ACRYLITE® Premium (FF) Technical Information

TECHNICAL INFORMATION ACRYLITE Premium FF Physical Properties for Extruded Sheet ACRYLITE premiumFF is the highest quality continuously manufactured sheet on the market today. Using a proprietary innovative process ACRYLITE premium FF sheet products are economical provide tight thickness tolerance high optical characteristics and low stress levels. ACRYLITE premium FF sheet is readily available in a variety of standard sizes thicknesses and colors. Clear ACRYLITE premium FF sheet carries an exclusive 30-year limited warranty on light transmission your assurance of a quality product. Weather Resistance Characteristics Although ACRYLITE will expand and contract due to changes in temperature and humidity it will not shrink with age. Some shrinkage occurs when ACRYLITE is heated to forming temperature but post-forming stability is excellent. ACRYLITE premium FF is a lightweight rigid and weather-resistant thermoplastic that is dimensionally stable resistant to breakage and can be easily fabricated and cemented. ACRYLITE premium FF sheet will withstand exposure to blazing sun extreme cold sudden temperature changes salt water spray etc. It will not deteriorate after many years of service because of the inherent stability of acrylic resins. ACRYLITE has been widely accepted for use in school buildings industrial plants and outdoor signs. Dimensional Stability Light Weight Because of its virtually distortion-free clarity it is well suited for use in a variety of applications. ACRYLITE sheet is only half the weight of glass and 43 the weight of aluminum. Skylights Window glazing Retail displays Signs Optical displays Picture framing Rigidity ACRYLITE sheet is not as rigid as glass or metals. However it is more rigid than many other plastics such as acetates polycarbonates or vinyls. Under wind load an acrylic sheet will bow and foreshorten as a result of deflection. Availability ACRYLITE premium FF sheet is available in thicknesses from .060 1.5 mm to .472 12 mm and

actual sheet sizes from 48 x 96 to 72 X 120. Custom sizes are also available. All sheets are protected with polyethylene film or paper masking. For glazing installations the maximum wind load and the size of the window must be considered when the thickness of a panel is to be determined. If ACRYLITE sheet is formed into corrugated or domed shapes rigidity will be increased and deflection minimized. Safety Cold Flow ACRYLITE premiumFF sheet is more impact resistant than glass. If subjected to impact beyond the limit of its resistance it does not shatter into small slivers but breaks into comparatively large pieces. ACRYLITE sheet meets the requirements of ANSI Z97.1 for use as a Safety Glazing Material in Buildings for thicknesses .080 to .500 2.0 mm 12.0 mm. Large flat ACRYLITE sheet if insufficiently supported may deform permanently due to continuous loads such as snow or even their own weight. Increased rigidity obtained by forming will minimize cold flow. ACRYLITE premium physical properties 1121G Technical Information 1124 ACRYLITE Premium FF Physical Properties for Extruded Sheet Strength and Stresses Although the tensile strength of ACRYLITE premium FF is 10000 psi 69 Mpa at room temperature ASTM D 638 stress crazing can be caused by continuous loads below this value. For glazing applications continuously imposed design loads should not exceed 750 psi 5.2 Mpa at 73F 23C. Temporary loads of up to 1500 psi 10.4 Mpa may be imposed for short durations of time at 73F 23C. Localized concentrated stresses must be avoided. For this reason and because of thermal expansion and contraction large sheets should never be fastened with bolts but should always be installed in frames. All thermoplastic materials including ACRYLITE premium FF sheet will gradually lose tensile strength as the temperature approaches the maximum recommended for continuous service 160F 71C. Components made of ACRYLITE should not be exposed to high heat sources such as high wattage lamps unles

