Acrylic plastics

The most widely used acrylic plastics are based on polymers of methyl methacrylate. This primary constituent may be modified by copolymerizing or blending with other acrylic monomers or modifiers to obtain a variety of properties. Although acrylic polymers based on monomers other than methyl methacrylate have been investigated, they are not as important as commercial plastics and are generally confined to uses in fibers, rubbers, motor oil additives, and other special products.

Standard Acrylics

Poly(methyl methacrylate), the polymerized methyl ester of methacrylic acid, is thermoplastic. The method of polymerization may be varied to achieve specific physical properties, or the monomer may be combined with other components. Sheet materials may be prepared by casting the monomer in bulk. Suspension polymerization of the monomeric ester may be used to prepare molding powders.

Conventional poly(methyl methacrylate) is amorphous; however, reports have been published of methyl methacrylate polymers of regular configuration, which are susceptible to crystallization. Both the amorphous and crystalline forms of such crystallization-susceptible polymers possess physical properties that are different from those of the conventional polymer, and suggest new applications.

Service Properties

Acrylic thermoplastics are known for their outstanding weather ability. They are available in cast sheet, rod, and tube; extruded sheet and film; and compounds for injection molding and extrusion. They are also characterized by good impact strength, formability, and excellent resistance to sunlight, weather, and most chemicals. Maximum service temperature of heat-resistant grades is about 200°F. Standard grades are rated as slow burning, but a special self-extinguishing grade of sheet is available. Although acrylic plastic weighs less than half as much as glass, it has many times greater impact resistance. As a thermal insulator, it is approximately 20% better than glass. It is tasteless and odorless.


When poly(methyl methacrylate) is manufactured with scrupulous care, excellent optical properties are obtained. Light transmission is 92%; colorants produce a full spectrum of transparent, translucent, or opaque colors. Most colors can be formulated for long-term outdoor durability. Acrylics are normally formulated to filter UV energy in the 360-nm and lower band. Other formulations are opaque to UV light or provide reduced UV transmission; infrared light transmission is 92% at wavelengths up to 1100 millimicrons, failing irregularly to 0% at 2200 millimicrons; scattering effect is practically nil; refractive index is 1.49 to 1.50; critical angle is 42°; dispersion 0.008. Because of its excellent transparency and favorable index of refraction, acrylic plastic is often used in the manufacture of optical lenses. Superior dimensional stability makes it practicable to produce precision lenses by injection molding techniques.

In chemical resistance, poly(methyl meth-acrylate) is virtually unaffected by water, alkalies, weak acids, most inorganic solutions, mineral and animal oils, and low concentrations of alcohol. Oxidizing acids affect the material only in high concentrations. It is also virtually unaffected by paraffinic and olefinic hydrocarbons, amines, alkyl monohalides, and esters containing more than ten carbon atoms. Lower esters, aromatic hydrocarbons, phenols, aryl halides, aliphatic acids, and alkyl polyhalides usually have a solvent action. Acrylic sheet and moldings are attacked, however, by chlorinated and aromatic hydrocarbons, esters, and ketones.

Mechanical properties of acrylics are high for short-term loading. However, for long-term service, tensile stresses must be limited to 1500 psi to avoid crazing or surface cracking.

The moderate impact resistance of standard formulations is maintained even under conditions of extreme cold. High-impact grades have considerably higher impact strength than standard grades at room temperature, but impact strength decreases as temperature drops. Special formulations ensure compliance with UL standards for bullet resistance.

Although acrylic plastics are among the most scratch resistant of the thermoplastics, normal maintenance and cleaning operations can scratch and abrade them. Special abrasion-resistant sheet is available that has the same optical and impact properties as standard grades.

Toughness of acrylic sheet, as measured by resistance to crack propagation, can be improved severalfold by inducing molecular orientation during forming. Jet aircraft cabin windows, for example, are made from oriented acrylic sheet.

Transparency, gloss, and dimensional stability of acrylics are virtually unaffected by years of exposure to the elements, salt spray, or corrosive atmospheres. These materials withstand exposure to light from fluorescent lamps without darkening or deteriorating. They ultimately discolor, however, when exposed to high-intensity UV light below 265 nm. Special formulations resist UV emission from light sources such as mercury-vapor and sodium-vapor lamps.

