Common Types of Acrylic Sheets on the Market Today

Mica, also known as Acrylic plastic or organic glass, is a transparent thermoplastic. It is commonly recognized as an industrial material with half the density of glass and allows approximately 98% of light to pass through (for 3mm thick sheets).

Acrylic sheet is a clear thermoplastic available in a wide variety of colors, making it an increasingly popular alternative to traditional glass.

In fact, “Mica” originated as a brand name from a Taiwanese PMMA manufacturer. In European countries, Acrylic sheets are commonly referred to as Plexiglas. Plexiglas is a registered brand owned by Evonik (Germany), which was the world’s first PMMA brand introduced to the market in 1933.

Currently, there are many types of Acrylic sheets on the market, each with distinct characteristics. The three most common types are classified primarily by their origin. Let’s explore them with Livas:

Taiwanese Acrylic Plastic

• Taiwanese Acrylic is heat-resistant, impact-resistant, and does not yellow over time due to weather exposure.

• It features high transparency, making edge polishing easy and resulting in a glossy, eye-catching finish.

• Signage made from Taiwanese Acrylic offers a premium look and high aesthetic appeal that few other materials can match.

• It is safe for health, containing no cancer-causing BPA or impure additives.

Chinese Acrylic Plastic

• Chinese Acrylic has poor heat resistance, is prone to cracking, and has a short lifespan with low durability. It easily discolors when exposed to light.

• Due to its brittleness, it is difficult to polish and process. Light impacts can damage the sheet, causing material waste.

• The color distribution is often uneven and contains impurities (for example, clear white sheets may show a faint blue tint). It is not suitable for signage requiring high aesthetic standards.

Japanese Acrylic Plastic

• Japanese Acrylic shares similar properties and advantages with Taiwanese Acrylic, but excels with superior UV resistance, giving it even higher durability.

• Thanks to its UV protection, it is widely used by advertising agencies for outdoor signboards and canopies exposed to direct sunlight.

• It is manufactured to meet UL94 flame-retardant standards and ROHS safety standards, ensuring it is free of toxic substances and safe to use.

Applications of Acrylic in Signage Production

With key characteristics such as high gloss, flexibility, rich color variety, diverse thickness options, and high aesthetic appeal, Acrylic is the top choice for outdoor and indoor signage. Using Acrylic is an effective solution for creating attractive and impressive signs. Popular applications include:

• Lightbox signs, advertising boards, nameplates, menus, and award plaques.

• Decorative partitions, display shelves, and wall accents.

• Photography backdrops.

• 3D illuminated channel letters with LED lights.

• Interior home decoration.