Cast Versus Extruded Acrylic Sheets

Cast acrylic materials are available in a wide variety of colors.

Cast versus extruded acrylic sheets.

On the cast acrylic. The surface finish flatness and optical properties of cast acrylic sheets are all superior to those of extruded acrylic sheets. Optical clarity is excellent in cast tubing and very good in extruded tubing below 10. Cast sheet is manufactured using a process known as the cell cast process while extruded sheet is manufactured using a process known as continuously manufacturing.

Extruded acrylic can be easily deformed thermally but there may be differences in deformation properties between longitudinal or transverse orientation to the direction of extrusion. Essentially liquid monomer unreacted acrylic is poured between two panes of glass which are separated by a gasket to control the thickness of the sheet. Laser cutting when laser cutting extruded acrylic there will come a burr on one side of the part. Difference between cast and extruded acrylic definition.

Cast acrylic versus extruded acrylic chemical resistance cast acrylic is more resistant to the same solvents. Because extruded material is limited in thickness cast acrylic is a better option for larger structures installations etc. Both extruded and cast acrylic sheets comply with fda requirements for food contact which also makes it an ideal choice for restaurants retail stores grocery stores cafeterias and much more. Extruded acrylic sheet is more economical and has a lower forming temperature while the cast acrylic sheet is more scratch resistant.

Cast acrylic is a form of acrylic material that is produced by mixing the acrylic liquid. The mould monomer is then submerged in warm water and the process of polymerization takes place. Cast acrylic can be thermally well deformed whereby the deformation properties are homogeneous in all directions. In brief they are manufactured by two different production processes.

Larger list of sizes available in cast acrylic tube we can mix and match molds to offer a wide range of wall thicknesses. Laser engraving the laser engraving will on extruded acrylic look. The cells are stacked on a vertical rack and put. Cast acrylic rod and tube is then polished after removal from the mold a labor intensive process which adds to its cost.

Available in a broad range of standard and custom colors for a variety of applications cast acrylic is more pliable than extruded less likely to bend chip or melt during milling. For each sheet made a gasketed glass cell must be assembled. The cell cast process manufactures individual sheets of acrylic.