s the finished product is ventilated to permit the dissipation of heat. Light Transmission Clear colorless ACRYLITE premium FF sheet has a light transmittance of 92. It is warranted not to lose more than 2-15 of its light-transmitting ability in a 30-year period. Contact Roehm America LLC for the complete warranty. ACRYLITE Gallery UV filtering OP3 sheet is formulated with ultraviolet absorbers designed to help protect pictures photographs and posters from the damaging effects of ultraviolet light. ACRYLITE Gallery UV filtering OP3 sheet absorbs more than 99.7 of the radiation in the ultraviolet range below 200-390 nanometers. Solar Energy Control Expansion and Contraction Like most other plastics ACRYLITE premium FF sheet will expand and contract from 3 to 8 times as much as glass or metals. The designer should be aware of its coefficient of expansion and make appropriate provisions. A 48 panel will expand and contract approximately .002 for each degree fahrenheit change in temperature. In outdoor use where summer and winter temperatures differ as much as 100F a 48 sheet will expand and contract approximately 316. Sash rabbets must be of sufficient depth to allow for expansion as well as for contraction. Transparent colored ACRYLITE extruded sheet can be used to reduce glare and solar energy transmittance. Transparent colored sheets are available in a range of color densities. This wide range of transmittance values enables the architect to select a density which will provide adequate daylight and at the same time will control glare and solar heat build-up. ACRYLITE premium FF also absorbs water when exposed to high relative humidity resulting in expansion of the sheet. At relative humidity of 100 80 and 60 the dimensional changes are 0.6 0.3 and 0.2 respectively. Heat Resistance ACRYLITE premium FF sheet can be used at temperatures from -30F -34C up to 190F 88C depending on the application. It is recommended that temperatures not exceed 160F 71C for continuous ser

vice or 190F 88C for short intermittent use. Distribution of Solar Energy ACRYLITE premium physical properties 1121G Technical Information 1124 page 28 ACRYLITE Premium FF Physical Properties for Extruded Sheet Chemical Resistance ACRYLITE premium FF has excellent resistance to many chemicals including machine direction when heated without a frame. Sheet thicknesses of .118 3.0 mm and greater will shrink no more than 3. Thinner thicknesses could shrink more. Cutting and Machining Solutions of inorganic alkalies such as ammonia Dilute acids such as sulfuric acid up to a concentration of 30 Aliphatic hydrocarbons such as hexane and VMP naphtha ACRYLITE premium FF sheet is not attacked by most foods and foods are not affected by it. It is attacked in varying degrees by Aromatic solvents such as benzene and toluene Chlorinated hydrocarbons such as methylene chloride and carbon tetrachloride Ethyl and methyl alcohols Some organic acids such as acetic acid Lacquer thinners esters ketones and ethers For a listing of the resistance of ACRYLITE sheet to more than 60 chemicals refer to the table on page 5. ACRYLITE premium FF sheet can be sawed with circular saws or band saws. It can be drilled routed filed and machined much like wood or brass with a slight modification of tools. Because the sheet softens quickly it is necessary to keep the cutting tool and machined edge of the sheet as cool as possible. Cooling of the cutting tool is recommended. Tool sharpness and trueness are essential to prevent gumming heat buildup and stresses in the part. Heat buildup at the machined edge could lead to subsequent stress crazing and therefore must be avoided. Laser Cutting Laser technology is ideal for quick and accurate cutting welding drilling scribing and engraving of plastics. CO2 lasers focus a large amount of light energy on a very small area which is extremely effective for cutting complex shapes in acrylic sheet. The laser beam produces a narrow kerf in the plastic a

