92% transparent.
Polishes to optical grade.
Better optical clarity than polycarbonate, harder surface, cheaper material. Acrylic is the default for transparent enclosures, light guides, displays, and optical fluidic devices. Cast or extruded, machined or polished.
PMMA grades.
The main distinction is cast vs extruded, which affects machinability, optical quality, and price. Specialty grades for impact, UV, and optical applications.
Cast PMMA
Plexiglas GS / Acrylite GP. Cast-polymerized between glass plates. Superior optical quality, excellent polish, standard for display and optics. Slightly higher cost than extruded.
Extruded PMMA
Plexiglas MC / Acrylite FF. Extruded from molten polymer. Faster to produce, lower cost, slightly less optical quality. Fine for enclosures and general transparent parts.
Impact-modified PMMA
Rubber-toughened acrylic with 5–10× the impact strength of standard PMMA. Less transparent (~88%). Bathroom fixtures, vehicle windows, impact-prone applications.
UV-stabilized PMMA
UV absorber package gives 30+ year outdoor life without yellowing. Standard acrylic yellows modestly; UV grade is indistinguishable new vs after 30 years.
Optical PMMA
Low internal stress, low birefringence for polarization-sensitive applications. Camera lenses, display covers, optical sensor windows.
Medical PMMA
Biocompatible for short-term skin contact and fluid contact. Dental aligners, IVD device housings, microfluidic chips, ophthalmic lens trials.
Why acrylic over other transparent plastics.
Acrylic dominates transparent plastic applications where impact isn't the driver. It beats PC on clarity, scratch resistance, and cost.
Higher light transmission
92% vs 89% for polycarbonate. Matches or exceeds glass (90–92%). Critical for optical devices, lightguides, and premium display applications.
Scratch resistance
Surface hardness 2H–3H pencil (vs PC 2H). Does not mar as easily under everyday handling. For scratch-critical, specify hardcoated PMMA (5H).
Lower cost
Approximately 50% of polycarbonate cost per kg. For non-impact transparent applications, acrylic is the economic choice.
Polishes to optical finish
Flame, vapor, or diamond polishing achieves Ra 0.05 µm mirror finish. Adequate for many optical applications without coating.
PMMA applications.
Display covers
Trade show displays, POS display cases, museum exhibits
Lightguides & LGPs
Edge-lit LED panels, smartphone backlights, automotive light guides
Microfluidic devices
Lab-on-chip, PCR chips, organ-on-chip research platforms
Signage & POP
Retail signage, dimensional lettering, backlit signs
Optical windows
Scanner glass, instrument viewports, laboratory glazing
Architectural glazing
Skylights, canopies, pool enclosures (UV-stabilized)
Aquariums
Large-format tanks — acrylic replaces glass for strength and clarity
Automotive lenses
Instrument cluster covers, tail lamp components, interior lighting
Medical devices
Infusion chambers, microfluidic chips, IVD reagent cells
PMMA finishing.
As-machined
Typical Ra 1.6 µm frosted finish. Tool marks visible — usually requires secondary polishing for optical use.
Flame polished
Hydrogen or oxygen-propane flame polishes to near-transparent. Fast but less consistent than mechanical.
Diamond polished
Diamond wheel polish to Ra 0.05 µm optical finish. Premium finish for optical components.
Vapor polished
Methylene chloride vapor smooths surface — faster than mechanical, creates slight crazing risk.
Hardcoated
Silica hardcoat raises surface hardness to 5H pencil. For touch-screen covers, scratch-critical applications.
Anti-reflection
Optical AR coating for display covers, reduces surface glare and reflection.
Tinted
Transparent tinted in bronze, grey, green, blue. For privacy glazing, sunglasses lens prototypes.
Laser cut edges
Laser cutting produces polished transparent edge — no secondary polish needed on cut edges.