The proprietary technology of ACRYLITE® UV filtering (OP2) eliminates the objectionable “yellow tint” evident in other UV filtering products. It can be easily fabricated, thermoformed, cold-formed, screen printed, and painted. ACRYLITE® UV filtering (OP2) is guaranteed against defects or your money back. 

ACRYLITE® UV filtering mar-resistant (OP2 MR) acrylic sheet combines abrasion and chemical resistance with these same UV filtering properties to minimize marring caused by public contact and frequent cleaning. 

Acrylite Cast Acrylic Sheets’ Applications and Benefits

Protection 

ACRYLITE® UV filtering (OP2) is produced using our propriety formulation. This material is superior to other glazing materials for maintaining its clarity, even after years of exposure to sunlight and weather. 

ACRYLITE® UV filtering (OP2) has been exposed to EMMA-QUA and XENON accelerated weathering for an equivalent time period of 15 years with no appreciable loss of its UV filtering capabilities. 

Glazing 

ACRYLITE® UV filtering (OP2) acrylic sheet provides superior protection as compared to conservation glass. It protects cherished art, photographs, and memorabilia against fading and yellowing caused by UV light. 

ACRYLITE® UV filtering mar-resistant sheet (OP2 MR) offers the same level of UV protection and also resists scratching and the dulling effects of alcohol and ammonia cleaners. Known for its outstanding optical quality and clarity, ACRYLITE® is half the weight of glass and many times more shatter-resistant making it the perfect choice for treasured art and artifacts. 

Affordable Security 

The high impact strength of ACRYLITE® UV filtering (OP2) acrylic guards your exhibits against direct physical intrusion. All this protection comes affordably priced, so you can protect your treasures without damaging your budget. 

Fabrication 

ACRYLITE® UV filtering (OP2) can be cut, drilled, routed thermoformed, cold-formed, screen printed, and painted. Edges can be mitered and cemented for strong nearly invisible joints requiring no framing. The crystal clarity of ACRYLITE® UV filtering keeps the viewers’ attention on the exhibited object, not the protective enclosure. 

ACRYLITE® UV filtering (OP2) can also be used to replace or overglaze existing window or skylight glazings. In this way, destructive ultraviolet radiation from sunlight is virtually eliminated from any room. And, because of the high visible light transmission, there are no significant losses of

natural lighting or visual clarity.

ACRYLITE® UV filtering (OP2) has a pleasing blue-green tinted edge, similar to high-quality glass, so even the visual aesthetics of ACRYLITE® UV filtering (OP2) acrylic surpass the others.

ACRYLITE® Specialty Acrylics for Preservation, Security and Visual Elegance

ACRYLITE® UV filtering (OP2/OP3) sheet 

Filters the highest level of damaging UV rays 

ACRYLITE® UV filtering mar-resistant (OP2 MR/OP3 MR) sheet 

UV filtering and chemical and mar resistant 

ACRYLITE® Mar resistant (MR) sheet

Chemical and mar resistant

ACRIFIX® Anti-Static Cleaner 

ACRIFIX® AC 1010 antistatic cleaner is the product of choice for maintaining the ACRYLITE® sheet. It polishes to a streak-free shine while removing grease and dust, and its non-toxic formula is environmentally friendly. ACRIFIX® AC 1010 cleaner is available in 4 ounces, 16 ounces, and gallon bottles. 

ACRIFIX® Specialty Bonding Agents 

ACRIFIX® 2R 0190 Versatile, the quintessential reactive SBA, is viscous, dries clear, and bubble-free making it ideal for shadowboxes and vitrines where archival integrity is paramount.

For more information on the qualities and applications of Acrylite Cast Acrylic sheets, kindly contact us here.

The post Acrylite Cast Acrylic UV Filtering (OP2)/ UV Filtering, Mar-Resistant (OP2 MR) Sheets appeared first on Architectural Plastics.

Resistant to traces of wear and finger marks, these products are technologically developed to also have the perfect balance between transmission and diffusion. ACRYLITE® Satinice is designed to enhance virtually any environment with light and brilliance.

