or break.
• Scratches easily: Acrylic can scratch easily, which can affect its transparency and overall appearance. Frosted acrylic can help minimize or hide scratches

We use several different types of acrylic for LED lenses, tubes and rods, including:

• Clear: Used in optical and Fresnel lenses.
• Frosted: Used to help hide the diodes. Our frosted materials also have similar light transmission to clear acrylic.  They also have a textured finish.
• Diffuse: Similar to frosted, but with a smooth texture. Diffuse can help hide diodes better than frosted, but can significantly decrease light transmission
• Impact modified: Impact modified acrylic helps make the lens more flexible, which is important when snapping into the aluminum frame. Impact modified also helps prevent cracking and splintering overtime in outside applications.  Impact modified acrylics are available in clear, frosted and diffuse grades.