You are here: Home » Acrylic Swimming Pool » Single Side Support Overflow Pool » Tell you from several angles why we use acrylic vs. glass - leyu

Share to:

Tell you from several angles why we use acrylic vs. glass - leyu

Why we Use Acrylic vs. Glas? That's the questions manufacturers and designers ask across a variety of industries, including those that make furniture, vehicles, medical supplies, and farm and recreation equipment.

Model:
Acrylic Sheet
Brand:
Leyu
Code:
LY20231017
Material:
Mitsubishi Corporation Lucite brand acrylic raw material
Thickness:
20-800mm
Application:
Swimming Pool Acrylic aquarium
Packing:
Wooden box, iron frame
Installation Service:
Provide technical guidance and on-site installation services
Color:
Transparency reaches 92%
tubular:
Can customize cylindrical cylinders of different sizes
Uv resistance:
Uvioresistant
Production Capacity:
5000 tons
Diaphaneity:
Clear transparency, 92%
Pool Shape:
various shapes

Availability:



Inquire

Product Description

Product Description

Why we Choose Acrylic Over Glass in Manufacturing?

Acrylic or glass? That's the questions manufacturers and designers ask across a variety of industries, including those that make furniture, vehicles, medical supplies, and farm and recreation equipment. When a transparent material is needed, the design team often has to choose between laminated or tempered glass or acrylic sheeting. If you're choosing between these materials, our injection molding company is comparing the two on several levels to help you determine which option is best for your project.

Similarities Between Glass and Acrylic

Glass and acrylic are two extremely different materials all the way down to their chemical structure. While they are far from interchangeable, they can be used for many of the same things, though. Both are transparent materials with over 90 percent light transmittance and available in large sheets. This is why they are both used frequently used to make windows, electronics' screens, aquariums, and vehicle windshields. Beyond those, the two materials are very different in almost every other factor.

Benefits of Using Acrylic Over Glass

If you're choosing between acrylic and glass, let's first look at why you may want to opt for acrylic sheets over glass:

Weight

A sheet of acrylic weighs less than half of a similarly sized sheet of glass. This makes it easier to carry, install, and transport.

Cost

Not only are the material costs of acrylic around half the cost of the same size sheet of glass, but the costs related to manufacturing custom acrylic components are much lower too. Acrylic is a thermoplastic, meaning it can be shaped and molded when heated up without losing it's properties. This means shaping and trimming is going to be much less labor intensive than it is to cut and mold glass, minimizing the manufacturing costs, and because it's lighter in weight, shipping will be less, too.

Impact Resistant

One of the main benefits of using thermoplastic over glass is the impact resistance. Acrylic has a much higher rating for impact resistance - roughly 17 times more - than even tempered glass and most incidents of wear and tear won't cause it to break or crack.

Safety

When glass breaks, it tends to shatter into big, uneven pieces with sharp, dangerous edges. Even tempered glass, known as "safety glass" shatters into small pieces that are difficult to clean, and while they aren't sharp, can still cause injury.

Customization

From shape to functionality to decoration, acrylic offers a multitude of customization options. As we mentioned, it's easy to trim and shape through thermoforming, plus, it can be tinted with different colors while still maintaining its transparency. The qualities of acrylic itself can also be changed through coatings. For example, acrylic can be easy to scratch and will allow UV rays to pass through, but UV coatings can block them while anti-scratch coatings (hardcoating) provides extra protection.

Acrylic sheets - Factory Direct Sales Price

Acrylic Window - Leyu

Acrylic Window - Leyu

Acrylic Window - Leyu

Drawbacks of Acrylic Compared to Glass

Even though acrylic does offer several benefits, it's important to factor in where glass may be the better option. Glass is more resistant to scratching in its natural state, whereas acrylic requires an anti-scratch coating to prevent scuffs and scrapes.

Also, recycling and sustainability is a factor to consider. While acrylic is one of the more sustainable thermoplastics, able to be melted down and made into new materials with ease, the process of recycling acrylic can release chemicals into the air. Glass recycling is less expensive, simpler, and gentler on the environment.

Where Is Acrylic Used in Place of Glass?

"Sneeze guards" or barriers used at restaurants, in front of cash register stands, or at bank and receptionist windows;

Recreational and farm vehicle windshields;

Fish tanks and aquariums;

Eyeglasses and sunglasses;

Commercial windows and doors;

Television and electronics' screens;

Skylights

Windows in airplanes and submarines

Mirrors in commercial spaces

Signs and displays in retail and commercial spaces

Contact Leyu acrylic for Custom Acrylic Manufacturing

If you decide that acrylic or plexiglass in place of glass is right for you, we can help.

Acrylic swimming pool - manufacture

Understanding The Differences Between Acrylic Sheet And Glass - Why we Use Acrylic vs. Glass

Differences Between Cast Acrylic and Extruded Acrylic

Before we begin discussing the differences between acrylic sheet and glass, we must first understand the two types of acrylic sheet. Cast acrylic is made by pouring liquid ingredients into a glass mold, where it then hardens into a strong sheet. Plexiglass, one of the most well-known acrylic brands, is manufactured using this cell cast process. Alternatively, extruded acrylic is manufactured using an extrusion process which pushes the liquid through an extruder and rollers to create a similar sheet. While there are some key differences between cast and extruded acrylic, the benefits of both are extremely similar.

How Acrylic Compares to Glass

Impact Resistance: Acrylic has a higher impact resistance than glass. It is also 10 times more shatter resistant than glass.

Optical Transmission:

Acrylic can transmit up to 92% visible light, whereas glass usually transmits 80-90%.

UV Blocking:

Acrylic is capable to providing 99% UV blocking, whereas most standard grade glass blocks almost none.

Weight:

Acrylic weighs approximately 50% less than glass. The light weight of acrylic also helps improve the ease of installation and environmental efficiencies.

Malleability:

Acrylic can be formed into shapes with ease while also maintaining excellent optical properties. Glass can be shaped into curves but is somewhat restricted.

Cost:

Depending on the type of glass, acrylic is generally more expensive. However, installing glass can often be expensive, and the long-life expectancy of acrylic can lead to a more cost-efficient option in the long-run.

Scratch Resistance:

Although acrylic is softer than glass and can be scratched more easily, new developments in hard coating technology have helped increase its protection.

Acrylic window pool -manufacture

When Should You Use Acrylic Sheet?

While acrylic and glass can be used interchangeably in some applications, there are many situations where you would want to take advantage of the superior properties of acrylic. Acrylic is the best choice for situations that require:

Better optical clarity

Long-term cost effectiveness

Easy fabrication and installation

Enhanced UV protection

Lightweight properties

Enhanced security

Where Is Acrylic Used?

Acrylic has quickly become one of the most versatile and widely used plastic materials in the world. It offers a clear advantage in a myriad of applications due to its exceptional clarity, durability, and resistance to UV light and weathering.

Commonly utilized in both indoor and outdoor settings, acrylic is the preferred material for products like signage, retail display cases, and window glazing. Its impact resistance and optical clarity make it an ideal choice for safety-related uses such as aquarium tanks, protective barriers in banks or stores, and face shields used in medical settings. Additionally, its ease of fabrication and ability to be molded into various shapes enhances its suitability for decorative panels, furniture, and lighting fixtures, showcasing acrylic’s flexibility across different industries.

This adaptability, combined with its aesthetic qualities, ensures that acrylic sheet continues to be indispensable in commercial, industrial, and residential applications.