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Acrylic & Lexan

Acrylic sheeting is also known by the trade names "Plexiglass", "Perspect", "Lucite", "Chemcast", "Cyro" and          "Evonik".  "Lexan" is not an acrylic.

Various companies make acrylic sheeting under their own names, probably the best known being "Plexiglass", which has taken on the same common meaning as Kleenx has for tissues. While there may be some difference between brands, the basic chemicals used in their manufacture are the same. 

Acrylic is made by extrusion or casting. Extrusion means that acrylic pellets are melted and flow into a machine which produces a constant piece of acrylic that is cut every 8 or 10 feet. Casting actually involves pouring acrylic resin into a mould (usually glass) and making one sheet at a time. Cast acrylic is said to be a bit harder and more machineable than extruded acrylic. Due to the extra work involved in casting a sheet, cast acrylic is more expensive than extruded acrylic.

Acrylic sheets are also available with a plastic or paper covering, the paper being slightly more expensive.

Acrylic wears very well outside.

Acrylic is much lighter than glass, although it scratches more easily than glass.

Acrylic is different from Polycarbonte(Lexan). See "polycarbonate" for an explanation.