Acrylic advantages and disadvantages - Echo Plastic

08 Sep.,2025

 

Acrylic advantages and disadvantages - Echo Plastic

Acrylic plastic, also known as plexiglass, is a useful, clear material that resembles glass. So what’s the difference between acrylic and standard glass?  We need to know acrylic advantages and disadvantages.

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Acrylic sheet is an excellent substitute for traditional glass for many purposes. This versatile type of plastic has numerous applications and it’s also much cheaper than standard glass. In this blog, we’re going to take a closer look at the advantages of using acrylic compared to traditional glass.

The main advantages

  • 30x as strong as glass
  • 2x lighter than glass
  • Less expensive
  • Easier to work with
  • Durable
  • More translucent
  • Safer than glass

The main disadvantages

  • More liable to scratching than glass
  • Not heat-resistant

Advantage: 30 x as strong as glass

It might sound surprising but moulded acrylic sheet is actually thirty times as strong as standard glass. This is because acrylic sheet is

a form of plastic and has much greater flexibility. When moulded acrylic is being processed there is only a small risk of it breaking.

Advantage: 2 x as light as glass

Acrylic sheet or plexiglass is twice as light as standard glass, a feature that’s very handy when you want to use it for applications such as hanging an acrylic barn door.

Advantage: Acrylic sheet is cheaper

Acrylic sheet is also recommended to anyone who wants to save themselves some money. Acrylic is not only much cheaper than standard glass, but it’s also easier to cut it to size. At Echo Plastic, we’ll cut it to size for you for free.

Advantage: Processing is easier

Regular glass is at a very high risk of breaking when being processed but there’s no problem with acrylic sheet. Plexiglass or clear acrylic offers almost limitless options for processing. You can saw, mill, drill, engrave, glue, polish and bend ( with heat) these sheets.

Advantage: Plexiglass is hardwearing

Acrylic sheet is very durable and will not weather or discolour. As long as you maintain it regularly, it will keep its good looks for years. Plexiglass has the same levels of thermal efficiency as standard glass. It’s also UV- and moisture- resistant and this is why acrylic sheet is perfect for exterior applications.

Disadvantage: Acrylic sheet is more sensitive to scratches

One disadvantage of plexiglass is that it scratches more easily than standard glass, so it’s important that you maintain and clean it correctly.

Disadvantage: Acrylic is not resistant to heat

Acrylic sheet should never be used for safety applications such as windows in trains and buses. This is because acrylic panels aren’t heat resistant. If you need a substitute for standard glass that will withstand high temperatures, opt for clear polycarbonate.

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Acrylic advantages and disadvantages

Working with Iridescent & Holographic Acrylic

Our Iridescent and Holographic acrylic sheets are uniquely designed by applying a thin laser-safe film to acrylic during the manufacturing process. These acrylics feature a stunning visual effect but require special care when working with them to ensure the best results.

Protective Film and Masking

Each Iridescent and Holographic acrylic sheet comes with a clear or blue protective plastic film designed to protect the surface from scratches. However, we have heard reports that the protective film can sometimes adhere too strongly to the iridescent finish and may lift when exposed to too much heat during laser cutting. For this reason, we recommend removing the plastic film and replacing it with paper masking. You can also utilize dish soap for masking instead of paper masking.

  • Our Process: We personally replace the protective film with paper masking to prevent any damage.
  • Alternative Method: Some customers opt not to use masking and instead use the dish soap method, which can also be effective at minimizing heat effects during cutting.

Extruded Acrylic Properties

Iridescent acrylic is an extruded acrylic due to the way it is manufactured, not cast acrylic. As a result, you might notice a few differences:

  • Engraving: Iridescent acrylic may not produce the crisp white engrave that cast acrylic provides.
  • Odor: Extruded acrylic may have a stronger smell during laser cutting compared to cast acrylic.

Inconsistent Finish

The iridescent film is applied during manufacturing, which can occasionally result in minor inconsistencies on the surface, such as small bubbles or imperfections. These are usually not noticeable after cutting but can appear in certain areas.

Laser Cutting and Engraving Tips

We recommend removing the plastic protective film before lasering, as the heat from the laser could cause the iridescent film to detach. Handle the acrylic carefully when removing the protective cover and applying masking to avoid lifting the iridescent film.

Caution During Masking

If you choose to use masking, be sure to remove it carefully. Improper removal can cause damage to the film, particularly if it has been exposed to heat.

Video Guide

To help with this process, we’ve created a video demonstrating how to properly remove the plastic protective film from the iridescent acrylic. You can watch it here: Iridescent Acrylic Film Removal

We hope this guide helps you get the best results from our Iridescent and Holographic acrylic sheets! If you have any questions or run into issues, feel free to contact us for further assistance.

The company is the world’s best lgp acrylic sheet supplier. We are your one-stop shop for all needs. Our staff are highly-specialized and will help you find the product you need.