Extruded Acrylic Sheet vs PMMA-HI
Polymer · grade comparison
Extruded Acrylic Sheet and PMMA-HI are both polymer grades. Extruded Acrylic Sheet is the stronger of the two: yield strength 66 MPa (9.57 ksi) against 48 MPa (6.96 ksi) for PMMA-HI, about 38% more; tensile strength follows at 68 MPa (9.86 ksi) vs 50 MPa (7.25 ksi). In exchange, PMMA-HI is the more ductile: elongation 30% versus 4.5% for Extruded Acrylic Sheet. Extruded Acrylic Sheet is stiffer (3.1 GPa vs 2.2 GPa). On the shop floor, PMMA-HI machines more easily (very good vs good).
Extruded Acrylic SheetChoose it when strength drives the design.
PMMA-HIChoose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when the part is machined in volume.
Extruded Acrylic Sheet vs PMMA-HI: 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
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)
Elongation at Break
Compressive Strength
Compressive Modulus
Flexural Strength
Flexural Modulus
Shear Strength
Fracture Toughness (K_IC)
Izod Impact, Notched
Hardness, Shore D
Hardness, Rockwell M
Hardness, Rockwell R
Same in both: Bulk Modulus 5 GPa0.65 Msi · Poisson's Ratio 0.38
Physical
Density and transition temperatures.
Density
Glass Transition (Tg)
Water Absorption (Saturation)
Light Transmission
Same in both: Water Absorption (24 h) 0.3% · Refractive Index 1.49
Thermal
How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.
Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)
Heat Deflection Temp. @ 0.45 MPa
Heat Deflection Temp. @ 1.8 MPa
Vicat Softening Point (B50)
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 · Max Service Temperature (continuous) 72°C162 °F · Min Service Temperature -40°C-40 °F · Limiting Oxygen Index 18% · Max Service Temperature (short-term) 90°C194 °F
Electrical
Conductivity and insulation.
Dielectric Constant (1 MHz)
Dissipation Factor (1 MHz)
Surface Resistivity
Same in both: Electrical Resistivity 1×10¹³ Ω·m3.94×10²⁰ µΩ·in · Dielectric Strength 25 kV/mm635 V/mil · Volume Resistivity 1×10¹⁵ Ω·cm · 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
Weldability
Formability (cold)
Polishability
Mold Shrinkage
Melt Flow Rate
Same in both: Processing Melt Temperature (typ.) 235°C455 °F · Mold Temperature (typ.) 70°C158 °F
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 | Extruded Acrylic Sheet | PMMA-HI |
|---|---|---|
| Default condition | — | — |
| Relative cost | $$ Standard | $$ Standard |
| Min. machined wall | — | — |
| Best machined surface | — | — |
Extruded Acrylic Sheet vs PMMA-HI — frequently asked
Is Extruded Acrylic Sheet stronger than PMMA-HI?
Yes. Extruded Acrylic Sheet has a typical yield strength of 66 MPa (9.57 ksi) against 48 MPa (6.96 ksi) for PMMA-HI — about 38% more. Tensile strength is 68 MPa (9.86 ksi) vs 50 MPa (7.25 ksi).
Which is cheaper, Extruded Acrylic Sheet or PMMA-HI?
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-HI?
PMMA-HI. Its machinability rates very good (78/100) against good (65/100) for Extruded Acrylic Sheet; for welding the order is Extruded Acrylic Sheet first (very good, 70/100) then PMMA-HI (good, 62/100).
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in Extruded Acrylic Sheet and PMMA-HI 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.