Applications

ACRYLITE® Satinice offers excellent solutions for the following applications:

• decorative glazing, privacy partitions, shelves, furniture, POP, retail/store fixture displays and exhibition booths
• wall paneling in architectural applications
• white/translucent grades as covers for lamps and skylights (especially 0D010 DF)
• tubes as luminaires or lighting elements

Fabrication

ACRYLITE® Satinice can be fabricated just like ACRYLITE® acrylic sheet and tube. The following fabrication briefs are available for ACRYLITE®:

• Machining (tech brief 11)
• Thermoforming (tech brief 10)
• Cementing (tech brief 8)
• Handling & Maintenance (tech brief 1)

Properties

ACRYLITE® Satinice offers the following unique features:

• white grades with varying degrees of light diffusion
• balanced ratio of light diffusion and transmittance
• resistant to traces of wear
• excellent light transmission and brilliance
• 100% recyclability
• very high weather resistance
• easy fabrication
• lightweight – about half the weight of glass
• 11 times the impact strength of glass
• some grades meet food contact requirements

Surfaces and other properties of the various products:

• velvety frosted surface on one or both sides
• light-diffusing
• extremely easy to machine and fabricate
• wide range of thicknesses and colors available
• fingerprint and scratch resistant surface

Sheet – satin texture, optimal light diffusion, extruded (formerly Satin Ice)

• soft frosted surface
• light-diffusing beads evenly distributed throughout the material
• texture is retained after thermoforming
• excellent balance between light diffusion and light transmission (up to 89%)
• fingerprint and scratch resistant surface

Sheet – crystal surface, extruded (formerly Crystal Ice)

• more durable textured surface
• excellent thickness tolerance
• texture is retained after thermoforming
• texture on the surface – clear throughout
• fingerprint and scratch resistant surface

Tube – satin texture, optimal light diffusion, light diffusion, extruded

• soft frosted surface
• light diffusing beads evenly distributed throughout material
• UV resistant and perfect for any lighting design
• suitable for food content

ACRYLITE® Satinice Sheet and tube is a revolutionary material that will transform your retail displays, exhibition booths, and privacy partitions, among many other applications.

For information on the standard sizes/thicknesses and colors the product is available in, please don’t hesitate to contact us.

The post ACRYLITE® Satinice Sheet and tube appeared first on Architectural Plastics.

Features & Benefits

• changes color depending on the viewing angle 
• uses ambient light to create its own lighting effects 
• produces mirror-like reflections 
• shines in every color of the rainbow 
• easy to saw, mill, drill, bend and polish 
• can be thermoformed into almost every desired shape

ACRYLITE Reflections iridescent sheet is the ideal material for designing eye-catching items, attention-grabbing displays, effective signs and dynamic, colorful tradeshow booths and store fixtures. It is a beautiful addition to the ACRYLITE sheet product line and a real inspiration for all designers and creative professionals. 

Fabricating Recommendations

ACRYLITE Reflections iridescent sheet has a surface coating on one side that is responsible for the lighting effects. The following recommendations take this special feature into account during handling and fabrication. 

ACRYLITE Reflections iridescent can be fabricated with the same parameters and equipment as standard acrylic sheets. Correct positioning of the coated surface is essential in order to obtain perfect fabrication results. 

Cleaning

Clean ACRYLITE Reflections iridescent sheet with mild soap and lukewarm water or ACRIFIX AC 1010 Anti-Static Cleaner. Use a soft, clean cloth and gentle pressure (no rubbing). Make sure not to scratch the coated surface, because scratches cannot be removed by polishing this side of the sheet. 

Machining

ACRYLITE Reflections iridescent sheet can be sawn, drilled, milled and edge-machined like standard ACRYLITE extruded acrylic sheet, provided the coated surface is positioned at the correct angle to the machining tool. Make sure that the cutting tools used for sawing, drilling, routing and edge treatment enter the coated surface and exit through the uncoated surface. 

