ACRYLITE® FF is a continuously manufactured acrylic sheet. It is produced by an innovative process, resulting in a sheet offering the easy handling and processing of extruded sheet, along with the high optical characteristics and low stress levels expected of cast products.

The clarity and light stability of acrylic resin make it possible to manufacture crystal clear ACRYLITE FF sheet. 

Characteristics

ACRYLITE FF acrylic sheet is a lightweight, rigid and weather-resistant thermoplastic.  ACRYLITE FF sheets are dimensionally stable and resistant to breakage.  They can be easily sawed, machined, heat-formed and cemented.

Because of its virtually distortion-free clarity, it is well suited for use in a variety of applications.

Availability

ACRYLITE FF acrylic sheet is available in thicknesses from 0.080" to .236", and actual sheet sizes from 48" x 72" to 72" x 96".  All sheets are protected with polyethylene film or paper masking.

Safety

ACRYLITE FF sheet is safer than glass because of its greater breakage resistance. If subjected to impact beyond the limit of its resistance, it does not shatter into small slivers, but breaks into comparatively large pieces. ACRYLITE FF sheet complies with American National Standard Z97.1-1975, Safety Glazing for Buildings.

ACRYLITE FF 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 FF has been widely accepted for use in school buildings, industrial plants, aircraft glazing and outdoor signs.

Dimensional Stability

Although ACRYLITE FF will expand and contract due to changes in temperature or humidity, it will not shrink with age. Some shrinkage occurs when ACRYLITE FF is heated to forming temperature, but post-forming stability is excellent.

Light Weight

ACRYLITE FF sheet is only half the weight of glass, and 43% the weight of
aluminum.

Rigidity

ACRYLITE FF sheet is not as rigid as glass or metals. However, it is more rigid than many other plastics such as acetates or vinyls. Under wind load a sheet will bow and foreshorten as a result of deflection.

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 FF is formed into ribbed or domed shapes, rigidity will be increased and deflection minimized. - top

Cold Flow

Large, flat, ACRYLITE FF sheets, if insufficiently supported, may deform permanently due to continuous loads such as snow, or even due to their own weight. Increased rigidity obtained by forming will minimize cold flow.

Strength and Stresses

Although the tensile strength of ACRYLITE FF acrylic sheet is 10,000 psi  at room temperature (ASTM 0638), stress-crazing can be caused by continuous loads below this value. For glazing applications continuously imposed design loads should not exceed 1 ,500 psi. For applications subject to continuous loading, design loads should not exceed 750 psi
at 23°C (73°F).

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 FF sheet--will gradually lose tensile strength as the ambient temperature approaches the maximum recommended for continuous service-160°F. - top

Expansion and Contraction

Like most other plastics, ACRYLITE FF sheet will expand and contract I from 3 to 8 times as much as glass or metals. The designer should be aware of the problems that could be caused by this rather large coefficient of expansion. A 48" panel will expand and contract
approximately .002" for each degree F. change in temperature. In outdoor use, where summer and winter temperatures differ as much as 100°F., a 48" sheet will expand and contract approximately ¼". Sash rabbets must be of sufficient depth to allow for expansion as well as for contraction.

ACRYLITE FF sheet also absorbs water when exposed to high relative humidities resulting in an expansion of the sheet. At relative humidities of 100%, 80% and 60%, the dimensional changes are 0.3%, 0.2% and 0.1 % respectively. - top

Heat Resistance
ACRYLITE FF sheets can be used at temperatures from -30°F. up to + 190°F., depending on the application. It Is recommended that temperatures not exceed 160°F. for continuous service, or 190°F. for short intermittent use. Components made of ACRYLITE FF should not be exposed to high heat sources, such as high wattage incandescent lamps, unless the finished product is ventilated to permit the dissipation of heat.

Light Transmission

Clear, colorless ACRYLITE FF acrylic sheet has a light transmittance of 92%. It is clearer than glass and will not turn yellow.

Solar Energy Control

Transparent colored ACRYLITE FF 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.

Chemical Resistance

ACRYLITE FF sheet has excellent resistance to many chemicals including:

• solutions of in organic alkalies such as ammonia
• dilute acids such as sulfuric acid
• aliphatic hydrocarbons such as hexane and VM&P naphtha.

ACRYLITE FF 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 FF sheet to more than 60 chemicals refer to Table at bottom of page.

Formability - top
ACRYLITE FF sheet will soften as the temperature is increased above 170°F. As the temperature is increased the sheet passes through the thermo elastic state to the thermo plastic state. The change is gradual rather than sharply defined. The forming temperature range is between 290°F. and 320°F. Because the sheet gradually becomes thermo plastic certain procedures should be considered during thermoforming: if the sheet is to be hung in an oven it will be necessary to use a continuous clamp rather than several individual clamps to prevent the sheet from permanently deforming between clamps; if the sheet is to be heated by infra red heaters while clamped in a horizontal frame it may be necessary to block out the heaters above the center of the sheet to prevent the center from becoming too hot and permanently sagging and deforming under its own weight.

