Clear Acrylic Sheet

Custom Fabrication, Competitive Pricing, For Standard, Small Package Items

Clear acrylic sheets, also known as plexiglass or prespex glass, are transparent thermoplastic sheets that are lightweight, durable, and versatile. Clear acrylic sheets offer excellent optical clarity, making them a popular choice for a wide range of applications where transparency is required.

Acrylic is 17 times more impact resistant than glass and is practically shatterproof. It has a glass-like clarity but is 50% lighter in weight in comparison.

Excelite acrylic clear sheet offers a versatile and durable solution with exceptional transparency and high abrasion resistant for a wide range of applications.

Excelite, as acrylic sheet supplier, we stock wide range of clear plexiglass sheet, frosted acrylic sheet, tinted acrylic sheet and acrylic mirror sheet.

We supply, cut to size, and deliver the highest quality plexiglass.

Our plastic sheets are available in various thicknesses, including 1mm acrylic sheet to 10mm, 12mm and super thick acrylic plastic, size at 1220*2440mm.

If you require thick acrylic sheets for aquarium or infinity pools, we recommend cast acrylic sheet, and we also have different thickness inventory. Pls find here.

What is the difference between cast acrylic sheets and extruded acrylic sheets?

Cast Acrylic Sheets

Manufactured by mixing and heating to form a liquid acrylic mixture, and poured into the casting mold, where evenly to form a uniform sheet.

It has better thermal stability, higher resistance to cracking, good thermoforming range, is UV-resistant, and has greater scratch tolerances.

It is completely transparent and has excellent optical clarity.

Cast acrylic can easily be shaped, machined, and laser-cut.

Extruded Acrylic Sheets

Extruded acrylic sheet is a type of acrylic material that is manufactured through an extrusion process. In this process, acrylic polymer are heated and melted being pushed through a die to form a continuous sheet. It yields a material with a more even thickness throughout the sheet.

It is lightweight, stronger than glass, UV resistant, has good clarity and is transparent, and is the more cost-effective of the acrylic options.

Extruded acrylic also has good malleable properties making it easier to mold and bend. It can also be machined and laser cut.

Acrylic Sheets Cutting And Fabrication

Plexiglass sheets can be easily cut to size, but it is essential to note that they are more easy to crush when compared to polycarbonate. There are various processing methods such as drilling, sawing, milling, polishing, and fabrication can be employed for machining acrylic sheets.

At Excelite, we provide cut-to-size and comprehensive custom services for our customers. We guarantee precision cutting sizes and tight tolerances for our products. Whether you require a small trial quantity or shipping in your final sizes, we can accommodate your needs.

Drilling acrylic/plexiglass Sheets

The drill bit selection depends on the thickness of the acrylic sheet and the required hole diameter.
Cast acrylic is preferable for drilling over extruded acrylic due to its released internal tension.
Cast acrylic sheets offer more stable dimensions compared to extruded acrylic.
Thinner acrylic panels are more prone to breaking and tearing than thicker plates.
Avoid rushing when drilling plexiglass as it is brittle, quick drilling can cause breakouts and cracks.
Using a drill press and a standard iron drill bit is recommended as the best machining tool for drilling acrylic sheets.

Sawing Acrylic / Plexiglass Sheets

We highly recommend a circular saw, table saw, or saw table with a fine-toothed saw blade for machining plexiglass sheets. But do not use a jigsaw blade for extruded acrylic sheet.

Sanding Acrylic / Plexiglass sheets

In most of applications, people need to get a matte surface, or smooth edges in high traffic areas, sanding acrylic before final polishing is necessary.

Cast acrylic can be sanded with heavy machinery, while extruded acrylic should not be sanded aggressively to avoid built-up stress and poor results.
Tools for sanding acrylic include heavy-duty belt sanders, flatbed sanders, multi-sanding tools, delta sanders, and lighter belt sanders for DIY projects.
For manual sanding, wrap sandpaper around a block for controlled sanding.

Polishing Acrylic / Plexiglass Sheets

Polishing acrylic sheets enhances the appearance of the edges, providing a shiny finish. Whether through flame polishing, buff polishing, or machine polishing, there are various methods to achieve a glossy shine effect on the edges.

Bending Acrylic/Plexiglass

Hot Bending

Acrylic sheets can be formed into almost any shape. It provides highly freedom to get ideas.

Two primary heating techniques are surface heating and linear heating, each providing specific benefits depending on the desired outcome.

Heating can be accomplished using different methods, such as air-flow ovens, infrared radiation, or hot plates, with infrared heating being the most popular.

It is important to remove any protective film from the sheet prior to heating to prevent damage post-cooling.

After forming the acrylic sheets, it should be allowed to cool slowly in a stable environment to maintain its shape and structural integrity.

Cold Bending

Unlike polycarbonate, Acrylic/Plexiglass sheets are relatively brittle, so it is important to avoid applying excessive pressure when cold bending them to prevent cracking.

