Advantages of Perspex Over Glass
Perspex is a transparent thermoplastic used in sheet form either as a shatter-resistant or lightweight alternative to glass. It is also known as Polymethyl methacrylate (PPMMA) or acrylic glass.
The following are a few advantages and applications of Perspex and why it is preferred over glass in many cases.
The material is shock resistant, very durable and strong. Perspex has very high resistance and is, therefore, able to withstand high impact without shattering. While shattering is a desirable quality of materials used in applications such as car windows, it is a dangerous quality in underwater or high attitude glazing. For this reason, Perspex is used in submarine and airplane windows as it cannot crack. Its strength also makes it a suitable for use in spectator protection in ice hockey rinks.
Perspex is UV resistant and can handle extreme weather conditions. It is preferred over glass in buildings and exterior design due to the dangerous effects of UV rays on the human body. Unlike glass, Perspex can easy get scratched, but it is very easy to clean and restore it to its original form. These qualities, in addition to the durability of Perspex, makes Perspex ideal for external advertising boards.
Perspex is incredibly light. Its density is half that of glass. It becomes the material of choice during construction since it is easy to transport and assemble. It is also used in race cars as a replacement for glass as a method of weight reduction. Race cars reduce weight to improve their performance.
Another desirable quality of Perspex is that it has a high optical transmission. The material can be manufactured in various colors to suit the intended application. The color in Perspex cannot fade unlike the tint used in glass windows.
Perspex is easy to mold and fabricate. The material is easy to cut through, drill, heat-bend, and glue. Further, it has a wide working temperature range, and although it can expand and contract, it cannot shrink. It is used in the making of furniture items such as chairs and desks.
The downside of perspex is that its manufacture releases toxic fumes that could put workers' health at risk. Perspex also melts at high temperatures.
Perspex is a strong, lightweight, durable plastic that is easy to fabricate. It has high optical transmission and is environmentally friendly. These qualities make it ideal for outdoor advertising, construction, aircraft and submarine windows among other applications.