What Properties Make Perspex Acrylic Sheets the Perfect Modern Alternative to Regular Glass?
There is an almost endless range of industrial applications for Perspex, from regular windows to skylights, boats to fish tanks, furniture to fashion, signage to displays, etc. Perspex is the trademarked name for a wide range of acrylic products (acrylic sheets) available on the market today. Perspex acrylic sheets have gained widespread popularity across the world largely due to their ability replace regular glass. But what are the specific properties of Perspex acrylic sheets that make them a perfect alternative to regular glass? Continue reading on below to find out.
Perspex acrylic sheets are more durable. Regular glass has been the traditional choice of glazing material primarily due to its transparency. However, users of products manufactured using regular glass have had to contend with the fact that regular glass is quite fragile. One of the biggest perks of Perspex acrylic sheets over regular glass is their ability to last longer. Perspex does not shatter like regular glass, thanks to its superior strength and impact resistance. And, when it is subjected to heavy impact, Perspex will not easily break into shards — the small pieces of broken material. This makes Perspex acrylic sheets not only long-lasting, but also a safer option.
Perspex acrylic sheets can offer superior light transmission. Though Perspex acrylic sheets are stronger and more durable, the principal reason why they are used as a modern alternative for regular glass is because of their glass-like properties. Clear sheets of acrylic are transparent in nature and can be used for virtually any application that traditionally required the use of regular glass. Depending on the quality of light transmission required for a particular application, industrial-grade Perspex can be fabricated to transmit visible light from a light source just as efficiently as regular glass.
Perspex acrylic sheets offer better heat retention. Generally speaking, plastics are poorer conductors of heat (better heat insulators) compared to glass. Therefore, when it comes to applications that require thermal retention, Perspex acrylic sheets would make a better alternative to regular glass. Acrylic has a lower heat transfer co-efficient compared to regular glass, meaning that it has a lower thermal conductivity. This, in turn, leads to less heat loss.
With these benefits, it is easy to understand why Perspex acrylic products are generally more expensive than comparable glass products. The best way to ensure you get a product that suits your particular industrial application is to talk to professionals about your needs.