Is acrylic the same as Perspex and Plexiglas?

Yes. Acrylic, Perspex, Plexiglas and Lucite are all trade names for the same base polymer, poly(methyl methacrylate) or PMMA. Perspex is the most common brand name in Australia and the UK. We supply Perspex branded sheet as well as cast and extruded acrylic from other quality manufacturers.

Is acrylic better than glass?

For most signage and display jobs, yes. Acrylic weighs about half as much as glass at the same thickness, transmits slightly more light, will not shatter into sharp shards, and is much easier to fabricate into custom shapes. Glass still wins on surface hardness and scratch resistance, which is why it is used for high traffic surfaces such as shopfront glazing and tabletops.

How do you cut acrylic without cracking it?

The cleanest method is CO2 laser cutting, which leaves a flame polished edge with no mechanical stress. CNC routing also produces excellent results when the right bit and feeds are used. For DIY cuts, use a fine toothed saw blade and let the blade do the work. Drilling acrylic requires a bit specifically ground for plastics, light pressure, and slow speeds to avoid grabbing and cracking the sheet.

Will acrylic yellow in the sun?

Standard cast and extruded acrylic in Australia is UV stabilised and will hold its clarity for decades in direct sunlight. This is why it is used for outdoor signage, skylights and bus shelters. Some cheap imported acrylic without UV inhibitors can yellow over time. The acrylic we supply is UV stabilised as standard.

What thicknesses of acrylic do you stock?

We stock acrylic from 2 mm up to 25 mm in standard sheet sizes of 2440 x 1220 mm and 3050 x 2030 mm. Common thicknesses are 3, 4.5, 6, 10 and 12 mm. We can source other thicknesses and oversized sheets on request, including coloured, opal, frosted, mirrored and textured finishes.

Acrylic (Perspex / PMMA)

Name: Associated Plastics
Address: 1 Birdwood Ave, Moonah, Tasmania, 7009, AU
Telephone: 1300 198 924
Price range: $$

A glass-clear, easy to work thermoplastic that has been the workhorse of signage, displays and glazing for over 80 years.

Overview

About Acrylic

Acrylic, also known as Perspex and Plexiglas, is a highly versatile and widely used product. Extensively used for signs and displays, it is among the most scratch resistant of all thermoplastics, and its transparency, gloss and dimensional shape are virtually unaffected by years of exposure to the elements. Acrylic weighs half as much as glass but is equal in terms of clarity and up to 10 times more impact resistant.

We stock acrylic in clear, opal, coloured, frosted, mirror, fluorescent and tinted finishes, in both cast and extruded grades. Cast gives the best optical clarity and machines cleanly. Extruded holds tighter thickness tolerances and is more cost effective on larger jobs.

Here at Associated Plastics, there is no need to purchase a whole sheet if you do not need it, we can cut to the exact size you require.

Key Properties

Polymer family: Poly(methyl methacrylate), PMMA
Light transmission: Up to 92 percent (cast clear)
Density: Around 1.18 g/cm3
Max service temperature: Approximately 80 to 90 C continuous
Common thicknesses: 2, 3, 4.5, 6, 8, 10, 12, 15, 20 and 25 mm
Common sheet sizes: 2440 x 1220 mm and 3050 x 2030 mm

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Key Features

What makes Acrylic useful

Optical clarity rivalling float glass, with about half the weight

Excellent UV stability for outdoor signage and glazing

Polishes to a high gloss and accepts adhesives, paint and screen printing

Cuts cleanly on a CO2 laser with a flame polished edge

Thermoformable when heated to around 160 C

Available in cast or extruded grades, plus a wide range of colours and finishes

Applications

Common uses for Acrylic

Illuminated signage faces and pan signs

Retail display cases, plinths and risers

POS holders and brochure stands

Sneeze guards and counter screens

Architectural glazing and skylights

Picture framing and museum vitrines

Aquariums and water features

Trophy and award components

Laser cut lettering and logos

Splashbacks and decorative panels

Boat windows and instrument covers

Light diffusers and lampshades

Pros and Cons

The honest picture

Every material has trade offs. Here is where Acrylic shines and where it falls short.

Pros

Outstanding optical clarity and surface finish straight off the machine
Holds up to many years of direct sunlight without yellowing
One of the cleanest materials to laser cut, producing a polished edge
Wide range of colours, opal diffusers, mirrors and frosted finishes available
Easy to bond with solvent cement for invisible joins

Limitations

Brittle compared to polycarbonate or PETG, and can crack when drilled without proper feed and speed
Scratches more easily than glass, although surface scratches can be polished out
Has a relatively low service temperature, so it is not suitable near hot surfaces
Solvents such as acetone, brake cleaner and some alcohols will craze the surface

Comparisons

Acrylic versus the alternatives

Polycarbonate

Acrylic is stiffer, clearer and cheaper, but polycarbonate is roughly 17 times more impact resistant. Use acrylic for displays and glazing, polycarbonate for machine guards and security glazing.

PETG

PETG is tougher and easier to thermoform but scratches more easily and is not as optically clear. Acrylic remains the better choice for premium retail displays.

Glass

Acrylic weighs about half as much as glass at the same thickness and will not shatter into shards, but it is softer and more prone to surface scratches.

Our Services

How we work with Acrylic

The fabrication methods best suited to Acrylic, and what we do with them in our Moonah workshop.

Laser Cutting

Acrylic is the material laser cutting was made for. We cut up to 25 mm with a flame polished edge that needs no secondary finishing.

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CNC Router Cutting

For thicker acrylic, large format jobs or shapes with internal pockets, our CNC routers handle sheets up to 50 mm.

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Custom Fabrication

We thermoform, line bend, solvent weld and polish acrylic into display cases, covers, dust hoods and bespoke architectural pieces.

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Cut To Size

Standard and bespoke sheet sizes cut to your dimensions, in clear, opal, coloured and mirrored finishes.

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FAQ

Acrylic FAQs

Need Acrylic for Your Project?

Talk to our team about how we can cut, fabricate or repair Acrylic for you. Free quotes, expert advice and Australia wide delivery from our Moonah workshop.

Get a Free Quote Call 1300 198 924