Is Acrylic the Same as Plexiglass and Perspex?

When shopping for clear plastic sheets, you'll often encounter three common terms: acrylic, Plexiglass, and Perspex. Understanding the relationship between these materials can help you make the right purchasing decision for your project.

The Simple Answer

Yes, acrylic, Plexiglass, and Perspex are essentially the same material. They are all brand names or generic terms for the same chemical compound: poly(methyl methacrylate), or PMMA. This versatile plastic is known for its clarity, durability, and versatility.

 

Different Names for Acrylic (PMMA)

 

  • Acrylic (PMMA): A transparent thermoplastic known as polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), commonly used as a lightweight or shatter-resistant alternative to glass.
  • Plexiglas®: A brand name for PMMA owned by Röhm GmbH, a German company. Röhm markets PLEXIGLAS® in Europe, Asia, Africa, and Australia, and under the name ACRYLITE® in the Americas.
  • Perspex®: A brand name for PMMA products. Historically, it was associated with ICI Acrylics, which is now part of Lucite International. Lucite International is a subsidiary of Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation.
  • Lucite®: A brand name for PMMA products owned by Lucite International, which is part of Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation. 
  • Acrylite®: The brand name used by Röhm GmbH for its PMMA products in the Americas.
  • Optix®: A brand of PMMA sheets produced by Plaskolite. These sheets are available in various forms, including extruded, continuous cast, and cell cast.
  • Altuglas®: A brand of PMMA products owned by Trinseo. Trinseo offers a range of Altuglas® PMMA resins for various applications. 
  • Polycast®: A brand of cell-cast acrylic sheets originally produced by Polycast, now owned by Spartech LLC. 
  • Setacryl®: A brand of PMMA sheets produced by MADREPERLA S.p.A., a company based in Spain.

Think of this relationship like tissues: while all Kleenex are tissues, not all tissues are Kleenex. Similarly, all Plexiglass and Perspex products are acrylic, but not all acrylic products are these specific brands.

Why Choose Acrylic Sheets?

Acrylic offers impressive benefits compared to glass and other plastics:

  • 17 times more impact-resistant than glass
  • Half the weight of glass
  • More transparent than glass
  • Weather-resistant and UV-stable
  • Easy to cut, drill, and form
  • Available in countless colours, finishes, and thicknesses

Common Applications

  • Arts and Crafts
  • Signage and displays
  • Protective barriers and shields
  • Furniture components
  • Art installations
  • DIY home projects
  • Aquarium construction
  • Window replacements
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