Bonding

Adhesives suitable for standard ACRYLITE extruded sheet are also compatible with ACRYLITE Reflections iridescent sheet. Since ACRYLITE Reflections iridescent sheet is partially transparent, it is important that adhesive joints remain almost invisible on the uncoated surface. The uncoated surface of ACRYLITE Reflections iridescent can be easily bonded to standard ACRYLITE sheet, providing comparable final bond strength. 

However, the final bond strength does differ noticeably when bonds are made with the coated surface. The bond with the coated surface can be improved to a certain extent using cyanoacrylate adhesives. Where high bond strengths are required, we recommend removing the surface coating in the area to be bonded. 

If polyester tape is used to assist with bonding, please remove the strips of tape carefully after bonding is completed, pulling them off from the surface towards the edge. That avoids delamination of the coating at the edges. 

ACRIFIX Special Bonding Agents manufactured by Evonik are the perfect complement for cementing ACRYLITE sheet products. When bonding the uncoated side of ACRYLITE Reflections iridescent sheet, ACRIFIX® 1S 0117 Pure or ACRIFIX® 1S 2105 Express are recommended. These solvent cements have superior capillary action for better flow through, and dry quickly with a strong bond and attractive appearance. ACRIFIX 1S 0117 is the only non-methylene chloride solvent cement in the North American market. 

Linear Heating/Line-Bending

ACRYLITE Reflections iridescent sheet can be bent simply and quickly on standard line-bending machines. For best results, the coated side of the sheet should be on the side exposed to tensile stress (outer side of bend). At small bending radii, heat the uncoated side of the sheet. At large bending radii of more than 90°, it is advisable to heat the coated side. 

Thermoforming/Stretch Forming

You can thermoform ACRYLITE Reflections iridescent sheet to obtain a variety of shapes. If only one side of the sheet is heated, the coated surface should face the heat source. 

ACRYLITE Reflections iridescent sheet is also suitable for moderate stretch forming using compressed air. In this case, and during thermoforming, the coated surface of the sheet should be on the side exposed to tensile stress (outer side). 

Depending on the degree of stretching, the rainbow effect may be diminished. We therefore advise you to conduct preliminary trials. The recommended forming temperature is between 290 to 320 °F. 

Flame Polishing

ACRYLITE Reflections iridescent sheet can be flame-polished under the same conditions as standard acrylic sheet. For best results, flame- polish stacked sheet. The coated surfaces should face inwards, to protect them from the flame. 

If you would like to flame-polish individual ACRYLITE Reflections iridescent sheets, we recommend placing the sheet with the coated surface on a sheet of standard acrylic for better protection.

The post ACRYLITE Reflections Iridescent Acrylic Sheets appeared first on Architectural Plastics.

Lightweight, shatter-resistant, and easy to fabricate, ACRYLITE® Reflections is a glass quality mirror with all the advantages of acrylic. ACRYLITE® Reflections is available with an abrasion-resistant coating. This added feature is available in thicknesses of .118” and .220” and a sheet size of 48” x 96”. 

Applications

• P-O-P displays and store fixtures  
• Interior design and architectural applications  
• Consumer/household  
• Recreational vehicles (interior applications)  
• Commercial transportation, lavatories, gyms, staterooms and crew quarters 

Fabrication

ACRYLITE® Reflections can be fabricated using the same machining parameters and equipment that are recommended for use with ACRYLITE® sheet. However, in some instances, better results can be obtained if the orientation of the decorative surface is taken into account during fabrication. 

Cleaning 

ACRYLITE® Reflections can be cleaned with a solution of mild soap or detergent and lukewarm water. Use a clean soft cloth, applying only light pressure. 

Storage

Skids of ACRYLITE® Reflections are shipped with a polyethylene film overwrap that protects the sheet from dirt and moisture. The overwrap should be left intact during storage to minimize warpage. Sheet can be stored horizontally or vertically. When stored horizontally or at a slight angle from vertical, full support must be provided for the bottom of the sheet. 

Sheet surfaces should be kept free of saw chips and other debris which can penetrate the protective masking and cause indentations in the sheet. ACRYLITE® Reflections should not be stored near heat sources, as heat tends to soften and deform the sheet. 

