Acrylic

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Contents 1 Material analysis 1.1 Traditional uses 1.2 Emerging uses / trends 1.3 Finish and aesthetic qualities 1.4 Surface forms / shapes 1.5 Cost analysis 2 Material properties 2.1 Primary structural use 2.2 Material performance 2.3 Dimensional and opening restriction 2.4 Acoustic property 2.5 Manufacturing process and assembly 3 Environmental Impact 4 Life Safety & Ratings 4.1 Flammability rating 4.2 Coefficient of friction 5 References 5.1 Notes 5.2 Student contributions 6 See also 6.1 Similar materials 6.2 Building references 7 External links 7.1 Additional resources 7.2 Leading manufacturers

Material analysis

MasterFormat Number: 06600

Traditional uses

• Traditionally acrylic is used for glazing purposes as a substitute for glass because:
  • acrylic is more flexible and lighter weight than glass.
  • acrylic can be manipulated on site.
• Acrylic is also used in the creation of:
  • countertops
  • retail fixtures
  • furniture
  • signage
  • lighting
  • interior partitions, exterior walls, ceilings, roofs, and floors
  • solar screens
  • wind breaks

Emerging uses / trends

• The use of acrylic as a decorative and structural material is emerging with new finishes, colors, and textures.
• Acrylic is becoming popular in commercial applications due to its flexibility, opacity/translucency, and sustainability.

Finish and aesthetic qualities

• A limitless range of colors, textures, opacities, and iridescence provide infinite possibilities for selection.
• Acrylic is available in many versions to address impact, UV, glare, abrasion resistance, and temperature resistance.
• Acrylic is graded for clarity, image distortion, and strength characteristics.
• Many acrylic products simulate the look of glass with the advantages of higher strengths and lighter weights.
• Acrylic has low water absorption and smoke emission properties.

Surface forms / shapes

• Acrylic can be custom cast into any possible shape, but is commonly used in the form of sheets, tubes, rods, and bars in a wide range of sizes.

Cost analysis

• Sheets: $1.50/square foot (minimum)
• Tubes & Rods: $0.05+/linear foot (minimum)

Material properties

Primary structural use

• Compression
• Acrylic can be either self-supporting, or, used as a nonstructural finish material applied to a substructure.

Material performance

• Acrylic is generally a dimensionally stable material under normal temperatures, but, it can expand or contract three to eight times more than glass in sudden temperature changes.
  • As a result, expansion joints are a critical element of panel installations.

Dimensional and opening restriction

• Sheets: 96” x 48” x (0.060” to 1”)
• Tubes: 72” x (1/4” to 12” OD) x (1/8” to 12 ¾” ID);
• Rods: 72” x up to 12” Diameter & 72” x 3” sq
• Can be custom cut

Acoustic property

• Corrugated acrylic can be used as an acoustic damper in areas where unrestricted views and low noise levels are both desired.

Manufacturing process and assembly

• Also named polymethyl methacrylate, acrylic is the synthetic polymer of methyl methacrylate.
• There are two basic types of acrylic:
  • Extruded
  • Cell cast
• Extruded or "continuous cast" acrylic is made by a less expensive process, is softer, can scratch easier and may contain impurities. Cell cast acrylic is a higher quality acrylic.

Environmental Impact

• Acrylic is derived from petroleum and fossil fuel products that are largely considered to not be environmentally friendly products.
• Some forms of acrylic can be reused or re-purposed at the end of their life cycles, but the combination of the chemicals and additives in other products sometimes prevent this.
• In normal usage conditions, acrylic does not off-gas and functions environmentally similar to glass.
• Acrylic can be cleaned with a solution of mild soap or detergent and lukewarm water.

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Life Safety & Ratings

Flammability rating

• Class A or B flammability and smoke spread rating.
• Acrylic is a combustible thermoplastic, therefore, precautions should be taken to protect it from flames and high heat sources.
• Sheet acrylic usually burns rapidly to completion if not extinguished.
• The products of combustion, if sufficient air is present, are carbon dioxide and water.
  • If insufficient air is present, toxic carbon monoxide will be formed during combustion.

Coefficient of friction

• n/a

References

Notes

Student contributions

• Seth Novick, Fall 2005
• Christina Gerke, Spring 2007
• Janna Frapart, Spring 2008

See also

Similar materials

• Trade names for acrylic include:
  • Lucite
  • Perspex
  • PlexiGlas
  • Acrylite
  • Polycast
  • Acrilex

• 3form

• Lightblocks

Building references

• Best Cellars, 745 Boylston Street, Boston, MA 02116

• China Grill New York, 60 West 53rd Street, New York, NY 10019

• Duvet Restaurant and Lounge, 45 West 21 Street, New York, NY 10010

• Kartell (Furniture), 10 St. James Street, Boston, MA 02116

External links

Additional resources

• Allen, Edward. Fundamentals of Building Construction: Materials and Methods. Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 2004.

• Ballast, David Kent. Interior Construction and Detailing. Belmont, CA: Professional Publications, Inc., 2002.

• Brantley, L. Reed. Building Materials Technology. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill, Inc., 1996.

• Ojeda, Oscar Riera. Materials: Architecture in Detail. Gloucester, MA: Rockport Publishers, Inc., 2003.

All images are from Acrylite's website. http://www.acrylite-magic.com

Leading manufacturers

• Acrylite, Cyro Industries, 100 Enterprise Drive, PO Box 5055, Rockaway, NJ 07866, (888) 900-6244 Cyro Industries website
• Lucite International Inc., 7275 Goodlett Farms Parkway, Cordova, TN 38016, (800) 4-LUCITE Lucite International website