what is acrylic plastic

11 months ago 38
Nature

Acrylic plastic, also known as poly(methyl methacrylate) or PMMA, is a transparent thermoplastic homopolymer). It was first produced in 1928 and has unique properties that make it ideal for a variety of purposes, ranging from basic household items to fiber optic cables that power the world. Some of the key properties of acrylic plastic include high impact resistance, high optical clarity, innate weatherability, and UV resistance. Acrylic plastic is often used in sheet form as a lightweight or shatter-resistant alternative to glass, and it can also be used as a casting resin, in inks and coatings, and for many other purposes). Although PMMA is often called simply "acrylic", acrylic can also refer to other polymers or copolymers containing polyacrylonitrile). Notable trade names and brands include Hesalite, Acrylite, Lucite, Plexiglas, Optix, Perspex, and Crystallite, among several others).