Cutting with Circular Saws 

Conventional panel or table saws are recommended to cut ACRYLITE® Reflections. Saw blades should be carbide tipped with a triple-chip design for plastics. Moderate feed rates (100 – 300 in/min) ensure a proper cut. The blade protrusion should be 1/8 – 1/2” above the top of the sheet. 

Best results are obtained when the sheet is positioned so that the teeth of the saw blade enter the sheet on the gray mirror backing surface. If positioned so the teeth enter on the other surface, very slight chipping (about 1/64” in size) of the gray mirror backing may occur. 

Cutting with Lasers 

Laser technology is being rapidly accepted by industry for quickly and accurately cutting, welding, drilling, scribing, and engraving plastics. CO2 lasers focus a large amount of light energy on a very small area which is extremely effective for cutting complex shapes in the acrylic sheet. 

The laser beam produces a narrow kerf in the plastic allowing for close nesting of parts and minimal waste. CO2 lasers vaporize the acrylic as they advance resulting in a clean polished edge but with high stress levels. 

Depending on the application, annealing acrylic sheet after laser cutting may be needed to minimize the chance of crazing during the service life of the part. 

Routing

ACRYLITE® Reflections can be routed with the same equipment used for routing ACRYLITE® extruded sheet. On most CNC routing equipment, O-flute straight and O-flute up-spiral router bits produce very good results at feed rates of 150 – 300 in/min and spindle speeds of 18,000 – 20,000 RPM. 

For best results when using an up-spiral bit, position the sheet so that the gray mirror backing faces away from the collet. 

Cementing 

Methylene chloride-based solvent cements such as ACRIFIX®, typically used for acrylic sheet fabrication, work well when cementing to the untreated surface. This permits the use of other acrylic products, including acrylic profiles, in conjunction with ACRYLITE® Reflections. 

Cementing to the treated surface of the sheet will result in weak or inconsistent bonds which can be broken with light pressure. 

Mounting 

ACRYLITE® Reflections mirror can be mounted to most rigid, clean, dry surfaces using adhesive or mechanical methods. Select the proper thickness of ACRYLITE® Reflections to avoid unwanted distortion of the mounted mirror. 

With most adhesives, bare wood should be sealed in order to promote good bonding of the mirror to the substrate. Contact manufacturers for limitations and recommendations. 

Mechanical fasteners may also be used. Drill oversized holes following the instructions found below in the Drilling section. Avoid over-tightening the screws to prevent distortion of the mirror. 

Edge Finishing 

Edge finishers will produce very smooth edges on ACRYLITE® Reflections. However, they will leave very slight chipping (about 1/64” in size) in the gray mirror backing. For most applications, this will not be visible. The same depth of cut and feed settings as used with ACRYLITE® extruded sheet are recommended. 

Drilling 

ACRYLITE® Reflections can be drilled with the same equipment that is used with ACRYLITE® extruded sheet. Modified drill bits designed for plastics produce the best results. A proper backing material such as plywood or another piece of acrylic should be used when drilling ACRYLITE® Reflections. 

The backing material will help prevent chipping on the bottom surface. Rotational speeds from 500 – 1000 RPMs combined with feed rates in the 3 – 12 in/min range will usually provide good results.

Line Bending 

ACRYLITE® Reflections can be line bent quickly and easily using traditional line bending equipment. The sheet can be heated on either side with acceptable results. Line bends will have a slightly lighter appearance compared to the rest of the sheet, but this will only be visible under very close scrutiny. 

Thermoforming 

Thermoforming to moderate draw ratios is possible. However, as the draw ratio increases, the mirror finish becomes correspondingly thinner. This results in its appearance becoming duller or less brilliant. It is recommended that a few test samples be made first to evaluate the appearance of the part. 

When thermoforming, the sheet can be heated on either side. The protective masking should be removed before heating the sheet. The gray surface will become soft and tacky when the sheet is heated. Therefore, if a mold is used, it should be designed to contact the acrylic surface and not the gray surface of the sheet. For a raised decorative part, this means a female mold should be employed. 

Buffing 

Buffing can change edge appearance from a matte to a glossy look. For the best edge finish result, perform an initial wet sanding operation. This will remove any saw cut marks. The same buffing equipment can be used on the edge of ACRYLITE® Reflections as used with other acrylic sheets. 

