ACRYLITE® GP is a cell-cast acrylic sheet made to exacting standards.
It offers excellent optical characteristics, thickness tolerances, light
stability, and low internal stress levels for consistent performance.
Colorless ACRYLITE GP acrylic sheet carries an exclusive 10-year limited
warranty on light transmission, your assurance of a quality product.
A printed copy of the warranty is available upon request.
In addition to colorless sheet, a wide range of transparent and translucent
colors is available.
ACRYLITE GP acrylic sheet is a lightweight, rigid thermoplastic
material that has many times the breakage resistance of standard window-pane
glass. It is highly resistant to weather conditions. ACRYLITE GP
sheets can be easily sawed, machined, thermoformed, and cemented.
It is suitable for most commercial applications, and is ultraviolet light
For greater ultraviolet light transmission, ACRYLITE OP-1 or ACRYLITE
OP- acrylic sheet may be used. For greater ultraviolet absorption,
ACRYLITE OP-2 sheet filters out more of the UV radiation than regular
ACRYLITE GP sheet grades.
For greater impact, ACRYLITE GP-1.25" (bullet resistant) sheet may
Because of its unique properties, ACRYLITE GP acrylic sheet is ideal
for a wide range of applications such as:
- Merchandising Displays
- Lighting Fixture Diffusers
- Decorative Paneling
- Security Glazing
- Hockey Rinks
- Industrial and School Glazing
- Shower Enclosures
ACRYLITE GP sheet meets the requirements of ANSI Z 97.1 for
use as a Safety Glazing material in Buildings for thickness equal to or
greater than 0.080" (2.0mm). ACRYLITE GP sheet is more impact-resistant
than glass. If subjected to impact beyond the limit of its resistance,
it does not shatter into small slivers but breaks into comparatively large
Acrylic offers better weather resistance than other types of
plastics used for transparent sheets. ACRYLITE GP sheet will withstand
exposure to blazing sun, extreme cold, sudden temperature changes, salt
water spray and other harsh conditions. It will not deteriorate
after many years of service because of the inherent stability of acrylic.
ACRYLITE GP sheet has been widely accepted for use in skylights, school
buildings, industrial plants, aircraft glazing and outdoor signs.
Although ACRYLITE GP acrylic sheet will expand and contract
due to changes in temperature and humidity, it will not shrink with age.
Some shrinkage occurs when ACRYLITE GP sheet is heated to forming temperature.
ACRYLITE GP sheet is less than half the weight of glass, and
3% the eight of aluminum. One square foot of 1/8" (3.0mm) thick
ACRYLITE GP sheet weighs less than 3/ pound (1/3 kilogram).
ACRYLITE GP sheet is not as rigid as glass or metals.
However, it is more rigid than many other plastics such as acetates, polycarbonates,
or vinyls. Under wind load, a sheet will bow and foreshorten as
a result of deflection. For glazing installation, the maximum wind
load and the size of the window must be considered when the thickness
of the panel and the depth and width of the rabbet are to be determined.
If ACRYLITE GP sheet is formed into corrugated or domed shapes, rigidity
is increased and deflection minimized.
If not sufficiently supported, large, flat ACRYLITE GP sheets
may deform to continuous loads such as snow, or even from their own weight.
Increased rigidity obtained by forming will minimize cold flow.
Strength and Stresses
Although the tensile strength of ACRYLITE GP acrylic sheet
is 10,000 psi (69 MPa) at room temperature (ASTM D638), stress crazing
can be caused by continuous loads below this value. For most applications,
continuously imposed design loads should not exceed 1,500 psi (10. MPa).
Localized, concentrated stresses must be avoided. For this reason,
and because of thermal expansion and contraction, large sheets should
never be fastened with bolts, but should always be installed in frames.
All thermoplastic materials--including ACRYLITE GP sheet--will gradually
lose tensile strength as the temperature approaches the maximum recommended
for continuous service. For ACRYLITE GP sheet, the maximum is 180ºF
Expansion and Contraction
Like most other plastics, ACRYLITE GP sheet will expand 3 times
as much as metals, and 8 times as much as glass. The designer should
be aware of this rather large coefficient of expansion. A 8"
panel will expand and contract approximately 0.002" for each degree
F change in temperature. In outdoor use, where summer and winter
temperatures differ as much as 100ºF, a 8" sheet will expand and
contract approximately 3/16". Sash rabbets must be of sufficient
depth to allow for expansion as well as for contraction.
ACRYLITE GP sheet also absorbs water when exposed to high relative humidities,
resulting in expansion of the sheet. At relative humidities of ,
80%, and 60%, the dimensional changes are 0. , 0. % and 0.2%, respectively.
