Extruded Acrylic Sheet vs PMMA-HR
Polymer · grade comparison
Extruded Acrylic Sheet and PMMA-HR are both polymer grades. PMMA-HR is the stronger of the two: yield strength 72 MPa (10.4 ksi) against 66 MPa (9.57 ksi) for Extruded Acrylic Sheet, about 9% more; tensile strength follows at 74 MPa (10.7 ksi) vs 68 MPa (9.86 ksi). In exchange, Extruded Acrylic Sheet is the more ductile: elongation 4.5% versus 3.5% for PMMA-HR. PMMA-HR is stiffer (3.3 GPa vs 3.1 GPa) and PMMA-HR runs hotter in service (95°C vs 72°C continuous). On the shop floor, Extruded Acrylic Sheet welds better (very good vs good).
Extruded Acrylic SheetChoose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when it will be welded.
PMMA-HRChoose it when strength drives the design, or when the part sees heat.
Extruded Acrylic Sheet vs PMMA-HR: 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)
Elongation at Break
Compressive Strength
Flexural Strength
Flexural Modulus
Izod Impact, Notched
Hardness, Rockwell M
Hardness, Rockwell R
Same in both: Poisson's Ratio 0.38 · Compressive Modulus 3 GPa0.44 Msi · Shear Strength 58 MPa8.4 ksi · Fracture Toughness (K_IC) 1.1 MPa·√m1 ksi·√in · Hardness, Shore D 90 Shore D
Physical
Density and transition temperatures.
Glass Transition (Tg)
Refractive Index
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)
Max Service Temperature (continuous)
Heat Deflection Temp. @ 0.45 MPa
Heat Deflection Temp. @ 1.8 MPa
Vicat Softening Point (B50)
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 · Limiting Oxygen Index 18%
Electrical
Conductivity and insulation.
Dielectric Constant (1 MHz)
Same in both: Electrical Resistivity 1×10¹³ Ω·m3.94×10²⁰ µΩ·in · Dielectric Strength 25 kV/mm635 V/mil · 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).
Corrosion Resistance
Same in both: UV / Weathering Resistance 92 / 100
Manufacturability
FabDigit workshop ratings (0–100 scores) — how each material behaves on the machine.
Machinability
Weldability
Formability (cold)
Polishability
Mold Shrinkage
Melt Flow Rate
Processing Melt Temperature (typ.)
Mold Temperature (typ.)
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Embodied Energy (primary production)
Embodied Carbon (primary production)
Typical Recycled Content
Same in both: Embodied Water 250 L/kg30 gal/lb
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-HR |
|---|---|---|
| Default condition | — | — |
| Relative cost | $$ Standard | $$ Standard |
| Min. machined wall | — | — |
| Best machined surface | — | — |
Extruded Acrylic Sheet vs PMMA-HR — frequently asked
Is PMMA-HR stronger than Extruded Acrylic Sheet?
Yes. PMMA-HR has a typical yield strength of 72 MPa (10.4 ksi) against 66 MPa (9.57 ksi) for Extruded Acrylic Sheet — about 9% more. Tensile strength is 74 MPa (10.7 ksi) vs 68 MPa (9.86 ksi).
Which is cheaper, Extruded Acrylic Sheet or PMMA-HR?
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 welds better, Extruded Acrylic Sheet or PMMA-HR?
Extruded Acrylic Sheet. Its weldability rates very good (70/100) against good (55/100) for PMMA-HR.
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in Extruded Acrylic Sheet and PMMA-HR 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.