Acrylic Sheet (PMMA)
Cast and extruded acrylic — also sold as perspex or plexiglass — in clear, opal, frosted, coloured and mirror.
Acrylic, PMMA, perspex and plexiglass are the same material under different names — the last two are brand names that became generic in the UK and North America. We manufacture it in both cast and extruded form, in clear, opal, frosted, coloured and mirror finishes.
Acrylic transmits more light than glass — up to 92% — and holds its clarity outdoors for decades without yellowing. It is also harder at the surface than polycarbonate, so it stays looking good under regular cleaning. Its weakness is impact: it cracks rather than bends.
Cast or extruded?
The two are made by completely different processes and behave differently in the workshop. This is the choice that matters most, and it is worth getting right before you order:
| Cast acrylic | Extruded acrylic | |
|---|---|---|
| Thickness tolerance | Looser (±10%) | Tighter (±5%) |
| Machining | Excellent — clean edges, polishes well | Fair — softens and gums at speed |
| Laser cutting | Frosted edge | Clear polished edge |
| Thermoforming | Wider forming window | Narrower, but easier at low temperature |
| Chemical resistance | Better | Lower |
| Cost | Higher | Lower |
Rule of thumb: if it will be CNC machined, engraved or flame-polished, order cast. If it will be laser cut, thermoformed or simply glazed in, extruded is cheaper and more consistent.
Grades we produce
- Clear acrylic — up to 92% light transmission, the standard for display and glazing.
- Cast acrylic — for machining, engraving and fabrication work.
- White opal acrylic — even glow-through for lightboxes and signage faces.
- Frosted acrylic — matte privacy and diffusion, one or both faces.
- Coloured acrylic — transparent, translucent and opaque, matched to reference.
- Mirror acrylic — shatter-resistant mirror at a fraction of the weight of glass.
Acrylic against polycarbonate
We make both, so we have no reason to push you toward either. The honest split:
Acrylic wins on clarity, surface hardness, outdoor colour stability and price. Specify it for display, signage, lightboxes, splashbacks and furniture.
Polycarbonate wins on impact resistance, cold performance and fire rating. Specify it for roofing, guarding, security glazing and anywhere a break is a safety issue. See polycarbonate grades.
Minimum order and lead time
This grade ships from 100 m² or 1 tonne — a trial pallet, not a full container. Standard sizes and stock colours run in 7–10 days; non-standard thickness or width in 12–18 days; add 3–7 days for CNC cut-to-size work. Quoted in USD on FOB, CIF or DDP terms. Full detail on the MOQ, lead time & shipping page.
Questions buyers ask
Is perspex the same as acrylic?
Yes. Perspex is a UK brand name for PMMA, and plexiglass is the equivalent in North America and Germany. All three describe the same polymer. We supply it under the generic name, to the same specifications.
What thicknesses do you produce?
Typically 1–30 mm. Thin sheet below 2 mm is usually extruded; thick sheet above 20 mm is normally cast. Tell us the application and we will confirm which process suits.
Does acrylic yellow outdoors?
No. PMMA is inherently UV stable and holds its clarity for decades outdoors without a protective co-extrusion. This is one area where it clearly beats polycarbonate.