ACRYLITE GP sheets can be used at temperatures from - 0ºF (-
0ºC) up to 200ºF ( 93ºC), depending on the application. It is recommended
that temperatures not exceed 180ºF for continuous service, or 200ºF for
short, intermittent use. Components made of ACRYLITE GP sheet should
not be exposed to high heat sources such as high wattage incandescent
lamps, unless the finished product is ventilated to permit the dissipation
Clear, colorless ACRYLITE GP acrylic sheet has a light transmittance
92%. It is warranted not to lose more than 3% of its light-transmitting
ability in a 10-year period.
ACRYLITE OP-1 sheet and ACRYLITE OP- sheet (ultraviolet transmitting)
transmit more ultraviolet light in the range from 2 0 to 380 nanometers
than regular ACRYLITE GP sheet grades. ACRYLITE OP-2 sheet (ultraviolet
filtering) absorbs more radiation in the ultraviolet range below 00 nanometers
than regular ACRYLITE GP sheet grades. It is used to protect art
objects and documents from the damaging effects of ultraviolet light.
Solar Energy Control
Transparent, colored ACRYLITE GP sheets can be used to reduce
glare and solar energy transmittance. The sheets are available in
a wide range of color densities with light transmittance values from to
79%. This broad selection enables the designer to choose a density
which will provide adequate daylight and, at the same time, control glare
and solar heat buildup.
Translucent white and translucent colored ACRYLITE GP sheets
diffuse light. Colorless, textured sheets also diffuse light
to some extent.
Translucent white ACRYLITE GP acrylic sheet is available in 5 standard
densities and several thicknesses varying in light transmittance from
11% to 67%.
ACRYLITE GP acrylic sheet has excellent resistance to many
• solutions of inorganic alkalies such as ammonia
• dilute acids such as sulfuric acid
• aliphatic hydrocarbons such as hexane
ACRYLITE GP sheet is not attacked by most foods, and foods are not affected
It is attacked, in varying degrees, by:
• aromatic solvents such as benzene and toluene
• chlorinated hydrocarbons such as methylene chloride and carbon
• ethyl and methyl alcohols
• some organic acids such as acetic acid
• lacquer thinners, esters, ketones and others
ACRYLITE GP sheet will soften gradually as temperature is increased
above 210ºF (99ºC). At temperatures from 3 0ºF to 380ºF (171ºC to
193ºC), it becomes soft and pliable and can be formed into almost any
shape using inexpensive molds. The optimum forming temperature within
this range depends on thickness and desired depth of draw. ACRYLITE
GP sheet will typically shrink 1.5% when heated without a frame.
As the sheet cools, it will harden and retain the formed shape.
Because ACRYLITE GP sheet is a thermoplastic material,
heating a formed part to temperatures above 210ºF (99ºC) will cause it
to revert to its original flat condition.
Cutting and Machining
ACRYLITE GP sheet can be sawed with circular saws or band saws.
It can be drilled, routed, filed and machine much like wood or brass.
Cooling of the cutting tool is recommended to keep the machined edge of
the sheet as cool and stress free as possible. Heat buildup should
be avoided because it could lead to stress crazing. Tool sharpens
and "trueness" are also essential to prevent gumming, heat buildup
and stresses in the part.
Laser technology is being rapidly accepted by industry for
quickly and accurately cutting, welding, drilling, scribing, and engraving
CO2 lasers focus a large amount of light energy
on a very small area which is extremely effective for cutting complex
shapes in acrylic sheet. The laser beam produces a narrow kerf in
the plastic allowing for close nesting of parts and minimal waste.
CO2 lasers vaporize the acrylic as they advance resulting in a clean polished
edge but with high stress levels; annealing acrylic sheet after laser
cutting is recommended to minimize the chance of crazing during the service
life of the part.
ACRYLITE GP sheet can be cemented using common solvent cements
or polymerizable cements. The most critical factor is the edge of
the part to be cemented. The edge must have been properly machined
so as to have a square flat surface and no stresses. Annealing of
the part prior to cementing is recommended. Cement and cement fumes
should not contact formed or polished surfaces.
To eliminate stresses caused by machining and/or polishing,
annealing is recommended. ACRYLITE GP sheet may be annealed at 180ºF
(82ºC) with the heating and cooling times determined by the sheet thickness.
An approximate guideline is: annealing time in hours equals the sheet
thickness in millimeters and the cool-down period equals the sheet thickness
in millimeters. For example, 3mm (1/8") ACRYLITE GP sheet would
be heated for 3 hours at 180ºF and slowly cooled for 3 hours.
