Plexiglass is a unique material that was created under the Plexiglass brand in the 30s of the last century. Röhm and Haas Company was originally engaged in its industrial production. The new component was widely in demand during the Second World War, given the active development of the aircraft industry, which makes it possible to improve not only the hulls of aircraft, but also the cockpit. The material under consideration has a high level of transparency, strength, and the absence of fragments upon destruction. Additional advantages of plexiglass is the minimal reaction with aviation kerosene and oil, as well as resistance to weathering.
General information
Plexiglass. What is it, the Soviet Union learned in 1936. The material was developed and manufactured at the Plastics Research Institute. In the period from 1941 to 1945. the material was actively used in arranging various types of aircraft, turrets, and some elements of submarines.
Now plexiglass is a component that is used as reliable and lightweight parts in equipping high-speed aircraft, and other similar structures. Fluoroacrylic glasses are used in combination with aluminum and titanium alloys. The temperature regime of the functionality of such compositions is 230-250 degrees Celsius.
It is worth noting that polymer analogues can only partially replace glasses with thermal stability and increased strength. Mostly, such materials are used in composite performance. Further development of aviation involves flights in the uppermost layers of the atmosphere, which requires the observance of special characteristics. Natural plexiglass is used in the creation of such aircraft as the Shuttle and Buran.
Analogs
Plexiglass is not only an acrylic option. There are alternatives created from polystyrene, carbonate or vinyl chloride. The main component of the material in question is thermoplastic resin. Similar components of glass can be called purely arbitrary. In fact, the material belongs to a completely different type, representing an inorganic composite form, performing the functions of glass in a narrow range.
This substance has a number of objective advantages. These include:
- Light weight.
- Use of material as an alternative to silicate glass (we are talking about PMMA).
- This design is softer and safer than ordinary glass.
- There is a high rate of strength and scratch resistance.
Among the shortcomings, it can be noted that plexiglass is a material that is easily destroyed at temperatures above 100 degrees. The product is unstable to alkalis, acids and alcohols. However, this design reflects infrared radiation, ultraviolet light, and also lends itself perfectly to processing with conventional metal cutting tools.
All about Plexiglass
Plexiglas consists of acrylic, polymer and methyl acrylate. The product is made by casting or extrusion. This material is made by introducing identical components into the composition. If it is necessary to obtain an analogue of a product that will be distinguished by additional strength and elasticity, various additives are used that increase the level of these parameters.
Plexiglass - main characteristics:
- Receive the material in two ways. This is standard casting or extrusion. The second option comes from the English word, implying the imposition of several layers of plastic, taking into account its features.
- In the domestic market, injection molding of organic glass is more often practiced.
- The features of the second production method are the production of a polymer filling between two layers of glass, brought to a solid state.
Features and Benefits
What is plexiglass, you can understand from the advantages that it has in comparison with ordinary glass:
- The thickness of the constituent sheets is lower than the possibility of processing them with an extruder.
- The length of the elements is more than analogues.
- In one batch, differences in thickness up to five percent of the expected value are allowed.
- Plexiglass features are manifested in less impact resistance, but greater sensitivity to stress concentration, as well as poor resistance to chemical attack.
Pros:
- High light transmittance.
- The original form, preserved in almost a hundred percent unchanged.
- Resistance to mechanical stress is 5 times greater than that of ordinary glass.
- Plexiglass features are that its mass is almost 2.5 times less than the traditional analogue with the same thickness.
- The product does not require additional supports, which allows you to create the appearance of an open space.
- The material is resistant to moisture, bacteria and microorganisms, can be used for glazing yachts and aquariums.
- The components do not pose an environmental hazard; during combustion they do not emit toxic and dangerous gases.
Other advantages
Among the other advantages of the material under consideration, the following aspects can be noted:
- It is possible to impart a variety of configurations by means of thermal action, as a result of which excellent detail and optical properties of the products are retained.
- Structural processing is no more complicated than working with wood.
- Resistance to any climate, as well as immunity to frost, is noted.
- The pass of 73 percent of ultraviolet rays is no more, while the infrared harmful effect does not pass.
- Passing rays do not cause yellowing and deformation of the acrylic component of the glass.
- The design is resistant to the chemical environment.
- Such glass has the best ability to glue, does not require special efforts during forming, works in temperature conditions from 150 to 170 degrees Celsius.
- The device must be disposed of without harmful environmental effects.
- The material has great shrinkage when heated (6 percent instead of 2, like cast acrylic).
Disadvantages and resistance to chemical influences
Organic glass is a material with certain disadvantages. Among them:
- Exposure to surface deformation (hardness - not more than 190 N / sq. Mm).
- Technological problems in thermal and vacuum processing.
- The occurrence of internal stresses at the points of bends and formations. This leads to microcracks.
- The material is susceptible to ignition (260 degrees - critical threshold).
As for the resistance of the product to chemical reagents, here we can note several nuances:
- Organic glass can be affected by chemicals of various nature, including fluoride and hydrogen cyanide solutions.
- The material is susceptible to attack by concentrated and dilute sulfuric, chromic and nitric acids.
- Chlorinated carbons, aldehydes, esters and ketones serve as solvents for this product.
- Organic glass is also particularly immune to the effects of butane, ethyl and propyl alcohol. With prolonged contact with a 10 percent analog of this type, plexiglass does not interact with it.
Transportation and storage
Organic glass is transported by rail or road. It is transported in covered containers, which complies with the standards of the rules for the carriage of goods. It is not prohibited to transport such products in an open way, however, it requires shelter under a waterproof material. The transportation of this product together with chemicals and their camping equipment is not calculated.
Varieties
The colorless analog has a transparent base with a degree of light transmission of about 92 percent. Most often, semitransparent type variations are used, which differ in significant brilliance on both sides. Such material serves to design industrial and other structures.
In conclusion
Organic glass is subjected to threading, equipping with appropriate compounds, grinding, polishing, various formatting. In addition to the automotive industry, plexiglass is used in ophthalmology, lenses for vision are produced from it for a long time. Intraocular analogues are known for the presence of an artificial lens, which allows you to put people's eyes in order, regardless of age.
Other industries of application of the material in question: lighting equipment, outdoor advertising, including price tags and special stands, as well as for glazing aircraft cabins, aquariums, dielectric parts and containers.