ACRYLITE® Reflections may not be suitable for use in some outdoor environments. Before using outdoors, contact Architectural Plastics, Inc. for more information. 

The post ACRYLITE® Reflections Acrylic Mirror Sheet appeared first on Architectural Plastics.

ACRYLITE® LED sign grade (Resist SG) is specially formulated to provide superior impact strength, outstanding weather resistance and consistent performance even under the harshest conditions.

Whether producing channel letters, formed letters or shapes to back painted signs, ACRYLITE® LED (Resist SG) offers superior impact strength which translates into reduced risk of breakage during production, shipping, installation, and potential vandalism.

Sign professionals choose ACRYLITE® LED (Resist SG) when building signs because their reputation is on the line. Backed by a 30-year warranty, ACRYLITE® LED (Resist SG) offers unsurpassed color consistency which greatly exceeds polycarbonate, even when the PC has a secondary “UV protective coating”. With ACRYLITE® you can ensure that your customer’s brand remains vibrant for many years to come.

Properties

While there are many products available for the signage industry, ACRYLITE® offers the very best to satisfy your sign requirements. Our products offer the following benefits over other solutions:

• Unsurpassed weatherability with a 30-year warranty
• Highest impact resistance in its class
• Vibrant color consistency & uniformity
• Optimized for use with LED and all other light sources
• Excellent thickness tolerance

Machining

• Easily fabricated – sawed, cut, drilled, routed, painted & cemented with ease; resists chipping & melting
• Thermal forms at very low temperatures, and does not require pre-drying under normal circumstances, which greatly reduces labor and energy costs while increasing your throughput

Product Specification

Whether you are working with ACRYLITE® LED (Resist SG) or our other ACRYLITE® FF or GP products, the quality and color consistency remains the same.

The post ACRYLITE LED Sign Grade (Resist SG) – Technical Information appeared first on Architectural Plastics.

Particularly in illuminated signs, store fixtures and exhibition booths, the combination of LEDs with ACRYLITE® LED color-changing back lit offers maximum efficiency and superior lighting technology.

Illuminated signs often glow 24 hours a day, which is why energy-saving construction is becoming increasingly important. Illuminated signs made with ACRYLITE® LED color-changing back lit and backlit with modern LED technology, consume less energy than conventional fluorescent and neon tubes and also require much less maintenance. The full potential of LEDs can only be harnessed using the right material and ACRYLITE® LED color-changing backlit is specially designed for use in illuminated signs with LEDs.

The matte texture of ACRYLITE® LED color changing backlit texture provides diffusion, however it is sometimes necessary to add a separate diffusing panel. Additional diffusion can be achieved by using a white vinyl diffusing film or placing a thin panel (such as 0.060”) of white sign material between the ACRYLITE® LED and the light source.

• The Black and White sheet effect will be achieved regardless of whether the textured side is facing inward or outward. If the texture is facing out, the sign surface will have a matte appearance. If the texture is facing inward toward the light source, the sign surface will have a glossy appearance.
• Although the one-sided texture provides diffusion, it is sometimes necessary to add a separate diffusing panel to ensure that the image of the lamps is hidden. Alternately, a white vinyl diffusing film may be applied.
• The intensity of effect can be adjusted by varying the positioning of the light source and its intensity.

Acrylite Product Specifications

This product belongs to the ACRYLITE® LED product family and was specially developed for the illuminated sign industry. You can find other interesting products developed for LED applications in the “ACRYLITE® Lighting Product Family Overview” (Ref. No. 3802A)

Properties

In addition to the high quality and proven performance of ACRYLITE®, such as:

• Extremely weatherable for outdoor applications
• Easily formed and fabricated
• 100% recyclability

ACRYLITE® LED color-changing backlit offers the following special features:

• black in daylight and glows in the color of the LEDs at night (see Fig. 1)

Acrylite Applications

ACRYLITE® LED color-changing backlit is especially suitable for:

• Illuminated signs
• Exhibition booth
• Store fixture/retail displays
• Special-effect luminous walls in architecture

Transmission Guidelines

This sheet works best when the edges are enclosed in the sign box or channel. There should be no overhanging edges if uniform appearance is desired.

