Cast Acrylic Sheet vs PMMA-FR
Polymer · grade comparison
Cast Acrylic Sheet and PMMA-FR are both polymer grades. Cast Acrylic Sheet is the stronger of the two: yield strength 72 MPa (10.4 ksi) against 62 MPa (8.99 ksi) for PMMA-FR, about 16% more; tensile strength follows at 75 MPa (10.9 ksi) vs 68 MPa (9.86 ksi). On the shop floor, PMMA-FR forms better (good vs poor) and Cast Acrylic Sheet sits in a lower cost tier (standard, $$) than PMMA-FR (premium, $$$).
Cast Acrylic SheetChoose it when strength drives the design, or when cost is the deciding factor.
Cast Acrylic Sheet vs PMMA-FR: propertiesHow to read these bars
- One bar per material. A full bar is the highest value among all polymer grades in the FabDigit library; each bar is drawn as a share of that.
- The better value (by the usual engineering direction) is in bold. Rows with no direction — density, thermal conductivity — have no bold.
- Values are typical room-temperature figures for the condition named on each card.
- Confirm against the certified mill or resin datasheet before design release.
How to read these bars
- One bar per material. A full bar is the highest value among all polymer grades in the FabDigit library; each bar is drawn as a share of that.
- The better value (by the usual engineering direction) is in bold. Rows with no direction — density, thermal conductivity — have no bold.
- Values are typical room-temperature figures for the condition named on each card.
- Confirm against the certified mill or resin datasheet before design release.
Mechanical
Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.
Elastic (Young's) Modulus
Shear Modulus
Bulk Modulus
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)
Compressive Strength
Flexural Strength
Flexural Modulus
Shear Strength
Fracture Toughness (K_IC)
Hardness, Shore D
Hardness, Rockwell M
Hardness, Rockwell R
Same in both: Poisson's Ratio 0.37 · Elongation at Break 4.5% · Compressive Modulus 3 GPa0.44 Msi · Izod Impact, Notched 16 J/m0.3 ft·lbf/in
Physical
Density and transition temperatures.
Density
Glass Transition (Tg)
Refractive Index
Light Transmission
Same in both: Water Absorption (24 h) 0.3% · Water Absorption (Saturation) 2%
Thermal
How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.
Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)
Max Service Temperature (continuous)
Heat Deflection Temp. @ 0.45 MPa
Heat Deflection Temp. @ 1.8 MPa
Vicat Softening Point (B50)
Limiting Oxygen Index
Max Service Temperature (short-term)
Same in both: Thermal Conductivity 0.19 W/m·K0.11 BTU/hr·ft·°F · Specific Heat Capacity 1,470 J/kg·K0.35 BTU/lb·°F · Min Service Temperature -40°C-40 °F
Electrical
Conductivity and insulation.
Dissipation Factor (1 MHz)
Same in both: Electrical Resistivity 1×10¹³ Ω·m3.94×10²⁰ µΩ·in · Dielectric Strength 25 kV/mm635 V/mil · Dielectric Constant (1 MHz) 2.8 · Volume Resistivity 1×10¹⁵ Ω·cm · Surface Resistivity 1×10¹⁵ Ω · Comparative Tracking Index (CTI) 600 V
Chemical & Environmental
Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).
Corrosion Resistance
UV / Weathering Resistance
Manufacturability
FabDigit workshop ratings (0–100 scores) — how each material behaves on the machine.
Machinability
Formability (cold)
Mold Shrinkage
Melt Flow Rate
Processing Melt Temperature (typ.)
Mold Temperature (typ.)
Same in both: Weldability 60 / 100 · Polishability 95 / 100
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Embodied Energy (primary production)
Embodied Carbon (primary production)
Embodied Water
Typical Recycled Content
Common Calculations
Ratios derived from the values above.
Specific Strength (UTS / density)
Specific Stiffness (E / density)
Modulus of Resilience
Same in both: Thermal Diffusivity 0.1 mm²/s · Thermal Shock Resistance Index 0
Strength versus weight
Yield strength against density for every polymer grade in the FabDigit library; the compared grades are highlighted. Up and left is stronger for its weight.
Manufacturing and finishing
| Capability | Cast Acrylic Sheet | PMMA-FR |
|---|---|---|
| Default condition | — | — |
| Relative cost | $$ Standard | $$$ Premium |
| Min. machined wall | — | — |
| Best machined surface | — | — |
Cast Acrylic Sheet vs PMMA-FR — frequently asked
Is Cast Acrylic Sheet stronger than PMMA-FR?
Yes. Cast Acrylic Sheet has a typical yield strength of 72 MPa (10.4 ksi) against 62 MPa (8.99 ksi) for PMMA-FR — about 16% more. Tensile strength is 75 MPa (10.9 ksi) vs 68 MPa (9.86 ksi).
Which is cheaper, Cast Acrylic Sheet or PMMA-FR?
Cast Acrylic Sheet is the lower-cost material: it sits in the standard tier ($$) while PMMA-FR is premium ($$$). Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
When should I choose Cast Acrylic Sheet over PMMA-FR?
Pick Cast Acrylic Sheet when strength drives the design, or when cost is the deciding factor.
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in Cast Acrylic Sheet and PMMA-FR side by side — material, machining time, tolerance and finish in one quote. Certified material data ships with the order on request.
Typical handbook values for the conditions named above, normalised for comparison. Hardness on non-Brinell scales is converted approximately for charting only. Request certified data with your order for design-critical properties.