Acrylic glass is a universal material that is used not only in construction work, but also in the manufacture of furniture, lighting systems, equipment. Also, such material carries the functions of a protective fence in many other areas of activity. This popularity is largely due to its superior performance materials. In addition, acrylic glass is a clean material from an environmental perspective.
Regardless of the presence of a large amount of ordinary glass, which can be resistant to various damages, acrylic material is usually used where there is a chance to break the structures in which it is used. In addition, acrylic glass makes parts lighter.
Characteristics of Acrylic Glass
In our country, acrylic is often called plexiglass. This type of material is synthetics, which contains acrylic resins and various additives, due to which glass acquires some properties. For example, anti-vandalism and the ability to scatter light.
Among other various substitutes for plain glass (such as polycarbonate or transparent polyvinyl chloride), plexiglass has the best transparency. Acrylic glass transmits approximately 93 percent of the light. Regardless of the fact that such a material is not very resistant to surface scratches, its impact resistance is much higher than that of silicate material. The weight is very small.
Acrylic material does not leak electricity and does not change its characteristics even if it is used at a temperature of -40 degrees. Unlike plain glass, plexiglass is a combustible material that can easily ignite. However, toxic substances are not released. Instability in the event of exposure to alcohol and solvent is also a minus that Plexiglas has. At the same time, acrylic glass does not become less popular.
Manufacturing methods
Material is produced by two methods - injection and extrusion. In the first case, the glass is acrylic colored, tinted and frosted. In the second case, transparent material is created. In the injection method, methyl methacrylate and liquid monomer are used.
Initially, a variety of dyes and additives are added to the monomer. This is done in order to be able to give a variety of properties and colors. After that, the composition is cooled and filled with silicate materials. Then the resulting consistency is placed in a specialized frame. After some time, heat treatment occurs in water and air. At the final stage, the sheets are cut to the required sizes. It should also be borne in mind that such a process produces materials whose thickness can reach 24 mm.
With the extrusion method, the use of special granules is assumed. Their composition is polymethyl methacrylate. In other words, extrusion is a way of shaping certain shapes. Granules are fed into special equipment, which has the shape of a cylinder with a screw. It mixes and melts the mass. At the same time, a variety of components are added (dyes, stabilizers and many other ingredients that contribute to improved performance). Last of all, the material is given a certain shape.
All these methods are quite different from each other. As a result of their use, different acrylic glass is obtained. Photos for comparison are easy to find.
Plexiglass Types
- Grandsilk. This kind of organic glass is able to imitate the metallic effect. It can be produced in about 40 different colors. Very often used to create furniture.
- Kamelit. Glass has a glossy surface. It is quite resistant to liquid. It is easy to polish and does not change its color scheme for a large number of years.
- Schine Glass. It has a glossy surface. All properties are similar to the above type of glass.
- Satin Glass. It has a matte finish. Among the shortcomings, fingerprints that remain after touching can be distinguished. Subject to scratches.
- Element Glass. A variety of substances of natural or artificial origin are fused into this material. It is characterized by a wide scope of use.
- Plexiglas SDP. Acrylic glass, which consists of several layers. It is characterized by high impact resistance and weather resistance.
- Frizzz. Material that is matt and velvety to the touch. It is characterized by scratch and dirt resistance. Used in window dressing.
- Acrylic, which has a fluorescent effect. Material having a glossy and transparent surface. The ends glow when exposed to ultraviolet rays.
How to work with PMMA
In order to properly cut acrylic glass, you need a special cutter. It can always be purchased at the construction department. In order to cut the sheet, a metal ruler must be attached to the acrylic sheet in the place where the cut is necessary. Along this line you need to hold the cutter. When the sheet is cut, you will need to break it with your hands. The cut is subsequently processed with a splinter of plain glass or a jointer. For safety, absolutely all work is done with gloves. To cut the sheet along a specific path, you can use a jigsaw.
In order to drill plexiglass, you can use a conventional drill. It is necessary to use a drill for wood or metal. In this case, a wooden beam will need to be placed under the sheet. The angle of sharpening the drill in this case will completely depend on the thickness. It should be more blunt if the sheet thickness is large. The holes for the screws must be made larger than the screws themselves.
If the edges of the drilled object should be transparent, then a metal rod of red-hot metal should be passed through them. In order to bend the material, it must be heated. In this case, the sheet should not touch the flame. After heating, you need to create the necessary shape.
In order to polish a transparent acrylic sheet, it will need to be rubbed with felt. GOI paste is also used. The procedure is performed to shine. After all this, immersion in water is carried out and there is already polishing with sandpaper. In order for the desired result to be achieved, the glass will need to be dried and rubbed again with GOI paste.
For bonding PMMA, use dichloroethane. It must be applied to all glued surfaces, which subsequently need to be pressed to each other, fixing with clamps. You can simply wrap it with a rope or a strip of fabric. When the product is completely dry, plexiglass will turn into a single monolith.
Must remember! Work with dichloertan is required only in a respirator. In this case, a room should be chosen that will be well ventilated.
Acrylic glass is an excellent material for those artists who are passionate about the design of rooms and the creation of not quite standard things. It is characterized by strength. Therefore, glass will be able to please owners for a long time.
What is the scope of acrylic glass?
The scope of acrylic is wide enough. It can be used in the decoration of both civil and industrial buildings. For example, we can talk about window, roofing, arched, horizontal and vertical glazing. The creation of protective fences of various types is also possible.
In addition to all of the above, glass has widespread use as a kind of decorative decoration for lamps and various lamps. On suspended structures, when creating interior lighting, acrylic glass can be used in all these areas. The price of this material is not very high either. If you take, for example, cellular polycarbonate, with UV protection, 3.5 mm thick, a sheet measuring 2.1 x 6 m of domestic production will cost from 1000 rubles.
Advantages and disadvantages
Due to the large number of aspects, acrylic glass can become a unique material, in which the possibilities go beyond the generally accepted framework. Lack of color scheme and transparency can add high opacity. It should be noted that silicate material facilitates the penetration of less light. In cases where it is undesirable to create high light tightness, you can always use painted material.
In addition, acrylic glass has a high resistance to aging, and also neutral to the effects of atmospheric factors. Properties such as mechanical and optical will not change even in the case of prolonged atmospheric exposure. Glass is quite resistant to ultraviolet rays and does not require any protection.
Acrylic glass is easily processed by cutting, as well as hot forming. During processing of the material, certain features must be taken into account.
- Materials exhibit a high rate of thermal expansion.
- There is vapor and gas impermeability.
- The material is sensitive to mechanical influences.
- It has a fairly high susceptibility to thermal radiation.
- From an environmental point of view, plexiglass is an absolutely safe material.