Cast Acrylic Sheet Vs Extruded

When laser cutting extruded acrylic there will come a burr on one side of the part.

Cast acrylic sheet vs extruded.

Essentially liquid monomer unreacted acrylic is poured between two panes of glass which are separated by a gasket to control the thickness of the sheet. Extruded acrylic sheet is more economical and has a lower forming temperature while the cast acrylic sheet is more scratch resistant. Cast acrylic is made by pouring the hot liquid acrylic ingredients between two sheets of glass which are separated by rubber gaskets the thickness of the gasket determines the thickness of the acrylic sheet being made. Both extruded and cast acrylic sheets comply with fda requirements for food contact which also makes it an ideal choice for restaurants retail stores grocery stores cafeterias and much more.

The cells are stacked on a vertical rack and put. It is thermo formable and can be reworked hot which is not always possible with extruded sheets. Cast acrylic is more resistant to the same solvents. Extruded acrylic costs less than cast and is more dimensionally stable meaning the thickness is more consistent across sheets.

With a slightly harder surface than extruded cast acrylic has a less consistent sheet thickness with up to a 10 variation possible across the sheet. Acrylic is manufactured in two versions cast and extruded. In addition cast acrylic when laser cut produce a highly polished edge thus reducing finishing times when fabricating. The cell cast process manufactures individual sheets of acrylic.

The edges on extruded acrylic parts can look a bit different depending on the direction of the acrylic extrusion. Softer with a lower melting temperature than in its cast form extruded acrylic is easier to laser cut rout and polishes more cost effectively. On the cast acrylic there is almost no burrs. Cast sheet is manufactured using a process known as the cell cast process while extruded sheet is manufactured using a process known as continuously manufacturing.