Product Forms

Cell-cast sheet is produced in several sizes and thicknesses. The largest sheets available are 120 x 144 in., in thicknesses from 0.030 to 4.25 in. Continuous-cast material is supplied as flat sheet to V2 in. thick, in widths to 9 ft. Acrylic sheet cast by the continuous process (between stainless steel belts) is more uniform in thickness than cell-cast sheet. Cell-cast sheet, on the other hand, which is cast between glass plates, has superior optical properties and surface quality. Also, cell-cast sheet is available in a greater variety of colors and compositions. Cast acrylic sheet is supplied in general-purpose grades and in UV-absorbing, mirrored, super-thermoform-able, and cementable grades, and with various surface finishes. Sheets are available in transparent, translucent, and opaque colors.

Acrylic film is available in 2-, 3-, and 6-mil thicknesses, in clear form and in colors. It is supplied in rolls to 60 in. wide, principally for use as a protective laminated cover over other plastic materials.

Injection-molding and extrusion compounds are available in both standard and high-molecular-weight grades. Property differences between the two formulations are principally in flow and heat resistance. Higher-molecular-weight resins have lower melt-flow rates and greater hot strength during processing. Lower-molecular-weight grades flow more readily and are designed for making complex parts in hard-to-fill molds.

Fabrication Characteristics

When heated to a pliable state, acrylic sheet can be formed to almost any shape. The forming operation is usually carried out at about 290 to 340°F. Aircraft canopies, for example, are usually made by differential air pressure, either with or without molds. Such canopies have been made from (1) monolithic sheet stock, (2) laminates of two layers of acrylic, bonded by a layer of polyvinyl butyral, and (3) stretched monolithic sheet. Irregular shapes, such as sign faces, lighting fixtures, or boxes, can be made by positive pressure-forming, using molds.

Residual strains caused by forming are minimized by annealing, which also brings cemented joints to full strength. Cementing can be readily accomplished by using either solvent or polymerizable cements.

Acrylic plastic can be sawed, drilled, and machined like wood or soft metals. Saws should be hollow ground or have set teeth. Slow feed and coolant will prevent overheating. Drilling can be done with conventional metal-cutting drills. Routing requires high-speed cutters to prevent chipping. Finished parts can be sanded, and sanded surfaces can be polished with a high-speed buffing wheel. Cleaning should be by soap or detergent and water, not by solvent-type cleaners.

Acrylic molding powder may be used for injection, extrusion, or compression molding. The material is available in several grades, with a varying balance of flow characteristics and heat resistance. Acrylics give molded parts of excellent dimensional stability. Precise contours and sharp angles, important in such applications as lenses, are achieved without difficulty, and this accuracy of molding can be maintained throughout large production runs.

Since dirt, lint, and dust detract from the excellent clarity of acrylics, careful handling and storage of the molding powder are extremely important.

Applications

In merchandising, acrylic sheet has become the major sign material for internally lighted faces and letters, particularly for outdoor use where resistance to sunlight and weathering is important. In addition, acrylics are used for counter dividers, display fixtures and cases, transparent demonstration models of household appliances and industrial machines, and vending machine cases.

The ability of acrylics to resist breakage and corrosion, and to transmit and diffuse light efficiently has led to many industrial and architectural applications. Industrial window glazing, safety shields, inspection windows, machine covers, and pump components are some of the uses commonly found in plants and factories. Acrylics are employed to good advantage as the diffusing medium in lighting fixtures and large luminous ceiling areas. Dome skylights formed from acrylic sheet are an increasingly popular means of admitting daylight to industrial, commercial, and public buildings and even to private homes.

Shower enclosures and deeply formed components such as tub-shower units, which are subsequently backed with glass-fiber-reinforced polyester and decorated partitions, are other typical applications. A large volume of the material is used for curved and flat windshields on pleasure boats, both inboard and outboard types.

