FabDigitFabDigit

Extruded Acrylic Sheet vs PMMA-GP

Polymer · grade comparison

Extruded Acrylic Sheet and PMMA-GP are both polymer grades. PMMA-GP is the stronger of the two: yield strength 70 MPa (10.2 ksi) against 66 MPa (9.57 ksi) for Extruded Acrylic Sheet, about 6% more; tensile strength follows at 72 MPa (10.4 ksi) vs 68 MPa (9.86 ksi). On the shop floor, PMMA-GP machines more easily (very good vs good) and Extruded Acrylic Sheet forms better (excellent vs very good).

PMMA-GPChoose it when strength drives the design, or when the part is machined in volume.

Extruded Acrylic Sheet vs PMMA-GP: properties

Extruded Acrylic SheetPMMA-GP

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Elastic (Young's) Modulus

3.1 GPa0.45 Msi
3.2 GPa0.46 Msi

Bulk Modulus

5 GPa0.65 Msi
5 GPa0.73 Msi

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

68 MPa9.9 ksi
72 MPa10.4 ksi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

66 MPa9.6 ksi
70 MPa10.2 ksi

Compressive Strength

105 MPa15.2 ksi
110 MPa16 ksi

Compressive Modulus

3 GPa0.44 Msi
3.1 GPa0.45 Msi

Flexural Strength

103 MPa14.9 ksi
105 MPa15.2 ksi

Flexural Modulus

3.1 GPa0.45 Msi
3.2 GPa0.46 Msi

Shear Strength

58 MPa8.4 ksi
60 MPa8.7 ksi

Fracture Toughness (K_IC)

1.1 MPa·√m1 ksi·√in
1.2 MPa·√m1.1 ksi·√in

Hardness, Rockwell M

92 HRM
95 HRM

Hardness, Rockwell R

123 HRR
125 HRR

Same in both: Shear Modulus 1.2 GPa0.17 Msi · Poisson's Ratio 0.38 · Elongation at Break 4.5% · Izod Impact, Notched 18 J/m0.34 ft·lbf/in · Hardness, Shore D 90 Shore D

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Glass Transition (Tg)

100°C212 °F
105°C221 °F

Refractive Index

1.49
1.491

Same in both: Density 1.19 g/cm³0.04 lb/in³ · Water Absorption (24 h) 0.3% · Water Absorption (Saturation) 2% · Light Transmission 92%

Thermal

How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.

Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)

72 µm/m·K40 µin/in·°F
70 µm/m·K38.9 µin/in·°F

Max Service Temperature (continuous)

72°C162 °F
75°C167 °F

Heat Deflection Temp. @ 0.45 MPa

95°C203 °F
98°C208 °F

Heat Deflection Temp. @ 1.8 MPa

87°C189 °F
92°C198 °F

Vicat Softening Point (B50)

102°C216 °F
108°C226 °F

Limiting Oxygen Index

18%
18%

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 · Max Service Temperature (short-term) 90°C194 °F

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Same in both: Electrical Resistivity 1×10¹³ Ω·m3.94×10²⁰ µΩ·in · Dielectric Strength 25 kV/mm635 V/mil · Dielectric Constant (1 MHz) 2.7 · Dissipation Factor (1 MHz) 0.02 · Volume Resistivity 1×10¹⁵ Ω·cm · Surface Resistivity 1×10¹⁶ Ω · Comparative Tracking Index (CTI) 600 V

Chemical & Environmental

Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).

UV / Weathering Resistance

92 / 100
95 / 100

Same in both: Corrosion Resistance 80 / 100

Manufacturability

FabDigit workshop ratings (0–100 scores) — how each material behaves on the machine.

Machinability

65 / 100
75 / 100

Weldability

70 / 100
65 / 100

Formability (cold)

88 / 100
70 / 100

Polishability

80 / 100
98 / 100

Mold Shrinkage

0.4%
0.5%

Melt Flow Rate

2.5 g/10 min
3 g/10 min

Processing Melt Temperature (typ.)

235°C455 °F
240°C464 °F

Same in both: Mold Temperature (typ.) 70°C158 °F

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Energy (primary production)

105 MJ/kg45,142 BTU/lb
100 MJ/kg42,992 BTU/lb

Embodied Carbon (primary production)

6.5 kg CO₂/kg
6 kg CO₂/kg

Typical Recycled Content

3%
0%

Same in both: Embodied Water 250 L/kg30 gal/lb

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Strength (UTS / density)

57 kN·m/kg
61 kN·m/kg

Specific Stiffness (E / density)

2.6 MN·m/kg
2.7 MN·m/kg

Modulus of Resilience

703 kJ/m³
766 kJ/m³

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.

0.1110100123Density (g/cm³)Yield strength (MPa) — log scalePMMA-GPExtruded Acrylic Sheet

Manufacturing and finishing

CapabilityExtruded Acrylic SheetPMMA-GP
Default condition——
Relative cost$$ Standard$$ Standard
Min. machined wall——
Best machined surface——

Extruded Acrylic Sheet vs PMMA-GP — frequently asked

Is PMMA-GP stronger than Extruded Acrylic Sheet?

Yes. PMMA-GP has a typical yield strength of 70 MPa (10.2 ksi) against 66 MPa (9.57 ksi) for Extruded Acrylic Sheet — about 6% more. Tensile strength is 72 MPa (10.4 ksi) vs 68 MPa (9.86 ksi).

Which is cheaper, Extruded Acrylic Sheet or PMMA-GP?

Both sit in the same relative cost tier ($$, standard); the part price will be decided by machining time, tolerance and quantity rather than by the material.

Which is easier to machine, Extruded Acrylic Sheet or PMMA-GP?

PMMA-GP. Its machinability rates very good (75/100) against good (65/100) for Extruded Acrylic Sheet; for welding the order is Extruded Acrylic Sheet first (very good, 70/100) then PMMA-GP (good, 65/100).

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in Extruded Acrylic Sheet and PMMA-GP 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.