A lot of trade names can be usually heard while talking about Acrylics. Though the underlying material is same still you would come to learn about a list of names, for instance, Plexiglass, Lucite, etc.
Acrylic is widespread nowadays due to their ability to replace common glass. They are the most used form of thermoplastics. Acrylic is a kind of material which can be carved into any shape or form by the process of acrylic fabrication, thus making it the most suitable material for almost any relevant application.
What are the different types of acrylics?
Acrylics come with different trade names though their application is same universally. However, most of the household products carved out of acrylic offer the same version of material. Here are some of the most common trade names for acrylic:
- Plexiglass
- Lucite
- Perspex
- Polycast
- Acrylite
Acrylics vs plastics:
Fabricators say that acrylics are derivatives of plastics. Plastics can be classified into two categories; thermoplastics and thermosetting polymers. The former can be melted down after use for reformation or reuse and acrylic is an example of this kind of material.On the contrary, thermosetting plastics cannot be melted down and reused after they have been formed.
Different acrylic fabrication methods:
- Welding : Welding utilises heat to bind two or more pieces of acrylic together. This process is employed in situations where adhesives are not possible options. There are different ways of welding acrylics including hot gas emissions, contact welding, spinning, or high-frequency vibration.
- Foaming : Lightweight plastic products are crafted by this process. By using this technique, fabricators ensure proper insulation. First, polyurethane and polystyrene are used to create foam, which is then carved into different shapes and sizes.
- Moulding : In this process, heated acrylic is poured into a mould and then left for cooling and hardening. This way new products are formed. This is the most common plastic fabrication method.
- Lamination : This process involves applying a layer of coating to the surface of the acrylics. This process is often done to increase the aesthetic appeal and durability of the item. Two common types of lamination are film and resin lamination.
- Extrusion : To improve the forming and processing of the material, acrylic extrusion is conducted. This process is also required for the manufacturing of sheets, pipes and tubing components.
These are the basic techniques used in acrylic fabrication and if you are planning to get some products made out of acrylics, make sure to get in touch with reputed companies in order to avoid unfair charges.