llowing for close nesting of parts and minimal waste. Formability ACRYLITE premium FF sheet will soften as the temperature is increased above 195F 91C. As the temperature is increased the sheet passes through the thermo-elastic state to the thermoplastic state. The change is gradual rather than sharply defined. The forming temperature range is between 290F and 320F 143C and 160C. Because the sheet gradually becomes thermoplastic certain procedures should be considered during thermoforming. If the sheet is to be hung in an oven it is necessary to use a continuous clamp rather than several individual clamps. This will prevent the sheet from permanently deforming between clamps. If the sheet is to be heated by infrared heaters while clamped in a horizontal frame it may be necessary to control the heaters above the center of the sheet. This will prevent the center from becoming too hot and sagging under its own weight. CO2 lasers vaporize the acrylic as they advance resulting in a clean polished edge but with high stress levels annealing acrylic sheet after laser cutting is recommended to minimize the chance of crazing during the service life of the part. Cementing ACRYLITE sheet can be cemented using common solvent cements or polymerizable cements such as ACRIFIX. The most critical factor is good edge preparation of the part to be cemented. The edge of the sheet must be properly machined in order to have a square flat surface and no stresses. Annealing of the part prior to cementing is recommended. Cement and cement fumes should not contact formed or polished surfaces. Annealing The sheet will exhibit very little memory after forming and probably will not return to its original flat condition if reheated. ACRYLITE premium FF sheet will shrink in the ACRYLITE premium physical properties 1121G Technical Information 1124 ACRYLITE premium FF sheet may be annealed at 180F 82C with the heating and cooling times determined by page 38 ACRYLITE Premium FF Physical Propertie

s for Extruded Sheet the sheet thickness. An approximate guideline is annealing time in hours equals the sheet thickness in millimeters and the cool-down period is a minimum of 2 hours ending when sheet temperature falls below 140F. For example 18 3mm ACRYLITE sheet would be heated for 3 hours at 180F 82C and slowly cooled for 3 hours. difference on each of its two sides. This value takes into account the thickness of the sheet whether the sheet is in a horizontal or vertical position as well as the wind velocity. U-Factors are based on specific conditions e.g. singleglazed or double-glazed installations and are different for summer and winter. Flammability Listed below are U-Factors for several thicknesses of ACRYLITE sheet for single-glazed vertical installations based on the standard ASHRAE summer and winter design conditions. ACRYLITE is a combustible thermoplastic. Precautions should be taken to protect this material from flames and high heat sources. ACRYLITE sheet usually burns rapidly to completion if not extinguished. The products of combustion if sufficient air is present are carbon dioxide and water. However in many fires sufficient air will not be available and toxic carbon monoxide will be formed as it will when other common combustible materials are burned. We urge good judgment in the use of this versatile material and recommend that building codes be followed carefully to assure it is used properly. The combustibility test data for ACRYLITE sheet is selfignition temperature ASTM D-1929 is 850F 455C smoke density as measured by ASTM D-2843 is 6.4 and the rate of burning as measured by ASTM D-635 is 1.0 in min 25mmmin for 18 3mm thick sheet. While these data are based on small scale laboratory tests frequently referenced in various building codes these tests do not duplicate actual fire conditions. Thermal Conductivity The thermal conductivity of a materialits ability to conduct heatis called k-Factor. The k-Factor is an inherent property of the materi

al and is independent of its thickness and of the surroundings to which it is exposed. The k-Factor of ACRYLITE sheet is 1.3 B.T.U. hour sq. ft. Finch or 0.19 W m. K Whereas the k-Factor is a physical property of the material the U-Factoror overall coefficient of heat transferis the value used to calculate the total heat loss or gain through a window. The U-Factor is the amount of heat per unit time and area which will pass through a specific thickness and configuration of material per degree of temperature ACRYLITE premium physical properties 1121G Technical Information 1124 U-FactorsBTUhour sq. ft. F wm x K ACRYLITE premium FF Sheet Thickness Summer Conditions Winter Conditions mm inches 3.0 .118 0.98 5.56 1.06 6.02 4.5 .177 0.94 5.34 1.02 5.79 6.0 .236 0.90 5.11 0.97 5.51 9.5 .375 0.834.71 0.89 5.05 American Society of Heating Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers The total heat loss or gain through a window due to temperature difference only can be calculated by multiplying the area of the window times the difference between indoor and outdoor temperatures times the appropriate U-Factor from Table above. Heat intake through solar radiation must be added to arrive at the total heat gain. ACRYLITE premium FF sheet is a better insulator than glass. Its U-Factor or overall coefficient of heat transfer is approximately 10 lower than that of glass of the same thickness. Conversely its RT-Factor is about 10 greater. Thermal Shock and Stresses ACRYLITE premium FF sheet is more resistant than glass to thermal shock and to stresses caused by substantial temperature differences between a sunlit and a shaded area of a window or by temperature differences between opposite surfaces of a window. page 48 ACRYLITE Premium FF Physical Properties for Extruded Sheet Surface Hardness Exposure The surface of plastic is not as hard as that of glass. Therefore reasonable care should be exercised in handling and cleaning ACRYLITE sheet. Length of exposure stresses induced du