The sheet will exhibit very little "memory" after forming and probably will not return to its original flat condition if reheated.

ACRYLITE FF will shrink in the machine direction when heated without a frame. Sheets up to 3mm thick will shrink a maximum of 6%. Sheets thicker than 3mm will shrink a maximum of 3%.

Some expansion may occur in the transverse machine direction. This will be limited to less than 2% in all cases.  

Cutting and Machining
ACRYLITE FF sheet can be sawed on circular saws or band saws. It can be drilled, routed, filed and machined much like hardwood or brass. Because the new 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 being rapidly accepted by industry for quickly and accurately cutting, welding, drilling, scribing, and engraving 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 allowing for close nesting of parts and minimal waste.  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 FF acrylic sheet can be cemented using common solvent cements or polymerizable cements. The most critcial factor is the edge of the part to be cemented. The edge must have been properly machined so as to have no stresses in the edge. Annealing of the part prior to cementing is recommended. Cement and cement fumes should not contact formed or polished surfaces.

Flammability

ACRYLITE FF acrylic sheet is a combustible thermoplastic. Precaution should be used to protect material from flames and high heat sources. Access panels may be required for evacuation and venting of rooms glazed with ACRYLITE FF acrylic sheet.

It has a burning rate of 1.0 inches per minute (for 1/8 inch thickness) according to ASTM 0-635.

Other properties related to flammability:
Flame spread is 175 according to ASTM E-84 or 100-145 according to ULC-S102.2.

The self-ignition temperature is 830°F. , when measured in accordance with ASTM 0-1929. Smoke density measured by ASTM 0-2843 is 5%-10%.

While these test data are based on small scale laboratory tests, frequently referenced in various Building Codes, these tests do not duplicate actual fire conditions.

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 from other common combustible materials.

Consult your Building Code for approved uses for ACRYLITE FF acrylic sheet

Thermal Conductivity - top

The thermal conductivity of a material-its ability to conduct heat-is called k-Factor. The k-Factor is an inherent property of the material, and is independent of its thickness and of the surroundings to which it is exposed.

 The k-Factor of ACRYLITE FF sheet is: 

           1.3 B.T.U.           
(hour) (sq. ft.) (OF./inch)

Whereas the k-Factor is a physical property of the material, the U-Factor -or overall coefficient of heat transmission-is the value used to calculate the total heat loss or gain through a window.

The U-Factor is the amount of heat, expressed in BTU's, which will pass through one square foot of a material of a specific thickness, per hour, for each degree F. difference between inside and outside air temperatures.

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., single-glazed or double-glazed installations) and are different for summer and winter.

Listed below are U-Factors for several thicknesses of ACRYLITE FF sheet for single-glazed, vertical installations, based on the standard ASHRAE* summer and winter design conditions.

* 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 in square feet, times the difference between indoor and outdoor temperatures in degrees Fahrenheit, times the appropriate U-Factor (from Table above). The answer will be expressed in BTU's per hour. Heat intake through solar radiation must be added to arrive at the total heat gain.

ACRYLITE 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.

Thermal Shock and Stresses

ACRYLITE 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 between opposite surfaces of a window.

Surface Hardness

The surface of plastics is not as hard as that of glass.  Therefore, reasonable care should be exercised in handling and cleaning ACRYLITE FF sheet.

Electrical Properties

ACRYLITE FF has many desirable electrical properties. It is a good insulator. Its surface resistivity is higher than those of rpost plastics. Continuous outdoor exposure has little effect on its electrical properties..

Physical Properties of ACRYLITE FF - top

Chemical Resistance of Acrylite FF
The table below gives an indication of the chemical resistance of ACRYLITE FF.  The code used to describe chemical resistance is as follows--

R=Resistant

ACRYLITE FF withstands this substance for long periods and at temperatures up to 120°F(49°C).

LR=Limited Resistance

ACRYLITE FF only resists the action of this substance for short periods at room temperatures.  The resistance for a particular application must be determined.

N=Not Resistant
ACRYLITE FF is not resistant to this substance. It is either swelled, attacked, dissolved or damaged in some manner.

Plastic materials can be attacked by chemicals in severval ways. The methods of fabrication and/or conditions of exposure of ACRYLITE FF sheet, as well as the manner in which the chemicals are applied, can influence the final results even for "R" coded chemicals.  Some of these factors are listed below:

Fabrication--Stress generated while sawing, sanding, machining, drilling, and /or forming.

Exposure--Length of exposure, stresses induced during the life of the product due to various loads, changes in temperatures, etc.

Application of Chemicals--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.