Physical Properties

• Acrylic sheets are made by cell casting acrylic plastic into sheets of varying thicknesses. Acrylic sheets are known for their durability and versatility. They are resistant to damage by many chemicals, notably ammonia, dilute acids and aliphatic hydrocarbons. Acrylic sheets are also resistant to most types of weather, including high winds and heat. Light transmission through clear acrylic sheets is equal to or slightly better than light transmission through glass.
  
  

Sizes and Colors

• Acrylic sheets are commercially available in almost any color or size up to 10 x 10 feet. Most home improvement stores or acrylic sheet dealers will cut their products to the size you need for a minimal fee. Transparent, translucent and opaque acrylic sheets are available in a wide variety of colors. The thickness of acrylic sheets typically ranges from one-eighth of an inch to one inch. Some commercial uses, such as high-rise windows, require acrylic that can be up to two inches thick. You can also purchase acrylic tubes, rods and other shapes in addition to flat sheets of acrylic.
  
  

Uses

• Acrylic sheets are a very versatile material, used in everything from aquariums and windows to display cases and picture frames. Ultraviolet-resistant acrylic sheets are used by artists and galleries to protect valuable art from damage; all types of acrylic sheets are used in multimedia artwork by professional artists and hobbyists alike. Acrylic is also used for glazing windows to make them bullet proof or intruder-resistant. Aquariums are often made by building a box from acrylic and sealing it with silicon caulk.
  
  

Working with Acrylic

• Acrylic sheets can be a difficult material to work with if you are not familiar with how to handle acrylic. Acrylic sheets come with a paper backing or film on them. It is best to leave this film on the acrylic sheet as long as possible to protect it from chipping or scratching while you are working with the acrylic. Acrylic sheets less than one-quarter-inch thick can be scored with a knife or razor blade and then broken along the score. Acrylic sheets over one-quarter inch can be cut with a table saw if the saw is equipped with a blade to cut glass or acrylic. Acrylic glue can be purchased anywhere acrylic sheets are sold. This glue is actually a solvent that melts the acrylic and by doing so joins two acrylic pieces together.