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Polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA)
3-8 usd/kg
Polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), acrylic, is a transparent plastic often compared to glass. Indeed, the two materials are used in many of the same applications – glazing, aquariums, household items, tableware and furniture, for example – with acrylic being lighter, more resistant to impact and easier to form into complex and intricate shapes. The disadvantages of acrylic, when compared to glass is that it is not inert (glass is virtually inert) and will crack and weaken if exposed to certain chemicals, it softens and melts at much lower temperatures (160 degC versus 1,700 degC for glass), and it is less scratch resistant.
As a transparent plastic, it is available in standard and custom colours, from muted tones through saturated fluorescents. Edge glow is the result of light passing through the surface and refracting internally until it meets a cut edge in tinted or semi-transparent materials. This phenomenon is utilised in signage, lighting and instrument panels, for example, that are made from acrylic. A cut edge may be the perimeter, or a score on the surface, such as made by laser cutting or engraving.
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Sustainability concerns
Non-renewable ingredients
Raw material generates polluting by-products
Low circularity potential
Microplastics
Methyl methacrylate acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (MABS), also called transparent ABS, is a polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), acrylic copolymer. It is a visually impressive plastic that combines the high clarity of acrylic with the toughness and stiffness of ABS. It does not have the strength and toughness of polycarbonate (PC), but has superior toughness compared to many transparent alternatives such as acrylic, styrene acrylonitrile (SAN) and polystyrene (PS). MABS has very good stress crack resistance and processability. Applications include electronic products, electronic housings, mobile phone covers, headphones, covers, home appliances, food processing equipment, medical parts, vessels, packaging, toothbrushes, toys and sports equipment.
