Most of us have heard the words acrylic and acrylic laser cutting, but very few know what they are and even how the laser cutting entails. For this reason, this article will dive into these two words so that when you are through with reading it, you know what these words mean.
What is Acrylic?
Well, let us start by defining what acrylic is. Acrylic is a clear plastic material resembling glass that is made from polymers of acrylic acid and acrylates. This material has properties that make it superior to glass. There are two types of acrylic. These are cast acrylic and extruded acrylic.
Cast Acrylic
As mentioned above, cast acrylic is a type of acrylic. This material is made of two sheets of glass and a rubber gasket. The rubber gasket is placed between the two sheets and then molded. The purpose of the gasket is to determine the thickness of the acrylic as it cools, therefore, the thicker the gasket, the thicker the acrylic. This type of acrylic is more versatile than extruded acrylic, but it is also more expensive. Another advantage of this type of acrylic over extruded is it is very strong. This means that it will not bend or warp when heated. It also resists scratching and copes very well with impacts. Cast acrylic is popular in the manufacture of trophies, plaques, and awards because it turns into a smooth, frosty white color when laser cut or engraved. Also, it is perfect for this type of use because the engraved surface can be visible through the piece itself.
Extruded Acrylic
The other type of acrylic is extruded acrylic. It is made using melted acrylic resins. The melted resins are then poured into a die. The liquid is then forced through rollers so that a material of even width and finish can come out at the end of the process. Unlike cast acrylic, extruded acrylic has a more constant width. It is more suited to being heated, bent, and vacuum-shaped. The only problem with this type of acrylic is it is more susceptible to cracking in some qualities. But, high-quality extruded acrylic such as Perspex gives edges that are very clean and smooth when put through laser cutting. Because it is factory made, extruded acrylic is cheaper than the cast one. This type of acrylic does not change color and produces clean shapes when laser cut or engraved. It is also suitable for those who need flat, straight pieces.
There is a lot more to learn about acrylic. We hope that the information provided here has expanded your knowledge on this material and acrylic laser cutting.
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