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Acrylic (PMMA)
Acrylic, or polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), is a rigid, transparent amorphous thermoplastic with about 92% light transmission, slightly better than glass. It resists UV and weathering better than polycarbonate and scratches less. Typical tensile strength is 10,000 psi (70 MPa). It is brittle, with much lower impact strength than PC. Use it for lenses, light pipes, displays and signage.
- ISO 1043
- PMMA
- ASTM
- D788 (PMMA molding and extrusion compounds)
- Trade names
- Plexiglas, Acrylite, Perspex, Lucite
How does it compare?
Typical room-temperature values for PMMA, against all 48 materials in the library.
- Tensile strength
- 70 MPa33th pct
- Density
- 1.19 g/cm³23th pct
- Max service temp
- 80 °C0th pct
- Elongation
- 4 %8th pct
- Relative cost
- $$$$$
Bars are relative to the strongest, densest or hottest material in the SSG library. Percentile vs all 48 materials.
- Density
- 1.19 g/cm³ · 0.0430 lb/in³
- Tensile strength
- 70 MPa · 10.2 ksi
- Elongation
- 4%
- Elastic modulus
- 3.2 GPa · 0.5 Msi
- Hardness
- Rockwell M93
- Max service temperature
- 80 °C · 176 °F
- Thermal conductivity
- 0.19 W/m·K
When should you use PMMA?
Strengths
- About 92% light transmission with low haze
- Excellent UV and weather resistance without coating
- Harder and more scratch resistant than polycarbonate
- Machines, polishes and laser cuts to clear edges
- Rigid, with modulus near 3.2 GPa (460 ksi)
Watch for
- Brittle; notched impact strength far below polycarbonate
- Stress-cracks with solvents, alcohols and some cleaners
- Low heat resistance; continuous use below about 175 °F (80 °C)
- Optical parts need SPI A-1 or A-2 polished tooling
Typical parts
- Light pipes and LED lenses
- Display windows and bezels
- Automotive tail light lenses
- Point-of-purchase displays and signage
- Medical cuvettes and fluid-path parts
- Machine sight windows
How PMMA is made into parts
Cost, finishes and design rules for each process in this material.
Injection molding in PMMAMolten thermoplastic injected into a steel or aluminum mold. Lowest piece price for plastic parts at 5,000+ a year.
CNC machining in PMMACNC milling, turning, and production sawing from bar, plate, castings, and forgings, from prototype to production.
Offshore sourcing in PMMAParts made by vetted overseas manufacturers, with landed-cost analysis, quality control, and logistics managed.
What does a part in PMMA cost?
A representative part, injection molding. Raw material at about $3.00/kg is one line of it; process time and tooling usually matter more.
Housing · Injection molding
Order total $24,028
- Tooling
- $17,029
- one-time, spread over the order
- Piece price
- $0.66
- before setup + tooling
- Lead time
- 6–9 weeks
- to first production
Size
Drag a row to adjust · click to type
Length140140 mm
Width90.090.0 mm
Wall2.202.20 mm
Quantity
Price per part falls as volume rises
Exact quantity1000010000 pcs
Material
Design checks pass
Open in builderBudgetary estimate for a representative part. Firm quotes come from principals after drawing review.
PMMA questions
Acrylic vs polycarbonate: which is better?
Acrylic is clearer (about 92% vs 88–90%), more scratch and UV resistant, stiffer and cheaper. Polycarbonate is roughly 30× tougher in notched impact and has about 60 °F (35 °C) higher heat deflection. Use acrylic for optics and displays, PC for impact.
Is acrylic UV resistant?
Yes. PMMA is inherently UV stable and keeps its clarity outdoors for years, which is why it is used for signs and lighting lenses. UV-filtering grades also block transmission to protect displays.
Can acrylic be machined?
Yes. Cast acrylic sheet machines and polishes to clear edges with sharp tools, air or coolant, and moderate feeds. Extruded sheet is cheaper but chips and stress-cracks more easily. Flame or diamond polishing restores clarity on cut edges.
Quote it in PMMA.
Upload CAD or start from a template. The builder prices it in this material and the alternatives.