ACRYLITE GP sheet is a combustible thermoplastic. Precautions
should be taken to protect the material from flames and high heat sources.
Acrylite GP acrylic sheet usually burns rapidly to completion if not extinguished.
The products of combustion, if sufficient air is present, are carbon dioxide
and water. However, in many fires sufficient air will not be available
and toxic carbon monoxide will be formed, as it is from other combustible
materials. We urge good judgment in the use of this versatile material
and recommend that building codes be followed carefully to ensure it is
Other properties related
• Burning rate is .6cm per minute (for 2 mm thickness) according
to ASTM D 635
• Flame spread is 1 0 (for 3 mm thickness) according to ASTM E 8
, or 110-1 0 (for 3 mm-6 mm thickness) according to CAN- -S102.2.
• Smoke density: Measured by ASTM D 28 3 is 10.3%
• Self-ignition temperature is 910ºF ( 88ºC) (for 1.5 mm thickness)
when measured in accordance with ASTM D 1929
While these test data are based on small scale
laboratory tests frequently referenced in various building codes, they
do not duplicate actual fire conditions.
Acrylite GP sheet meets the requirements of the
following building codes for use as a Light Transmitting Plastic:
-- BOCA (See BOCA Evaluation
Services, Inc., Research Report #9 -30)
-- ICBO (See ICBO Evaluation
Services, Inc., Evaluation Report #2158-CC2 Classification)
-- SBCCI (Refer to #SBCCI PST & ESI Evaluation
Report #93122 for Code compliance).
The thermal conductivity of a material --its ability to conduct
heat--is called k-Factor. The k-Factor is an inherent property of
material, and is independent of its thickness and of the surroundings
to which it is exposed.
The k-Factor of ACRYLITE GP sheet is 1.3 B.T.U./(hour)(sq.
ft.)(ºF./inch) or 0.19W/M.K.
Whereas the k-Factor is a physical property of
the material, the U-Factor --or overall coefficient of heat transmission--is
the value used to calculate the total heat loss or gain through a window.
The U-Factor is the amount of heat, per unit time
and area, which will pass through a specific thickness and configuration
of material per degree of temperature difference on each of the two sides.
This value takes into account the thickness of
the sheet, whether the sheet is in a horizontal or vertical position,
as well as the wind velocity.
U-Factors are based on specific conditions (e.g.,
single-glazed or double-glazed installations) and are different for summer
Listed below are U-Factors for several thicknesses
of ACRYLITE GP sheet for single-glazed, vertical installations, based
on the standard ASHRAE* summer and winter design conditions.
sq. ft. Fº (w/m² * K)
GP Sheet Thickness
||0.9 (5.3 )
||0.83 ( .71)
* American Society
of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers
The total heat loss or gain through a window (due
to temperature difference only) can be calculated by multiplying the area
of the window, times the difference between indoor and outdoor temperatures,
times the appropriate U-Factor (from Table above). Heat intake through
solar radiation must be added to arrive at the total heat gain.
ACRYLITE GP sheet is a better insulator than glass.
Its U-Factor or heat transfer value is approximately 10% lower than that
of glass of the same thickness. Conversely, its RT-Factor
is about 10% greater.
ACRYLITE GP sheet is more resistant than glass to thermal shock
and to stresses caused by substantial temperature differences between
a sunlit and a shaded area of a window or between opposite surfaces of
The surface of plastics is not as hard as that of glass.
Therefore, reasonable care should be exercised in handling and cleaning
ACRYLITE GP sheet.
ACRYLITE GP sheet has many desirable electrical properties
and continuous outdoor exposure has little effect on these properties.
It is a good insulator with surface resistivity higher than that of most
Properties of ACRYLITE GP
psi (69 M Pa)
00,000 psi (2800
psi (11 M Pa)
75,000 psi (3300
psi (12 M Pa)
30,000 psi (29600
psi (62 M Pa)
ft. lbs/in. of notch
(21.6 J/m of notch)
Shrinkage(c) (Internal Strain)
||D 5 2
0 at 320 nanometers
Less than 1%
||3 0-380ºF (170-190ºC)
|D 6 8
of Linear Thermal Expansion
||.00003 in/in-ºF(.000061 m/m-ºC)
||910ºF ( 90ºC)
Heat @ 77ºF.
|D 28 3
|D 1 9
30 volts/mil (17 KV/mm)
2 hrs @
Weight Gain during
Soluble Matter Lost
|Long Term Water Absorption