Difference Between Acrylic And Plastic And Their Distinctive Features

Acrylic and plastic differ completely from each other. Although they fall under the same family tree, their creating methods, tools, and techniques, are significantly different. However, plastic is just a generic term to point at the huge family of semi-synthetic materials, and apart from acrylic, there is polycarbonate and polystyrene, which carries different features and properties of its own. Before, you think of purchasing good acrylic sheets, to create acrylic signs, it is important for you to have a clear understanding, about the clear plastics and its kinds. Give below information, will provide you complete information, on all the types of clear plastics. They are:

ü  Acrylic: Acrylic is a type of thermoplastic, where it carries petroleum as its base and is created from the derivation of natural gas. This clear plastic also goes by the name polyacrylate and can be hand-crafted or injection molded. This plastic is considered having similarities with glass, and be used for creating sunglasses, acrylic display case, and bakery bins. Unlike their hand-crafted counterparts, the material is considered being cheaper, and the hand-crafted acrylic is well-known to be much more upscale. Therefore, these plastics are much stronger and of high-quality.

ü  Polycarbonate: Polycarbonates are a type of clear thermoplastic, with a good amount of durability. These types of clear plastics can be molded and shaped very easily, and are used for numerous reasons, which includes the construction industry, and creates safety glasses. It can be bent at room temperature and happens to be much more expensive than plexiglass. However, polycarbonate is well-known to be used for creating bullet for glass, as it serves it purpose on armored vehicles and airplanes.

ü  Polystyrene: Unlike the above-mentioned clear plastics, polystyrene happens to be the thinnest clear plastic of all. The plastic is also known to be much cheaper, and are used to create consumer goods like CD cases, disposable razor blades, and license plates. The polystyrene does not carry a high-quality appearance, which is not used for creating display cases, and showcases.

 With the above-mentioned clear plastics and its major differences from each other, will enable you to receive a clear understanding. However, acrylic wins the best to be the best material, for creating exterior and interior design products, and also unique pieces of decorative items. Therefore, because for its durable feature polycarbonate will be best suited to create custom cut boat windows, as it will offer protection from unwanted damages. Polystyrene is well-suited to create low-cost consumer goods, which is much more cost-effective when produced.

The features between plastic and acrylic

 There are numerous features that both of these materials carry, and you will also find it to differ completely from each. Given below are the features of each material. They are:

     Acrylic:

→ Has a good optical clarity.

→ Good weather-ability and also resistant to sunlight.

→ It is rigid and carries a good impact strength.

→ Low mold shrinkage and dimensionally stable.

→ Creates good bi-axial toughness through stretching.

Plastic:

→ Low in cost.

→ Resistant to corrosion, shock, water, and chemicals.

→ Thermally and electrically insulative.

→ Durable.

→ Can be manufactured easily.

The above-mentioned are some of the features, of both the materials that will enable you, to choose products and items accordingly.

Summing up!

The above-mentioned information will provide you a clear image of how different acrylic is from its other siblings. It is recommended that you used acrylic products and items, as it carries all the features, from durability to resistance properties.