Cast Acrylic Sheet Vs Extruded

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.

Cast acrylic sheet vs extruded.

Softer with a lower melting temperature than in its cast form extruded acrylic is easier to laser cut rout and polishes more cost effectively. The main difference between cast acrylic and extruded acrylic is that cast acrylic is produced by mixing the acrylic liquid ingredients in molds whereas extruded acrylic is produced by an extrusion method. For each sheet made a gasketed glass cell must be assembled. Cast acrylic is more resistant to the same solvents.

It is thermo formable and can be reworked hot which is not always possible with extruded sheets. The edges on extruded acrylic parts can look a bit different depending on the direction of the acrylic extrusion. When laser cutting extruded acrylic there will come a burr on one side of the part. 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. 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. The cells are stacked on a vertical rack and put. 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.

On the cast acrylic there is almost no burrs. 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. Extruded acrylic costs less than cast and is more dimensionally stable meaning the thickness is more consistent across sheets. Extruded acrylic sheet is more economical and has a lower forming temperature while the cast acrylic sheet is more scratch resistant.