Perspex vs Acrylic: What Are The Differences?
Are you looking for Perspex?
What is the difference between Acrylic and Perspex?
What is Perspex? Perspex is a brand name for acrylic sheet. Acrylic is a commonly used name for Polymethyl Methacrylate (PMMA) which is produced by numerous manufacturers around the world. Each manufacturer then brands their sheets - some of the most common brands available in the UK are Perspex, Plexiglas, Policril, Acryglas and Acrycast.
Does Sheet Plastics supply the Perspex brand?
Although we do not supply the Perspex brand, we do supply acrylic sheets that are of comparable quality. We source our acrylic sheets from some of the best manufacturers around the world to offer our customers the highest quality at the best prices.
What are the comparable characteristics between Perspex and our range of Acrylic Sheets?
Below is some information which shows some of the similarities between the Perspex brand* and one of our brands of Acrylic Sheet. Comparing the characteristics of Acrylic to Perspex shows very little difference between the two products. If you have previously bought Perspex, you will notice very little difference if you opt for Acrylic sheets from Sheet Plastics in the future.
| BRAND | PERSPEX | ACRYCAST |
| DENSITY | 1.19 | 1.19 |
| FIRE RATING | CLASS 3 | CLASS 3 |
| MAXIMUM SERVICE TEMPATURE | 80 Degrees C | 80 Degrees C |
| LIGHT TRANMISSION 3MM CLEAR | >92 | >92 |
| GUARANTEE AGAINST DISCOLOURATION | 10 YEARS | 10 YEARS |
Our range of Acrylic Sheets can also be processed in the same ways as Perspex. These methods include laser cutting, CNC Cutting, Bending, Polishing, Forming, Cutting and Moulding.
*Perspex characteristics are taken from Perspex data sheets.
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Why Use Acrylic Panels
All of our acrylic sheets are impact resistant and shatterproof making them perfect for any use. As well as being lighter and more durable than glass, our clear acrylic sheets have clarity of 93%, greater than many common glass options.
Our mirrored and coloured acrylics are easy to clean making them ideal for splashbacks, giving your walls a modern feel whilst protecting them from anything that you can throw at them.
Our plastic sheets are available in a range of finishes including matte, clear and high gloss allowing you to choose a style to suit you, whether you’d
FAQ
Is perspex the same as acrylic?
Sheets of Perspex® are essentially just sheets or acrylic however ‘Perspex’ is a brand whereas an acrylic sheet is an item. There are many other brands of acrylic such as Plexiglass, Acrylite and Lucite.
Can you cut perspex?
Yes, Perspex is just a brand name for acrylic sheets which we have available in a huge range of designs available for custom cutting.
How big is a sheet of acrylic?
Our acrylic sheets are available in a range of sizes up to 3040mm x 2040mm. We can cut our plastic sheeting to your desired size to minimise cost and waste.
Is acrylic stronger than Perspex?
Perspex® acrylic sheet is a brand of acrylic sheeting that has an impact resistance 17 times stronger than glass. There is no difference in strength between Perspex and Sheet Plastics acrylic sheeting.
Is acrylic better to use than glass?
All acrylic sheets, and branded acrylic such as Plexiglass and Perspex, are more shatter-resistant, stronger, lighter and more resistant to erosion than glass.
Can you drill through acrylic?
Acrylic sheets, and branded acrylic such as Perspex, Plexiglass, Lucite, and Acrylite, require special drill bits to properly drill through them. Our drills are designed specifically for drilling into acrylic sheets, unlike normal metal drill bits which cause damages such as chipping and cracking.
How do you cut acrylic cleanly?
Our cutting machines are designed to get the smoothest cut possible from any acrylic however if desired we can also polish the corners to ensure a flawless finish.
If you would like to submit an enquiry to us, order a number of separate designs or would like further information on any of our products please contact us or fill in the form below
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