The post ACRYLITE® LED Color-Changing Backlit appeared first on Architectural Plastics.

Colorless Acrylite® cell cast carries an exclusive 30-year limited warranty on light transmission, which is your assurance of a quality product.

Characteristics

Acrylite® sheet is a lightweight, rigid thermoplastic material that has many times the breakage resistance of standard glass and is highly resistant to weather conditions.

Acrylite® cell cast can be easily sawed, machined, thermoformed, and cemented and is ultraviolet light absorbing up to approximately 360 nanometers. Because of its unique properties, Acrylite® cell cast is ideal for a wide range of applications, such as:

• Retail store displays
• Security glazing
• Industrial and residential glazing
• Luminaries
• Aquariums
• Decorative paneling
• Spectator shielding
• Skylights
• Signs

Availability

Acrylite® cell cast is available in clear, colors and a wide range of standard sizes and thicknesses from .118” (3mm) to 1.0” (24mm). Acrylite® cell cast is also available as Acrylite® Satinice with a velvet frost surface on one or both sides. It is available in a plethora of colors with varying degrees of transmitted and reflected light. Acrylite® Satinice retains the same physical properties of standard cell cast acrylic.

Safety

Acrylite® sheet is more impact-resistant than glass. If subjected to impact beyond the limit of its resistance, it does not shatter into small slivers but breaks into comparatively large pieces. Acrylite® sheet meets the requirements of ANSI Z 97.1 for use as a Safety Glazing material in Buildings (for thicknesses 0.080” [2.0 mm] to 0.500” [1 2.7mm]).

Weather Resistance

Acrylic offers better weather resistance than other types of transparent plastics. Acrylite® cell cast will withstand exposure to blazing sun, extreme cold, sudden temperature changes, salt water spray and other harsh conditions. It will not deteriorate after many years of service because of the inherent stability of acrylic. Acrylite® sheet has been widely accepted for use in skylights, school buildings, industrial plants, aircraft glazing and outdoor signs.

Dimensional Stability

Although the Acrylite® sheet will expand and contract due to changes in temperature and humidity; it will not shrink with age. Some shrinkage occurs when Acrylite® cell cast is heated to forming temperature.

Lightweight

Acrylite® sheet is half the weight of glass, and 43% the weight of aluminum. One square foot of 1/8” (3.0 mm) thick Acrylite® sheet weighs less than 3/4 pound (1/3 kilogram).

Rigidity

Acrylite® sheet is not as rigid as glass or metals. However, it is more rigid than many other plastics such as acetates, polycarbonates, or vinyls. Under wind load, a sheet will bow and foreshorten as a result of deflection. For glazing installations, the maximum wind load and the size of the window must be considered when the thickness of the panel and the depth and width of the glazing channels are to be determined.

If the Acrylite® sheet is formed into corrugated or domed shapes, rigidity is increased and deflection minimized.

Cold Flow

Large, flat Acrylite® sheet may deform due to continuous loads such as snow, or even from its own weight if not sufficiently supported. Increased rigidity obtained by forming will minimize cold flow.

Strength and Stresses

Although the tensile strength of Acrylite® cell cast is 10,000 psi (69 M Pa) at room temperature (ASTM D638), stress crazing can be caused by continuous loads below this value.

For most applications, continuously imposed design loads should not exceed 1,500 psi (10.4 M Pa). Localized, concentrated stresses must be avoided. For this reason, and because of thermal expansion and contraction, large sheets should never be fastened with bolts, but should always be installed in frames.

All thermoplastic materials-including Acrylite® cell cast-will gradually lose tensile strength as the temperature approaches the maximum recommended.

Expansion and Contraction

Like most other plastics, Acrylite® sheet will expand 3 times as much as metals, and 8 times as much as glass. The designer should be aware of this rather large coefficient of expansion. A 48” panel will expand and contract approximately .002” for each degree Fahrenheit change in temperature.

