A small clear acrylic rectangle with rounded corners and a hole punched at one end, etched with the Center for Craft name and logo; the material is transparent enough to be barely visible.

Cast acrylic (often known as Plexiglas) is a clear, synthetic thermoplastic made from polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA). It is known for its superior optical clarity, surface finish, and glass-like appearance.

Composition

Polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA)

Handling Notes

  • Cast acrylic can be easily cut using a bandsaw or laser cutter
  • Acrylic is sensitive to solvents
  • Additionally, acrylic begins to soften at temperatures above 230° F
  • It’s essential to ventilate the area when cutting or drilling, as traces of methyl methacrylate can be released

Applications in Craft

Keywords

Provenance

Acquired 2024.

Sources

  • “Acrylic | Sheet - Cast,” Direct Plastics, n.d., https://www.directplastics.co.uk/pdf/datasheets/acrylic-sheet-cast-data-sheet.pdf .

In Use

Have you used this material?

Please contact Mellanee Goodman, Program Director, Curator, and Materials Specialist, to start a conversation about submitting your work for inclusion on this site.

mgoodman@centerforcraft.org