Extruded Acrylic Sheet vs PMMA-Optical
Polymer · grade comparison
Extruded Acrylic Sheet and PMMA-Optical are both polymer grades. PMMA-Optical 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, Extruded Acrylic Sheet welds better (very good vs good) and Extruded Acrylic Sheet forms better (excellent vs very good).
Extruded Acrylic SheetChoose it when it will be welded.
PMMA-OpticalChoose it when strength drives the design.
Extruded Acrylic Sheet vs PMMA-Optical: 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.
Extruded Acrylic SheetPMMA-Optical
Mechanical
Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.
Elastic (Young's) Modulus
Bulk Modulus
Poisson's Ratio
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)
Compressive Strength
Flexural Strength
Flexural Modulus
Shear Strength
Hardness, Rockwell M
Hardness, Rockwell R
Same in both: Shear Modulus 1.2 GPa0.17 Msi · Elongation at Break 4.5% · Compressive Modulus 3 GPa0.44 Msi · Fracture Toughness (K_IC) 1.1 MPa·√m1 ksi·√in · Izod Impact, Notched 18 J/m0.34 ft·lbf/in · Hardness, Shore D 90 Shore D
Physical
Density and transition temperatures.
Glass Transition (Tg)
Water Absorption (24 h)
Refractive Index
Light Transmission
Same in both: Density 1.19 g/cm³0.04 lb/in³ · 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.
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
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
Processing Melt Temperature (typ.)
Mold Temperature (typ.)
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Embodied Carbon (primary production)
Embodied Water
Typical Recycled Content
Same in both: Embodied Energy (primary production) 105 MJ/kg45,142 BTU/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-Optical |
|---|---|---|
| Default condition | — | — |
| Relative cost | $$ Standard | $$ Standard |
| Min. machined wall | — | — |
| Best machined surface | — | — |
Extruded Acrylic Sheet vs PMMA-Optical — frequently asked
Is PMMA-Optical stronger than Extruded Acrylic Sheet?
Yes. PMMA-Optical 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-Optical?
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-Optical?
PMMA-Optical. Its machinability rates very good (72/100) against good (65/100) for Extruded Acrylic Sheet; for welding the order is Extruded Acrylic Sheet first (very good, 70/100) then PMMA-Optical (good, 60/100).
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in Extruded Acrylic Sheet and PMMA-Optical 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.