Plexiglass UV resistance

[russ]

In the US if you go to a builders supply and ask for plexiglass you get one thing - roof sheeting/ greenhouse cover - may be or may not be UV resistant

If you ask for acrylic you get a totally different material - much more costly for different uses.

Polycarbonate is another selection commonly used for greenhouse covers - much more expensive that plexiglass - again may or may not be UV resistant

[Sunny Solar]

What is sld in the US as plexiglass and acrylic are two VERY different materials

Russ I dont know anything about the subject but became interested only because of someone on this thread asking about plexiglass and acrylic glass. Then when you said "they are very different materials when sold in USA..
I cant see any difference and from adverts in USA I cant see any differences.

But you say they are very different materials. so I assume you must know or im sure you would not have said that. or someone else must know what those differences are and can tell me so I and others know also..

I heve read all I can find on google and wikipedia,.but so far cant see any differences no matter where its sold in the world.

[russ]

John - You are tilting windmills -

[Sunny Solar]

It seems its different here in Australia. the only name everyone here seems to use is Perspex..

Even simpler in Philippines if its not glass and you can see through it its plastic.
Like if you have a mains voltage sag or a complete blackout its a "brownout" one word covers everything.

[Sunny Solar]

This brings me back to the first question..
If I went to Home Depot store in Arkansas and asked for a sheet of plexiglass then went to a Home Depot store in Wyoming and asked for a sheet of Acrylic glass would I get the same thing or two completely different things?

[inetdog]

I also read the Wicked peadia article And I understand it to say that Acrilic glass ,Plexi glass, Perspex ,Lucite and Acrylite are just interchangable names for the same product. All those names appear to be each manufacturers name for the one product. Well thats how I read it..

Now if someone can give the chemical compositions of Plexi glass and Acrylic glass and show they are different, Then it would appear that they are different,Cant accept an answer that simply says they are different.

How about "It is sometimes called simply acrylic, although acrylic can also refer to other polymers or copolymers containing polyacrylonitrile."

Containing polyacrylonitrile would definitely make it different chemically. So it really comes down to a detailed description of any particular brand of "acryilc". If it is made only from PMMA, then it is chemically the same as the original Plexiglas®. Anybody who markets something which contains polyacrylonitrile as well as PMMA would be producing something different. The particular brand names that are listed as interchangeable, like Lucite®, Perspex®, etc. ARE interchangeable. The problem is that "acrylic glass" by itself is not sufficient to insure that it is the same product.
That said, anybody who markets their product specifically as the equivalent of Plexiglas® is probably telling the truth.

In addition to the chemical composition, there are other things about the manufacturing process which can give the end product differing properties. But those should be less important.

[Sunny Solar]

I also read the Wicked peadia article And I understand it to say that Acrilic glass ,Plexi glass, Perspex ,Lucite and Acrylite are just interchangable names for the same product. All those names appear to be each manufacturers name for the one product. Well thats how I read it..

Now if someone can give the chemical compositions of Plexi glass and Acrylic glass and show they are different, Then it would appear that they are different,Cant accept an answer that simply says they are different.

[inetdog]

OK I admit I know nothing about any possible differences if any.. But if there is a difference why do USA suppliers appear call it as the same ??

If there is a difference in the material can you give exact composition of each type ?

Well, here is what the manufacturer has to say.

Altuglas International is a global leader in PMMA (polymethylmethacrylate) technology. We manufacture and market PMMA resin and sheet products under the brand name Plexiglas® in North and Latin America, and under the brand name Altuglas® in Asia/Pacific, Europe, Africa and the Middle East.

The next question is whether the other "Acrylics" are really PMMA or some other formulation.

This is a situation where I would put some reasonable faith in the Wikipedia article. Particularly:

It is often preferred because of its moderate properties, easy handling and processing, and low cost, but behaves in a brittle manner when loaded, especially under an impact force, and is more prone to scratching than conventional inorganic glass.

But you already know that part.

And on the potential difference between generic "acrylic" and PMMA:

PMMA has been sold under a variety of brand names and generic names. It is often generically called acrylic glass,[6] although it is chemically unrelated to glass. It is sometimes called simply acrylic, although acrylic can also refer to other polymers or copolymers containing polyacrylonitrile.

[Sunny Solar]

OK I admit I know nothing about any possible differences if any.. But if there is a difference why do USA suppliers appear call it as the same ??

This is from a USA company. professionalplastics.

PLEXIGLASS SHEET - EXTRUDED Acrylic
Plexiglass Sheet (Plexiglass Extruded Acrylic) is a glazing, signage, window or display material that is unaffected by moisture, and has a high strength-to-weight ratio. Plexiglass sheet ( Plexi, or Plexy) offers high light transmittance and can be heat-formed without loss of optical clarity. Professional Plastics sells Acrylite Sheet, Lucite Sheets & Optix Sheet brands rather than Plexiglas® brand sheets. Plexiglas® (one s) is a tradename of Arkema. Plexiglass acrylic sheets may vary slightly by brand. Acrylic can be cut, routed, polished, bent and formed. Shop our online store for the best plexiglass prices delivered to your door. ORDER PLEXIGLASS CUT-TO-SIZE BELOW - ENTER YOUR CUSTOM SIZE

If there is a difference in the material can you give exact composition of each type ?

[russ]

What is sld in the US as plexiglass and acrylic are two VERY different materials

[Sunny Solar]

PLEXI GLASS ,ACRILIC Seem to me to be the same,but equally unsuitable for solar panels.

Poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) is a transparent thermoplastic, often used as a lightweight or shatter-resistant alternative to glass. It is sometimes called acrylic glass. Chemically, it is the synthetic polymer of methyl methacrylate. The material was developed in 1928 in various laboratories, and was first brought to market in 1933 by the Rohm and Haas Company, under the trademark Plexiglas.[4] It has since been sold under many different names, including Lucite and Perspex.

In 1933 the German chemist Otto Röhm patented and registered the brand name PLEXIGLAS

[russ]

plexi glass and arcrylic is the same?

Two totally different materials

[piper34]

dsf

plexi glass and arcrylic is the same?

[Sunny Solar]

Why anything?? Commercial manufacturers dont out anything there. I cant see what possible advantages it can have??

[Gimpytr]

Wood of any kind inside the panel space will outgas volatile organic compounds when heated.

Marbles?