Using clear sheet plastic in DIY projects is an increasingly popular idea. After decades of being utilised by plastic fabrication companies to manufacture various products, acrylic sheets cut to size are now conveniently available to anyone looking for a versatile material for their home improvement or artistic projects. Perspex is one of the best-selling fabricated plastic products due to its versatility and benefits that expand way beyond the affordable price. Here are some reasons why acrylic is suited for a variety of purposes:
Is shatter and weather resistant
You can use acrylic plastic for any type of furniture such as cabinet doors and coffee tables without worrying about its resistance to impact. This material is often preferred by families with young children and pets due to its beneficial safety feature – clear sheet plastic and other Perspex products are 30x as strong as glass. Acrylic is even found in bulletproof windows. Even this material breaks, it produces large shards with dull edges that are less likely to cause injury. If you are concerned about safety, acrylic is an excellent option.
Moreover, acrylic plastic is waterproof and offers protection from the weather which makes it ideal for outdoor furniture and property window panels. Acrylic plastics offer exterior shells with optimal protection against the elements and are used for greenhouses.
Comes in a variety of finishes to suit your project
Acrylic options are extremely diverse and range from clear Perspex sheet cut to size to acrylic in various finishes such as swirl, semi-smooth or fine-sand. In its clear version, acrylic is more translucent than glass as it has a higher level of light transmittance: it lets through 92% of available light. For this reason, acrylic is used for applications such as helmet visors, fibre optic cable coatings, plane canopies, medical equipment, facemasks and eyewear. Various finishes can be observed in products such as point of sale displays, shelves, and signage.
Is easy to cut to size and work with
Acrylic is preferred by plastic fabrication manufacturers and DIY-ers alike because it is so much easier to work with than traditional glass. Acrylic is a thermoplastic, meaning it melts beyond a certain temperature and can be poured into moulds and shaped after client requirements. Acrylic, when heated up to 100 degrees, can be easily moulded into a variety of shapes such as: bottles, tubes, picture frames, figurines, rods and others.
Once acrylic cools to the desired shape, it can further be processed with ease and only a small risk of it breaking. Plexiglass or clear acrylic offers almost limitless options for processing – you can saw, mill, drill, engrave, glue, polish and bend using heat and have minimal material loss. In case you need to join different pieces of acrylic, you can use acrifix acrylic adhesive.
Can be cleaned easily
Acrylic is not only easy to mould and cut, but is very convenient in terms of cleaning. This is why coloured or clear sheet plastic is used in applications such as kitchen splashback and various types of indoor and outdoor furniture.
The only downside of acrylic is that it scratches easily; this is why you need to pay a little more attention when cleaning, more precisely to consider a couple of recommendations:
- Not using cleaning agents that contain ammonia as they will cause a foggy aspect of acrylic surfaces;
- Gently brushing away dust and debris before washing acrylic with water and soap or dish soap.
However, even if acrylic scratches, it can be easily polished and restored to its original aspect.
Is lighter in weight than glass
Convenience of use is vital for plastic fabrication manufacturers and is also important for DIY customers. Acrylic is preferred due to being two times lighter than glass and easy to handle. This makes it suitable for several industrial applications, which include the roofing system of homes. Moreover, the acrylic’s lower weight enables customers to save money on transport and workmanship, as acrylic is faster and more easily installed than glass.
Looking for clear sheet plastic produced in Australia at competitive prices? Look no further than Perspex Online Australia, one of the local custom plastic fabrication companies providing a full turn-key service from design to manufacture. Check our variety of versatile quality products!
