Cast Versus Extruded Acrylic Sheets

Available in a broad range of standard and custom colors for a variety of applications cast acrylic is more pliable than extruded less likely to bend chip or melt during milling.

Cast versus extruded acrylic sheets.

For each sheet made a gasketed glass cell must be assembled. Larger list of sizes available in cast acrylic tube we can mix and match molds to offer a wide range of wall thicknesses. Laser cutting when laser cutting extruded acrylic there will come a burr on one side of the part. The surface finish flatness and optical properties of cast acrylic sheets are all superior to those of extruded acrylic sheets.

Cast sheet is manufactured using a process known as the cell cast process while extruded sheet is manufactured using a process known as continuously manufacturing. The mould monomer is then submerged in warm water and the process of polymerization takes place. On the cast acrylic. Optical clarity is excellent in cast tubing and very good in extruded tubing below 10.

Cast acrylic rod and tube is then polished after removal from the mold a labor intensive process which adds to its cost. Laser engraving the laser engraving will on extruded acrylic look. Both extruded and cast acrylic sheets comply with fda requirements for food contact which also makes it an ideal choice for restaurants retail stores grocery stores cafeterias and much more. In brief they are manufactured by two different production processes.

Cast acrylic versus extruded acrylic chemical resistance cast acrylic is more resistant to the same solvents. Essentially liquid monomer unreacted acrylic is poured between two panes of glass which are separated by a gasket to control the thickness of the sheet. Cast acrylic can be thermally well deformed whereby the deformation properties are homogeneous in all directions. Because extruded material is limited in thickness cast acrylic is a better option for larger structures installations etc.

Extruded acrylic can be easily deformed thermally but there may be differences in deformation properties between longitudinal or transverse orientation to the direction of extrusion. Extruded acrylic sheet is more economical and has a lower forming temperature while the cast acrylic sheet is more scratch resistant. Cast acrylic materials are available in a wide variety of colors. Both types of acrylic sheet offer outstanding surface hardness and durability excellent uv stability and are virtually shatter proof so whether you choose cast or extruded acrylic for your next project you will not be disappointed.

Difference between cast and extruded acrylic definition. Cast acrylic as the name suggests is manufactured by a process whereby mma methyl methacrylate monomer liquid is pumped into a mould made from two sheets of glass. Cast acrylic is a form of acrylic material that is produced by mixing the acrylic liquid.