Acrylic sheet is the standard transparent material for aircraft canopies, windows, instrument panels, and searchlight and landing light covers. To meet the increasingly severe service requirements of pressurized jet aircraft, new grades of acrylic have been developed that have improved resistance to heat and crazing. The stretching technique has made possible enhanced resistance to both crazing and shattering. Large sheets, edge-lighted, are used as radar plotting boards in shipboard and ground-control stations.

TABLE A.3

Properties of Acrylics

ASTM

Molding Grade

Test

Property

Cast Sheet

Standard

High Impact

Physical

D792

Specific gravity

1.19

1.19

1.15 -1.17

D792

tmp61-11

23.3

23.3

24.1

D570

tmp61-12

0.2

0.3

0.3

Mechanical

D638

Tensile strength (psi)

10,500

10,500

5,400-7,000

D638

Elongation (%)

5

5

50

D638

tmp61-13

4.5

4.3

2.2-8.2

D790

Flexural strength (psi)

16,500

16,000

7,000-10,500

D790

tmp61-14

4.5

4.5

0.65-2.5

D256

Impact strength, Izod

0.4

0.4

0.6-1.2

(ft-lb/in. of notch)

D785

Hardness, Rockwell

M100-102

M95

R99-M68

Thermal

D696

Coefficient of thermal expansion

3.9

3.6

3.8

tmp61-15

D648

Deflection temperature (°F)

At 264 psi

200-215

198

170-190

At 66 psi

225

214

187

Electrical

D149

Dielectric strength (V/mil)

Short time, 1/8-in. thk

500

500

383-450

D150

Dielectric constant

At 1 kHz

3.3

3.3

3.9

At 1 MHz

2.5

2.3

2.5-3.0

D150

Dissipation factor

At 1 kHz

0.04

0.04

At 1 MHz

0.02-0.03

0.02-0.03

0.01-0.02

D257

tmp61-16 tmp61-17 tmp61-18 tmp61-19

D495

Arc resistance (s)

No track

No track

No track

Optical

D542

Refractive index

1.49

1.49

1.49

D1003

Transmittance (%)

92

92

90

In molded form, acrylics are used extensively for automotive parts, such as taillight and stoplight lenses, medallions, dials, instrument panels, and signal lights. The beauty and durability of molded acrylic products have led to their wide use for nameplates, control knobs, dials, and handles on all types of home appliances. Acrylic molding powder is also used for the manufacture of pen and pencil barrels, hairbrush backs, watch and jewelry cases, and other accessories. Large-section moldings, such as covers for fluorescent street lights, coin-operated phonograph panels, and fruit juice dispenser bowls, are being molded from acrylic powder. The extrusion of acrylic sheet from molding powder is particularly effective in the production of thin sheeting for use in such applications as signs, lighting, glazing, and partitions.

The transparency, strength, light weight, and edge-lighting characteristics of acrylics have led to applications in the fields of hospital equipment, medical examination instruments, and orthopedic devices. The use of acrylic polymers in the preparation of dentures is an established practice. Contact lenses are also made of acrylics. The embedment of normal and pathological tissues in acrylic for preservation and instructional use is an accepted technique. This has been extended to include embedment of industrial machine parts, as sales aids, and the preparation of various types of home decorative articles.

High-Impact Acrylics

High-impact acrylic molding powder is used in large-volume, general use. It is used where toughness greater than that found in the standard acrylics is desired. Other advantages include resistance to staining, high surface gloss, dimensional stability, chemical resistance, and stiffness, and they provide the same transparency and weather ability as the conventional acrylics.

High-impact acrylic is off-white and nearly opaque in its natural state and can be produced in a wide range of opaque colors. Several grades are available to meet requirements for different combinations of properties. Various members of the family have Izod impact strengths from about 0.5 to as high as 4 ft-lb/in. notch. Other mechanical properties are similar to those of conventional acrylics.

High-impact acrylics are used for hard service applications, such as women’s thin-style shoe heels and housings, ranging from electric razors to outboard motors, piano and organ keys, and beverage vending machine housings and canisters — in short, applications where toughness, chemical resistance, dimensional stability, stiffness, resistance to staining, lack of unpleasant odor or taste, and high surface gloss are required.

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