Cast Acrylic Sheet Vs Extruded

Extruded acrylic costs less than cast and is more dimensionally stable meaning the thickness is more consistent across sheets.

Cast acrylic sheet vs extruded.

Extruded acrylic sheet is more economical and has a lower forming temperature while the cast acrylic sheet is more scratch resistant. It is thermo formable and can be reworked hot which is not always possible with extruded sheets. Softer with a lower melting temperature than in its cast form extruded acrylic is easier to laser cut rout and polishes more cost effectively. Cast acrylic is more resistant to the same solvents.

For each sheet made a gasketed glass cell must be assembled. Furthermore when hot wire line bending drape or vacuum forming cast acrylic sheets are more malleable pliable than extruded acrylic sheet. 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. In addition cast acrylic when laser cut produce a highly polished edge thus reducing finishing times when fabricating.

On the cast acrylic there is almost no burrs. 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. Acrylic is manufactured in two versions cast and extruded. The edges on extruded acrylic parts can look a bit different depending on the direction of the acrylic extrusion.

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. The cell cast process manufactures individual sheets of acrylic. When laser cutting extruded acrylic there will come a burr on one side of the part. 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.