ring the life of the product due to various loads changes in temperatures etc. Electrical Properties Application of Chemicals ACRYLITE sheet has many desirable electrical properties. It is a good insulator. Its surface resistivity is higher than that of most plastics. Continuous outdoor exposure has little effect on its electrical properties. by contact rubbing wiping spraying etc. The table should therefore be used as only a general guide and in case of doubt it should be supplemented by tests made under actual working conditions. Chemical Resistance The table on the next page gives an indication of the chemical resistance of ACRYLITE premium FF sheet. The code used to describe chemical resistance is as follows R Resistant ACRYLITE premium FF sheet only withstands this substance for long periods and a temperature of 120F 49C. LR Limited Resistance ACRYLITE premium FF sheet only resist the action of this substances for a short periods at room temperatures. The resistance for particular application must be determined. N Non Resistant ACRYLITE premium FF sheet is not resistance to this substance. It is swelled attacked dissolved or damaged in some manner. Plastic materials can be attacked by chemicals in several ways. The methods of fabrication and or conditions of exposure of ACRYLITE sheet as well as the manner in which the chemical are supplied can influence the final results even for R coded chemicals. Some of these factors are listed on the next page Fabrication Stress generated while sawing sanding machining drilling andor forming. ACRYLITE premium physical properties 1121G Technical Information 1124 page 58 ACRYLITE Premium FF Physical Properties for Extruded Sheet Chemical Resistance of Clear ACRYLITE Chemical Code Chemical Code Chemical Code Acetic Acid 5 LR Ethyl Acetate N Nitric Acid 40 LR Acetic Acid Glacial Acetone Ammonium Chloride Ammonium Hydroxide 10 Ammonium Hydroxide Conc. Aniline Battery Acid Benzene Butyl Acetate Calcium Chloride Sat. Calci

um Hypochlorite Carbon Tetrachloride Chloroform Chromic Acid Citric Acid 20 Cottonseed Oil Edible Detergent Solution Heavy Duty Diesel Oil Diethyl Ether Dimethyl Formamide N N R R R N R N N R R N N LR R R R R N N Ethyl Alcohol 30 Ethyl Alcohol 95 Ethylene Dichloride Ethylene Glycol Gasoline Glycerine Heptane Hexane Hydrochloric Acid Hydrofluoric Acid 25 Hydrogen Peroxide 40 Hydrogen Peroxide 40 Isopropyl Alcohol Kerosene Lacquer Thinner Methyl Alcohol 30 Methyl Alcohol 100 Methyl Ethyl Ketone MEK Methylene Chloride Mineral Oil LR N N R LR R R R R N R LR LR R N LR N N N R Nitric Acid Conc. Oleic Acid Olive Oil Phenol Solution 5 Soap Solution Mild dish soap Sodium Carbonate 2 Sodium Carbonate 20 Sodium Chloride 10 Sodium Hydroxide 1 Sodium Hydroxide 10 Sodium Hydroxide 60 Sodium Hypochlorite 5 Sulfuric Acid 3 Sulfuric Acid 30 Sulfuric Acid Conc. Toluene Transformer Oil Trichloroethylene Turpentine Water N R R N R R R R R R R R R R N N R N R R Dioctyl Phthalate N Nitric Acid 10 R Xylene N ACRYLITE premium physical properties 1121G Technical Information 1124 page 68 ACRYLITE Premium FF Physical Properties for Extruded Sheet Physical Characteristics of ACRYLITE Propertya Mechanical ASTM Method Typical Value 0.250 Thickness lb Specific Gravity D 792 1.19 Tensile Strength Elongation Rupture Modulus of Elasticity D 638 10000 psi 69 M Pa 4.5 400000 psi 2800 M Pa Flexural Strength Modulus of Elasticity D 790 17000 psi 117 M Pa 480000 psi 3300 M Pa Compressive Strength Yield D 695 17000 psi 117 M Pa Impact Strength Izod Milled Notched D 256 0.4 ft.lbsin. of notch 21.6 Jm of notch Rockwell Hardness D 785 M-93 Barcol Hardness D 2583 48 Refractive Index D 542 1.49 Light Transmission Total D 1003 92 Forming Temperature - Approx. 300F 149C Deflection Temperature Under Load 264 psi D 648 195F 91C Vicat Softening Point D 1525 220F 105C Maximum Recommended Continuous Service Temperature - 160Fc 71C Coefficient of Linear Thermal Expansion D 696 0.000040 inin - F .000072 mm - C Co