After cold bending acrylic sheets, clamp the material in a mold or frame to avoid it from springing back to the original shape of the plate.
Recommended Minimum Radii of Curvature for Cold-formed Acrylic Sheets

Thickness(mm)	Cast Acrylic Sheets	Extruded Acrylic Sheets
1.5	NA	18
2.5	NA	29
3	21	35
4.5	32	53
6	42.5	71
8.5	60	100
12	86	143

Radii of curvature less than those specified may exceed the design stress limits for the material, resulting in crazing.
NA = Not Applicable.

Clear Acrylic Sheet

Looking to transform your vision into a tangible product? At Excelite Plastics, we know that every project is unique.

Optical Acrylic Sheet

This clear acrylic sheeting comes in various thicknesses and offers incredible strength, optical clarity, and versatility for various applications like signage, photo frame, windshields, etc

Perspex Aquariums

Excelite offers ultra-thick acrylic sheets and assists in designing and manufacturing swimming pools, Perspex aquariums, custom acrylic aquariums, and acrylic fish tanks.

Cast Acrylic Sheet

Cell cast acrylic sheets provide exceptional optical clarity, UV resistance, and easy machinability. With up to 93% light transmission, 30 times the impact strength of glass.

We help you achieve the product you want.

DIY projects with precision-cut acrylic products and accessories!

Easily buy custom-cut acrylic sheets and all the essentials you need.

Shop now for quality materials and start creating!

What Thickness Of Acrylic Sheet Should I Choose For My Application?

With impact resistance 30 times stronger than glass, it’s perfect for signage, picture frames, secondary windows, and endless creative projects. The cost of acrylic sheet is much cheaper than glass, also it’s cheaper than polycarbonate sheet.

Thinner acrylic sheets(1mm-2mm) are suitable for applications such as picture frames, signage, light covers, secondary glazing and craft projects.

It is a great upgrade from standard frames which provides added protection and crystal clear clarity for your print.

Clear acrylic sheet effectively blocks up to 99% of UV light rays to protect against fading and help keep framed pieces brighter, longer.

3mm – 6mm thickness are commonly used for applications like acrylic displays, shelving, acrylic shields, room dividers, and various DIY projects that require slightly more durability and rigidity.

6.5mm to 10mm thickness, these thicker acrylic sheets are suitable for applications that require more durability and impact resistance, such as retail displays, protective barriers, and machine guards.

10mm, 50mm or more above thicknesses are considered heavy-duty and are used in applications like marine window, skylights, security glazing, and outdoor signage, aquarium, infinite pool where high impact resistance and structural integrity are required.

FAQ

Most frequent questions and answers

1. What is the best way to cut acrylic sheets?

1. The best way to cut acrylic sheets is to use a sharp cutting tool specifically designed for acrylic, such as a plastic sheet cutter, acrylic scoring tool, or a fine-toothed saw blade.
2. For straight cuts, a table saw or circular saw with a carbide-tipped blade can be used. Ensure that the blade is suitable for cutting acrylic and has a high tooth count to prevent chipping.
3. Another method for straight cuts is scoring the acrylic sheet with a plastic cutter or utility knife along a straight edge and then snapping the sheet along the scored line.
4. For curved or intricate cuts, a jigsaw, coping saw, or band saw with a fine-toothed blade can be used. Proceed with slow and steady cutting to prevent cracking or melting of the acrylic.
5. When cutting acrylic, it is important to properly secure the sheet to prevent vibrations that can lead to chipping or cracking. Using clamps or a non-slip mat can help keep the sheet in place during cutting.
6. To minimize chipping or melting, cut the acrylic sheet at a slower speed and avoid applying excessive pressure or force. Let the tool do the work to achieve clean and accurate cuts.
7. After cutting, remove any rough edges or burrs with sandpaper or a deburring tool for a smooth finish.
8. Always wear appropriate safety gear, such as goggles and a dust mask, when cutting acrylic sheets to protect yourself from flying debris and dust.

2. Which is stronger, plexiglass or polycarbonate?

Polycarbonate is generally considered to be stronger than plexiglass (acrylic) of impact resistance. Polycarbonate is known for its high impact strength and is often used in applications where durability and resistance to breakage are essential. It is commonly used in bulletproof windows, safety glasses, and protective shields due to its ability to withstand high impact forces without shattering.

On the other hand, plexiglass (acrylic) is more brittle and prone to cracking or breaking upon impact compared to polycarbonate. While plexiglass offers good optical clarity and chemical resistance, it is not as impact-resistant as polycarbonate.

3. Does acrylic sheet crack?

Acrylic sheets can crack under certain circumstances, but they are less prone to cracking compared to glass due to their higher impact resistance.

Avoid dropping heavy objects on the acrylic sheet or subjecting it to high impacts.
Deep scratches or abrasions on the surface of the acrylic sheet can act as stress points and lead to cracking.
Sudden changes in temperature can cause acrylic sheets to expand or contract rapidly, leading to stress and potential cracking.
Some chemicals or solvents can weaken acrylic material, making it more prone to cracking.
Incorrect installation methods that put excessive pressure or stress on the acrylic sheet can lead to cracking.

4. Is Clear Acrylic and Perspex the same thing?

‘Clear acrylic’ is also known by the trade names of Lucite, Altuglas, Plexiglass and Plexiglass. Clear Cast Acrylic is commonly known as Perspex.

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Clear Acrylic Sheet