What is Plexiglas?

Pleksi is a type of plastic glass available in both colored and colorless varieties. It can be transparent, matte, colored, opaque, frosted, or dual-colored (black and white).
It has an easily workable, cuttable, and drillable structure with a lightweight plastic composition. Typically, it is found in the market in flat sheets with a thickness of 1.5-2.5mm. It can be softened by heating at 90°C or in an oven at 90°C–115°C, allowing it to be molded into the desired shape. It is more durable and lighter than glass. Its only disadvantage is that, due to its thermodynamic nature, it is less resistant to burning. For reference, 90°C is approximately 194°F, and 115°C is approximately 239°F.

The Structure of Plexiglas is Resilient Unbreakable Durable Sturdy

  • High light transmittance and resistance to impacts are characteristic features of Plexiglas. Plexiglas has a light transmittance ratio of 92%, surpassing that of glass. Its impact resistance is six times greater than that of glass. Plexiglas does not have sharp edges, reducing the risk of injuries. Its heat transmittance is 20% less than that of glass.
  • (Cast) Plexiglas is resistant to weather conditions. It is produced in opaque, transparent, and fluorescent colors and is more resistant to weather conditions compared to plastics. It does not fade or break and can be easily used in both indoor and outdoor settings.
  • (Cast) Plexiglas has the hardness of copper.
  • (Cast) Plexiglas, being poured between two glass layers, has thickness tolerance due to its internal casting process. For example, a plate with a thickness of 2.8mm may have some points measuring 2.7mm or 2.6mm when cut. This is closely related to the conditions inside the mold during the condensation process in the oven. Achieving uniform thickness at every point is nearly impossible. However, some brands have managed to reduce this tolerance to very low levels.
  • (Cast) Plexiglas can easily take the desired form. It only requires temperatures between 120°C and 150°C to adopt the desired shape. Once cooled, the given form remains fixed.
  • (Extruded) Plexiglas, produced without manual intervention in machines by adding certain raw materials to maintain a constant thickness ratio, is more transparent and glossy compared to cast Plexiglas. It is generally preferred in places with fixed thickness measurements, such as channels or frames, or in bending techniques for stands.
  • It should not be used in adhesive products, as crack traces may appear at the points where it adheres, resulting in an undesirable appearance. It is often preferred in places like stands, brochure holders, and protective covers.
  • Plexiglas, like extruder sheets, does not pose problems in cutting, swelling, and shaping. Its technical specifications, such as expansion coefficient, density, softening point, and hardness, comply with standards, and it has a high polymer count.
  • (Cast) Plexiglas allows easy application in any desired shape. One of the significant features of Plexiglas is that it is a cast sheet, which proves advantageous during the manufacturing process and does not pose difficulties for Plexiglas users.