The Benefits of Using Acrylic Products in Your Project

Acrylic plastics are transparent plastic materials that are made with outstanding strength, stiffness and clarity using a number of different products and blends to complete the finished product such as extruded acrylics. Acrylic products come in a number of different forms depending on the purpose and application they are to be used, with these including; acrylic sheets, acrylic panels and acrylic boards just to name a few. 

The different compositions of acrylics can form a number of finished products with differing uses with some types of acrylics being softer and designed primarily for indoor purposes, while other types of acrylics are built stronger and treated to ensure UV resistance suited for outdoor purposes, while other types of acrylics are designed for marine or sound dampening applications.

At Mulford we have been delivering solutions for 75 years across the Asia-Pacific regions and are the experts in acrylics, let’s explore some of the benefits and applications of different acrylic products.

The Benefits of Using Acrylics

With acrylic sheets and acrylic panels coming in such a diverse range and being able to be used in so many applications, there are a number of benefits of acrylic products.

Insulating

Acrylic sheets and products are often made thicker than glass and can be formed into many shapes and sizes. They also provide useful insulating properties.

When used correctly in buildings, acrylics can help:

- Keep areas at a more stable temperature

- Improve energy efficiency

- Reduce the need for heating and therefore electricity, which is better for the environment

Some examples of acrylics used for insulation include:

- Aircraft interiors

- Transit vehicle interior components

- Equipment housings

- Kiosk housings

Durable & Weather Resistant

Due to the high strength of acrylic panels and materials they have the ability to be extremely durable and can last the distance even with exposure to harsh weather elements and exposure to corrosive atmospheres with minimal loss to the shape and colour.

There are certain types of acrylics being purposely designed for outdoor uses with these often made with custom thermoplastic blends with a stronger surface and oftentimes are treated to be extremely UV resistant to improve longevity.

Lightweight

Compared to glass and many other plastics, acrylics are relatively lightweight and often have a much higher strength‑to‑weight ratio. Some acrylic sheets can have up to 17 times the impact resistance of ordinary glass.

This means:

- Less material may be needed to achieve the same result as other materials

- There can be cost savings and environmental benefits

- Being lightweight is an advantage in projects where weight limits apply

- Transporting materials is easier and can be more efficient

Heavy Duty

Even though acrylic panels and products are lightweight and can weigh less than 50% of the weight of glass, they can still be extremely strong. This makes them ideal for applications—especially outdoor ones—that need a heavy‑duty material.

Typical heavy‑duty uses include:

- Outdoor signage

- Pool window glazing

- Areas exposed to extreme weather conditions

Purpose‑made exterior acrylic grades are designed to handle these demanding environments.

Easy to Clean & Maintain

Thanks to their strength and often smooth finish, acrylic sheets and products are generally easier to clean and maintain than many other materials. When regularly maintained, they can look new for a long time.

However, a few care points are important to avoid damage:

- Do not use harsh glass cleaners such as Windex that can damage the surface and alter its chemical makeup.

- Avoid ammonia‑based cleaning products.

- Make sure cleaning cloths are clean and free of grit or particles that could scratch the surface.

- Avoid using paper towel; although it feels smooth, it can be abrasive.

Different Types of Acrylics and Their Applications

With a number of different types of acrylics made to suit a number of wide ranging and different purposes, there is Mulford product to suit your needs.

Acrylic Cast GreenTick Acrylic™

GreenTick Acrylic™ is an environmentally friendly and sustainable alternative which is made from a minimum of 50% recycled material which helps in reducing the environmental footprint.  GreenTick Acrylic™ is a high-optic, economical and quality cast acrylic that can be used for a variety of applications.

Key features of GreenTick Acrylic™ include;

- Environmentally friendly

- Made from a minimum of 50% recycled material

- A high-gloss optical surface appearance and light transmission

- Easily fabricated

Some ideal applications for GreenTick Acrylic™ include;

- Display stands

- POP Displays

- Exhibition displays

- Display cases

Donchamp® Splash Acrylic

Donchamp® Splash Acrylic is the perfect choice acrylic for window glazing, aquariums and other custom designs, consisting of outstanding optical clarity and a distortion-free appearance. With a 30 year UV guarantee and excellent weatherability, Donchamp® Splash Acrylic is perfect for outdoor uses.

Key features of Donchamp® include;

- Excellent UV properties

- Superior weatherability

- Easily fabricated

Some ideal applications for Donchamp® Splash Acrylic include;

- Aquatic glazing

- Architectural glazing

- Displays and furniture

Acrylic Extruded

Acrylic Extruded is a continuously processed acrylic sheet that offers a balance between impact resistance and cost effectiveness. With four different Acrylic Extruded products available and extruded acrylic sheets, including; Acrytuff GP, Acrytuff Impact Modified, Acrylic Capped ABS and Optix DA Digital there is a product that will suit the needs of almost any project

Some key features of Mulford’s Acrylic Extruded products are;

- Custom blends are available

- Light weight

- Excellent weatherability

- Excellent thermoformability properties

Some ideal applications for Acrylic Extruded products include;

- Signage

- Display units

- Lighting fixtures

- Automotive accessories

- Skylights

Donchamp® NoiseGuard Acrylic

Donchamp® NoiseGuard is specifically designed and developed acrylic grade which is highly weather resistant, has excellent weatherability and is simple to fabricate. Donchamp® NoiseGuard is perfect for reducing noise pollution levels and hazardous high level winds.

Some ideal applications for Donchamp® NoiseGuard include;

- Excellent optical quality

- Superior weather and aging properties

- Easy to clean and maintain

- Strong surface hardness

Conclusion

Whatever your project may be and whatever the need may be (anything from a simple POS display to the outsides of an outdoor aquarium), there is almost certainly an acrylic product that will be perfect for your needs. For further advice on the different types of acrylics products and uses for your project, don’t hesitate to contact us at Mulford today and let our team help you.