In outdoor use, where summer and winter temperatures differ as much as 100°F, a 48” sheet will expand and contract approximately 3/16”. Glazing channels must be of sufficient depth to allow for expansion as well as for contraction.

Acrylite® sheet also absorbs water when exposed to high relative humidities, resulting in expansion of the sheet. At relative humidities of 100%, 80%, and 60%, the dimensional changes are 0.6%, 0.4% and 0.2%, respectively.

Heat Resistance

Acrylite® cell cast can be used at temperatures from -40°F (-40°C) up to +200°F (93°C), depending on the application. It is recommended that temperatures not exceed 180°F for continuous service, or 200°F for short, intermittent use.

Components made of Acrylite® cell cast should not be exposed to high heat sources such as high wattage incandescent lamps unless the finished product is ventilated to permit the dissipation of heat.

Light Transmission

Colorless Acrylite® cell cast has a light transmittance of 92%. It is warranted not to lose more than 3% of its light-transmitting ability in a 30-year period. Contact Evonik Cyro for the complete warranty.

Chemical Resistance

Acrylite® cell cast has excellent resistance to many chemicals including:

• solutions of inorganic alkalies such as ammonia
• dilute acids such as sulfuric acid up to a concentration of 30%
• aliphatic hydrocarbons such as hexane

Acrylite® sheet is not attacked by most foods, and foods are not affected by it. It is attacked, in varying degrees, by:

• aromatic solvents such as benzene and toluene
• chlorinated hydrocarbons such as methylene chloride and carbon tetrachloride
• ethyl and methyl alcohols
• some organic acids such as acetic acid
• lacquer thinners, esters, ketones and ethers

For a listing of the resistance of the Acrylite® sheet to more than 70 chemicals, refer to the table on page 6.

Formability

Acrylite® sheet will soften gradually as the temperature is increased above 210°F (99°C). At temperatures from 340°F to 380°F (171°C to 193°C), it becomes soft and pliable and can be formed into almost any shape using inexpensive molds.

The optimum forming temperature within this range depends on the thickness and desired depth of draw. Acrylite® sheet will typically shrink 1.5% when heated without a frame. As the sheet cools, it will harden and retain the formed shape.

Because Acrylite® cell cast is a thermoplastic material; heating a formed part to temperatures above 210°F (99°C) may cause it to revert to its original flat condition.

Cutting and Machining

Acrylite® sheets can be sawed with circular saws or band saws. It can be drilled, routed, filed and machined much like wood or brass with a slight modification of tools. Cooling of the cutting tool is recommended to keep the machined edge of the sheet as cool and stress-free as possible.

Heat buildup should be avoided because it could lead to stress crazing. Tool sharpness and “trueness” are also essential to prevent gumming, heat buildup and stresses in the part.

Laser Cutting

Laser technology is ideal for quick and accurate cutting, welding, drilling, scribing, and engraving of plastics. CO2 lasers focus a large amount of light energy on a very small area which is extremely effective for cutting complex shapes in the acrylic sheet. The laser beam produces a narrow kerf in the plastic allowing for close nesting of parts and minimal waste.

CO2 lasers vaporize the acrylic as they advance resulting in a clean polished edge but with high stress levels; annealing acrylic sheet after laser cutting is recommended to minimize the chance of crazing during the service life of the part.

Cementing

Acrylite® sheets can be cemented using common solvent or polymerizable cements, such as ACRIFIX®. The most critical factor is the edge of the part to be cemented. The edge must have been properly machined so as to have a square flat surface and no stresses.

Annealing of the part prior to cementing is recommended. Cement and cement fumes should not contact formed or polished surfaces.

Annealing

To eliminate stresses caused by machining and/or polishing, annealing is recommended.

Acrylite® cell cast may be annealed at 180°F (82°C) with the heating and cooling times determined by the sheet thickness. An approximate guideline is: annealing time in hours equals the sheet thickness in millimeters and the cool-down period is a minimum of 2 hours ending when sheet temperature falls below 140°F. For example, 1/8” (3 mm) Acrylite® cell cast would be heated for 3 hours at 180°F (82°C) and slowly cooled for at least 2 hours.

