Acrylic glass specific weight: weight of 1 m² sheet
Acrylic glass, also known as plexiglass, polymethyl methacrylate or PMMA, has been produced and actively used in construction and everyday life for more than 70 years. In essence, it is a type of plastic that differs from silicate glass in certain technical qualities. The material is a thermoplastic: when heated, the sheet can be formed into specified geometric shapes if processing conditions and manufacturer recommendations are followed.
It remains popular all over the world because of many positive qualities. Acrylic glass has:
- high light transmission, similar to ordinary glass;
- light diffusion when matte grades are used;
- mechanical strength: acrylic glass is about five times stronger than silicate glass;
- low weight: acrylic glass is about 2.5 times lighter than silicate glass and has a density of 1.19 g/cm³ or 1190 kg/m³;
- no pronounced odor during normal use;
- resistance to temperature fluctuations;
- simple processing;
- ability to transmit up to 70% of UV radiation, while color and transparency usually do not change over time;
- resistance to chemical and biological effects;
- high electrical insulation properties;
- simple recycling.
The disadvantages of the material include:
- easy flammability;
- possibility of surface damage and scratches;
- internal stress at bends during thermoforming, which can lead to microcracks.
Acrylic glass can be used indoors if the material requirements and operating conditions are met. Plexiglass is relatively easy to ignite, so it should not be treated as a non-combustible material. Fire requirements and manufacturer recommendations must be considered when choosing it.
Acrylic can be colored in different shades and have different degrees of light diffusion. Service life depends on grade, thickness, UV stabilization and operating conditions, so warranty and allowable loads should be checked in the manufacturer documentation.
| Material | Specific weight, kg/m³ | Sheet thickness, mm | Weight of 1 m², kg |
| Acrylic glass | 1190 | 3 | 3.6 |
| 4 | 4.77 | ||
| 5 | 5.95 | ||
| 6 | 7.14 | ||
| 8 | 9.52 | ||
| 10 | 11.9 | ||
| 12 | 14.29 | ||
| 20 | 23.8 |
Compared with similar transparent plastics, solid polycarbonate usually has better impact resistance, while acrylic glass is valued for high transparency, rigidity and good surface processing.
Types of acrylic glass
Organic glass is produced in two ways:
- by the block, or cast, method, where molten material is poured between two forming silicate glass sheets;
- by extrusion, where molten material is pressed through an extrusion machine.
The difference between the resulting materials lies in the available thicknesses and sheet formats. Cast acrylic glass is less stretchable than extruded acrylic. Organic glass produced by different methods may differ in dimensional stability under temperature changes, surface quality and ease of machining. Cast plexiglass is usually easier to polish and better suited for complex machining, while extruded acrylic is often chosen for serial products with more stable sheet thickness.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the density of acrylic glass?
For calculations, a density of about 1190 kg/m³, or 1.19 g/cm³, is often used. Specific acrylic sheet grades may differ slightly.
How do you calculate acrylic sheet weight?
Sheet weight is calculated from area, thickness and density. For example, a 10 mm sheet at 1190 kg/m³ weighs about 11.9 kg per 1 m².
Is acrylic glass lighter than ordinary glass?
Yes. Acrylic glass is usually noticeably lighter than silicate glass, but it is not non-combustible and impact resistance depends on grade and conditions.