efficient of Thermal Conductivity Cenco-Fitch 1.3 BTUHr Sq.Ft. Fin. 0.19 wmK Flammability Burning Rate 0.125 thickness D 635 1.0 inmin. 25 mmmin. Self-Ignition Temperature D 1929 850F 455C Specific Heat 77F - 0.35 BTUIb. F 1470JKgK Smoke Density Rating D 2843 4.8 Dielectric Strength Short Time 0.125 D 149 430 voltsmil 17 KVmm Dielectric Constant 60 Hertz 1000 Hertz 1000000 Hertz D 150 Dissipation Factor 60 Hertz 1000 Hertz 1000000 Hertz D 150 Volume Resistivity D 257 1016ohm-cm Surface Resistivity D 257 1015ohms Water Absorption 24 hrs 73F D 570 0.2 Odor - None Taste - None Optical Thermal Electrical 3.6 3.3 2.8 0.06 0.04 0.02 NOTES a Typical values should not be used for specification purposes. b Values shown are for 0.250 thickness. Some values will change with thickness or pigmentation. c It is recommended that temperatures not exceed 160F for continuous service or 190F for short intermittent use. ACRYLITE premium physical properties 1121G Technical Information 1124 page 78 ACRYLITE Premium FF Physical Properties for Extruded Sheet POLYVANTIS Sanford LLC 1796 Main Street Sanford ME 04073 USA www.polyvantis.com www.acrylite.co Semi-finished polymethyl methacrylate PMMA products from POLYVANTIS are sold on the European Asian African and Australian continents under the registered trademark PLEXIGLAS in the Americas under the registered trademark ACRYLITE both owned by Rhm GmbH Darmstadt or its affiliates. Fire Precautions ACRYLITE sheet is a combustible thermoplastic. Precautions should be taken to protect this material from flames and high heat sources. ACRYLITE sheet usually burns rapidly to completion if not extinguished. The products of combustion if sufficient air is present are carbon dioxide and water. However in many fires sufficient air will not be available and toxic carbon monoxide will be formed as it will when other common combustible materials are burned. We urge good judgement in the use of this versatile material and recommend that building co

des be followed carefully to assure it is used properly. Compatibility Like other plastic materials ACRYLITE sheet is subject to crazing cracking or discoloration if brought into contact with incompatible materials. These materials may include cleaners polishes adhesives sealants gasketing or packaging materials cutting emulsions etc. See the Tech Briefs in this series for more information or contact your ACRYLITE sheet Distributor for information on a specific product. This information and all further technical advice is based on our present knowledge and experience. Such information or advice whether given at Buyers request or not implies no liability or other legal responsibility on our part including with regard to existing third-party intellectual property rights. In particular no warranty whether expressed or implied or guarantee of product properties in the legal sense is intended or implied. We reserve the right to make any changes according to technical progress or further developments. The customer is not released from the obligation to conduct careful inspection and testing of incoming goods. Performance of the product described herein should be verified by testing which should be carried out only by qualified experts in the sole responsibility of a customer. Reference to trade names used by other companies is neither a recommendation nor does it imply that similar products should be used. ACRYLITE premium physical properties 1121G Technical Information 1124 page 88