Flammability

Acrylite® cell cast is a combustible thermoplastic. Precautions should be taken to protect the material from flames and high heat sources. Acrylite® usually burns rapidly to completion if not extinguished. The products of combustion, if sufficient air is present, are carbon dioxide and water.

However, in many fires, sufficient air will not be available and toxic carbon monoxide will be formed, as it is from other combustible materials. We urge good judgment in the use of this versatile material and recommend that building codes be followed carefully to ensure it is used properly.

Other properties related to flammability:

• The burning rate is 1.2 inches per minute (for 3 mm thickness) according to ASTM D 635.
• Smoke density: Measured by ASTM D 2843 is 11.4%.
• The self-ignition temperature is 910°F (488°C) when measured in accordance with ASTM D 1929.

While these test data are based on small scale laboratory tests frequently referenced in various building codes, they do not duplicate actual fire conditions.

Acrylite® cell cast meets the requirements of the following building codes for use as a Light Transmitting Plastic:

• NES (See National Evaluation Services, Inc., Report # NER-582)
• ICBO (See ICBO Evaluation Services, Inc., Evaluation Report #3715-CC2 Classification)
• BOCA and SBCCI (Accept National Evaluation Services, Inc., Report # NER-582)

Thermal Conductivity

The thermal conductivity of a material-its ability to conduct heat-is called the k-Factor. The k-Factor is an inherent property of the material and is independent of its thickness and of the surroundings to which it is exposed.

The k-Factor of Acrylite® sheet is:

1.3 B.T.U. / (hour) (sq. ft.) (°F /inch) or 0.19 W/m.K

Whereas the k-Factor is a physical property of the material, the U-Factor—or overall coefficient of heat transfer—is the value used to calculate the total heat loss or gain through a window.

The U-Factor is the amount of heat, per unit time and area, which will pass through a specific thickness and configuration of material per degree of the temperature difference between each of the two sides.

This value takes into account the thickness of the sheet, whether the sheet is in a horizontal or vertical position, as well as the wind velocity.

U-Factors are based on specific conditions (e.g., single-glazed or double-glazed installations) and are different for summer and winter. Listed below are U-Factors for several thicknesses of Acrylite® sheet for single-glazed, vertical installations, based on the standard ASHRAE* summer and winter design conditions.

The total heat loss or gain through a window (due to temperature difference only) can be calculated by multiplying the area of the window, times the difference between indoor and outdoor temperatures, times the appropriate U-Factor (from Table above). Heat intake through solar radiation must be added to arrive at the total heat gain.

Acrylite® sheet is a better insulator than glass. Its U-Factor or heat transfer value is approximately 10% lower than that of glass of the same thickness. Conversely, its RT-Factor is about 10% greater.

Thermal Shock and Stresses

Acrylite® cell cast is more resistant than glass to thermal shock and to stresses caused by substantial temperature differences between a sunlit and a shaded area of a window, or by temperature differences between opposite surfaces of a window.

Chemical Resistance

The table on the next page gives an indication of the chemical resistance of clear Acrylite® sheet. The code used to describe chemical resistance is as follows:

R = Resistant

Acrylite® cell cast withstands this substance for long periods and at temperatures up to 120°F (49°C).

LR = Limited Resistance Fabrication

Acrylite® cell cast only resists the action of this substance for short periods at room temperatures. The resistance for a particular application must be determined.

N= Not Resistant Application of Chemicals

Acrylite® cell cast is not resistant to this substance. It is swelled, attacked, dissolved or damaged in some manner.

Plastic materials can be attacked by chemicals in several ways. The methods of fabrication and/or conditions of exposure of the Acrylite® sheet, as well as the manner, in which the chemicals are applied, can influence the final results even for “R” coded chemicals. Some of these factors are listed below.

Fabrication- Stress generated by sawing, sanding, machining, drilling, polishing, and/or forming.

Exposure- Length of exposure stresses induced during the life of the product due to various loads, changes in temperatures, etc.

Application of Chemicals- by contacts, rubbing wiping, spraying, etc.

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