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Acrylic is a thermoplastic known for its optical clarity, strength, and UV stability, making it a popular substitute for glass in many applications. It is lightweight, impact-resistant, and unlike other clear plastics, it does not discolor with prolonged exposure to sunlight. Although it offers excellent strength and stiffness, acrylic is not suitable for high-temperature environments, especially when compared to glass. Due to these properties, machined acrylic is widely used in industries such as automotive and test and measurement.
Acrylic is a widely-used engineering plastic with good toughness, abrasion resistance, and hardness characteristics. Nylon 66 properties make it ideal for load-bearing mechanical components and as such, it is often a good substitute for Plastics. CNC machining in Acrylic results in inexpensive, high-performance parts.
CNC PlasticsAcrylic is a tough material that has numerous benefits over glass. For one, acrylic can be easily machined whereas glass cannot. This gives you the option of CNC machining in acrylic when the task requires both complex geometry and high levels of optical clarity in the final part. Acrylic’s clarity makes it ideal for inspection windows, chemical testing hardware, and instrumentation covers.
Generic Acrylic Properties
| Tensile Strength, Yield (MPa) | Elongation at Break (%) | Hardness (Rockwell M) | Heat Deflection Temperature (°C) at 0.46 MPa | Melting Point (°C) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 65-75 | ~2-10 | ~80-90 | 105-110 | 85-110 |
| Applications | Advantages | Disadvantages | Lead Time | Tolerances |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Instrument dials and vehicle lamp covers, light diffusers, transparent enclosures. Can be used as a low-cost and lightweight alternative to glass. | High impact resistance, optically clear, high UV resistance | Poor scratch and heat resistance, sensitive to certain chemicals (e.g., acetone, alcohol) | Starting at 2 days | Standard ±0.010"; ±0.002" are achievable; sub-±0.002" are available after manual review |
Surface finishes are rarely applied to CNC machined acrylic because most would impede the material’s inherent optical properties. In cases where a finish is needed, opt for one that enhances these properties.
