Plexiglas is Definition, features and main characteristics

2024 Author: Howard Calhoun | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 10:16

Plexiglas is a unique material that was created under the Plexiglas brand in the 30s of the last century. Its industrial production was initially carried out by the Röhm and Haas Company. The new component was in great demand during World War II, given the active development of the aircraft industry, which makes it possible to improve not only aircraft hulls, but also cockpits. The material under consideration has a high level of transparency, strength, and the absence of fragments during destruction. Additional advantages of plexiglass are minimal reaction with aviation kerosene and oil, as well as weather resistance.

General information

Plexiglas. What it is, they learned in the Soviet Union in 1936. The material was developed and produced at the Research Institute of Plastics. Between 1941 and 1945 the material was actively used in the arrangement of various types of aircraft, turrets, and some elements of submarines.

Now plexiglass is a component that is used as a reliable and lightweight parts in equipping high-speed aircraft and other similar structures. Fluoracrylic glasses are used in combination with aluminum and titaniumalloys. The temperature regime of the functionality of such compositions is 230-250 degrees Celsius.

It is worth noting that polymer analogues can only partially replace glasses that have thermal stability and increased strength. Mostly, such materials are used in a composite design. The further development of aviation implies flights in the uppermost layers of the atmosphere, which requires compliance with special characteristics. Natural plexiglass is used in the creation of such aircraft as the Shuttle and Buran.

Analogues

Plexiglas is not only an acrylic option. There are alternatives made from polystyrene, carbonate, or vinyl chloride. The main component of the material under consideration is thermoplastic resin. Such components can be called glass purely conditionally. In fact, the material is of a completely different type, being an inorganic composite type that acts as glass in a narrow range.

This substance has a number of objective advantages. These include:

• Lightweight.
• Using the material as an alternative to silicate glass (we are talking about PMMA).
• This design is softer and safer than ordinary glass.
• High strength and scratch resistance.

Among the disadvantages, it can be noted that plexiglass is a material that is easily destroyed at temperatures above 100 degrees. The product is not resistant to alkalis, acids andalcohols. However, this design reflects infrared radiation, ultraviolet radiation, and also lends itself well to processing with conventional metal cutting tools.

All about Plexiglas material

Plexiglas consists of acrylic, polymer and methyl acrylate. The product is produced by casting or extrusion. This material is made by introducing identical components into the composition. If it is necessary to obtain an analogue of the product, which will be distinguished by additional strength and elasticity, various additives are used that increase the level of these parameters.

Plexiglas - key features:

• Get the material in question in two ways. This is standard casting or extrusion. The second option comes from the English word, which implies the imposition of several layers of plastic, taking into account its features.
• In the domestic market, molding production of organic glass is more often practiced.
• Features of the second production method - obtaining a polymer filling between two layers of glass, brought to a solid state.

Features & Benefits

What is plexiglass, you can understand from the advantages that it has compared to ordinary glass:

• The thickness of the constituent sheets is lower than the processing capability of the extruder.
• The length of the elements is larger than analogues.
• Thickness variations of up to five percent of the estimated value are allowed in one batch.
• Features of Plexiglas appear to a lesser extentimpact resistance, but more sensitive to stress concentrations, and poor chemical resistance.

Pros:

• High light transmittance.
• Original shape, almost 100% unchanged.
• Mechanical resistance is 5 times that of ordinary glass.
• Features of plexiglass are that its mass is almost 2.5 times less than the traditional counterpart with the same thickness.
• The product does not require additional supports, which allows you to create the appearance of an open space.
• Material resistant to moisture, bacteria and microorganisms, can be used for glazing yachts and aquariums.
• Components do not pose an environmental hazard, do not emit toxic and hazardous gases when burned.

Other benefits

Among other advantages of the material under consideration, the following aspects can be noted:

• It is possible to form a variety of configurations through thermal treatment, so that excellent detail and optical properties of products are maintained.
• Processing a structure is no more difficult than working with a tree.
• Noted resistance to any climate, as well as immunity to frost.
• No more than 73 percent of ultraviolet rays pass through, while infrared damage does not.
• The transmitted rays do not cause yellowing and deformation of acrylicpart of the glass.
• Design is chemical resistant.
• This glass has the best bonding ability, does not require much effort during molding, and works in temperature conditions from 150 to 170 degrees Celsius.
• This product must be recycled in an environmentally friendly manner.
• Material has high heat shrinkage (6 percent instead of 2 percent like cast acrylic).

Flaws and chemical resistance

Organic glass is a material with certain disadvantages. Among them:

• Susceptibility to surface deformation (hardness - no more than 190 N / sq. mm).
• Technological problems in heat and vacuum processing.
• The occurrence of internal stresses at the points of folds and formations. This leads to the appearance of microcracks.
• The material is noted to be flammable (260 degrees is the critical threshold).

As for the resistance of the product to chemical reagents, here we can note several nuances:

• Plastic glass can be attacked by a variety of chemicals, including fluorine and hydrocyanide solutions.
• The material is attacked by concentrated and dilute sulfuric, chromic and nitric acids.
• This product uses chlorinated hydrocarbons, aldehydes, esters and ketones as solvents.
• Organic glass is also particularly resistant to butane, ethyl andpropyl alcohol. With prolonged contact with a 10% analogue of this type, plexiglass does not interact with it.

Transportation and storage

Organic glass is transported by rail or road. It is transported in covered containers, which meets the standards of the rules for the carriage of goods. It is not forbidden to transport such products in an open way, however, it is required to cover it under waterproof material. Shipping of this product together with chemicals and their camping equipment is not calculated.

Varieties

Colorless analogue has a transparent base with a degree of light transmission of about 92 percent. Most often, variations of the translucent type are used, which differ in significant brilliance on both sides. Such material is used to decorate industrial and other structures.

Finally

Organic glass is subjected to thread cutting, fitting with appropriate joints, grinding, polishing, various formatting. In addition to the automotive industry, plexiglass is used in ophthalmology, lenses for vision have been produced from it for a long time. Intraocular analogues are known for the presence of an artificial lens, which allows you to put in order the vision of people, regardless of age.

Other areas of application of the material in question: lighting technology, outdoor advertising, including price tags and special stands, andalso for glazing aircraft cabins, aquariums, dielectric parts and containers.