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Acrylic

maker

Acrylic refers to a group of thermoplastics derived from acrylic acid and its derivatives.

expanded

Acrylic plastics, often known by the chemical name polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), are lightweight, shatter-resistant materials used in a variety of applications due to their excellent optical clarity and weathering properties. These materials are commonly used where glass-like properties are desirable but where weight and breakage are concerns, such as in skylight installations, aquariums, or lightweight aircraft windows.

examples

Acrylic sheets with a thickness of 5 mm or more are regularly used for making aquariums that hold hundreds of liters of water.

Acrylic is chosen for home aquariums due to its optical clarity and strength-to-weight ratio, providing safety and durability.

In the signage industry, acrylic letters with a height of 30 cm are produced for their durability and capability to withstand external elements.

Such signage is prevalent in outdoor advertising where long-term exposure to UV rays is common.

related terms

PLA/ABS/PETG
PLA, ABS, and PETG are thermoplastic polymers commonly used in 3D printing.
Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM)
Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) is an additive manufacturing process that builds objects layer by layer using a continuous filament of thermoplastic material.
Laser cutting
Laser cutting is a technology that uses a laser to cut materials with precision and speed.
Stereolithography (SLA)
Stereolithography (SLA) is an additive manufacturing process that uses a laser to cure liquid resin into solid 3D objects.
3D printing
The process of creating three-dimensional objects from a digital file by layering material.