It is polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), a clear, rigid thermoplastic. It is also known by trade names such as Plexiglas.

What is acrylic used for?

For parts that have to be clear and rigid: covers, sight windows, panels, lenses, light guides, plates, signage and display parts.

Can acrylic edges be polished?

Yes. After machining, the edges are polished until they are clear.

How clear is acrylic?

It transmits about 92% of light and has a refractive index of 1.49.

How strong is acrylic?

It takes 55–70 MPa in tension and is rigid (2.7 GPa), but a hard impact can break or chip it.

What temperature can acrylic handle?

It has a heat deflection temperature of 90–105 °C. Above that it softens and distorts.

How much does acrylic weigh?

It has a density of 1.18 g/cm³.

Is acrylic chemical resistant?

It resists water and many dilute acids and alkalis, but alcohol, solvents and some cleaners crack it.

Can acrylic be used outdoors?

Yes. It holds up in sunlight and doesn’t yellow.

What is the difference between cast and extruded acrylic?

Cast acrylic is poured into a mold; extruded acrylic is pushed through a die. Cast is preferred for machining because it has less internal stress and cracks less.

How much do custom acrylic parts cost?

It depends on size, geometry, finish and quantity. As a reference, a CNC milled acrylic adapter plate of 80 × 60 × 10 mm with a Ø30 center bore, four Ø5.5 holes and polished edges costs $48.79 USD for 1 part, $9.55 each at 25 and $8.13 at 100. Upload your file to get the exact price of your part instantly.

Do you machine custom acrylic parts from a single piece?

Yes. Upload your CAD file (STEP) and get an instant price and delivery date, from one part to production.

CNC milling and turning · From 1 part

Acrylic (PMMA)
CNC Machining

Clear acrylic plates, covers, sight windows, panels, lenses, brackets and display parts, milled and turned from your file. Upload your CAD and order online, starting at a single part.

See acrylic properties

Adapter plate

Acrylic (PMMA) · 80 × 60 × 10 mm · Ø30 center bore · 4 × Ø5.5 holes · Polished edges · CNC milled

1 pc

$48.79 USD

per part

25 pcs

$9.55 USD

per part

-80.43%

100 pcs

$8.13 USD

per part

-83.34%

Loading…

Manufacturing services

CNC milling and turning · From 1 part

Acrylic (PMMA)
CNC Machining

Clear acrylic plates, covers, sight windows, panels, lenses, brackets and display parts, milled and turned from your file. Upload your CAD and order online, starting at a single part.

See acrylic properties

Adapter plate

Acrylic (PMMA) · 80 × 60 × 10 mm · Ø30 center bore · 4 × Ø5.5 holes · Polished edges · CNC milled

1 pc

$48.79 USD

per part

25 pcs

$9.55 USD

per part

-80.43%

100 pcs

$8.13 USD

per part

-83.34%

Material Overview

What is Acrylic (PMMA)?

Acrylic (PMMA, polymethyl methacrylate) is a clear, rigid plastic. It transmits about 92% of light, weighs 1.18 g/cm³, takes 55–70 MPa in tension and holds up well in sunlight. That is why it is used for covers, sight windows, panels, lenses, plates and display parts. At PREMSA we CNC mill and turn it from your file, with polished edges if you need them, starting at a single part with an instant price.

Precision-cut and polished acrylic components

Specifications

Acrylic (PMMA) Specifications

Acrylic (PMMA) properties: optical, mechanical and thermal data to choose the material for your machined part.

Acrylic (PMMA) Engineering Properties

Material Type

Amorphous thermoplastic (PMMA)

Primary Characteristics

Clear, rigid, good finish, UV resistant; brittle under hard impacts

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

8,000–10,000 psi (55–70 MPa)

Flexural Strength

11,000–17,000 psi (75–117 MPa)

Elongation at Break

3–6%

Impact Resistance

Low to moderate: it can break under a hard impact

Hardness

Rockwell M90–M105

Density

1.18 g/cm³ (0.043 lb/in³)

Elastic Modulus

400,000 psi (2.7 GPa)

Light Transmission

≈92%

Refractive Index

1.49

Heat Deflection Temperature

90–105 °C (194–221 °F)

Glass Transition Temperature

~105 °C (221 °F)

Thermal Conductivity

0.19 W/m·K

Machinability

Good: it is machined with sharp tooling, a good feed and without heating the part so it doesn’t melt or chip; edges can be polished

Formability

Good (thermoforming compatible)

Chemical Resistance

Moderate: alcohol, solvents and some cleaners crack it

UV Resistance

Excellent: it doesn’t yellow in sunlight

Common Forms

Sheet, plate and rod; cast and extruded acrylic

Typical Applications

Covers and sight windows, clear panels, lenses and light guides, plates, display parts, signage, protective barriers

Performance

Material Performance Overview

Rating across key engineering and manufacturing criteria.

Strength

Weight

Machinability

Optical Clarity

Impact Resistance

Formability

UV Resistance

Cost Efficiency

Need custom acrylic parts?

Upload your CAD file and get an instant price and delivery date. CNC milling and turning from one part to production.

Acrylic parts we machine

We CNC mill and turn acrylic parts that have to be clear, rigid and finish well.

Clear plates and bases

Covers and lids

Sight windows

Equipment panels

Lenses and light guides

Display parts

Signage

Protective barriers

Custom acrylic parts

Material FAQs

Acrylic FAQ

What people ask most about acrylic parts: what it is, uses, machining, polishing, clarity, strength, temperature, chemicals, outdoor use, price and tolerances.

Material Guide

Acrylic (PMMA): properties, machining, tolerances and finishes

Acrylic is chosen for parts you need to see through: covers, sight windows, panels, lenses, plates and display parts.

At PREMSA Industries we machine acrylic with CNC milling and turning from your file, from a prototype to production.

Key manufacturing characteristics of acrylic

Clear: it transmits about 92% of light.
Rigid: 2.7 GPa elastic modulus.
UV resistant: it doesn’t yellow.
Good finish: edges can be polished clear.
Machinable: with CNC milling and CNC turning.

Mechanical and physical properties of acrylic

Acrylic is chosen when the part has to be clear, rigid and look good.

Typical performance profile

55–70 MPa tensile
3–6% elongation
Rockwell hardness M90–M105
Density of 1.18 g/cm³
Heat deflection temperature of 90–105 °C

Why engineers choose it

It is clear
It is rigid
It holds up in sunlight
It machines and polishes with a good finish

Strengths and advantages of acrylic

Clarity: about 92% light transmission.
UV resistance: suited for outdoor use.
Rigidity: it doesn’t flex like a soft plastic.
Polished edges: they come out clear.
Lightweight: 1.18 g/cm³.

Trade-offs and limitations of acrylic

Brittle under hard impacts: it can break or chip.
Solvents and alcohol: they crack it.
Limited temperature: it works up to about 90–105 °C.
Scratches: the surface marks if cleaned with something abrasive.

Fabrication and machining considerations for acrylic

Tolerances on acrylic parts

If your drawing doesn’t specify tolerances, we machine to ISO 2768-m (medium). On dimensions you call out —holes, pockets and fits— we can hold ±0.05 mm (±0.002 in), and critical dimensions are checked in inspection. Acrylic expands with heat, so tight dimensions are measured at room temperature.

Machining behavior

Acrylic is machined with CNC milling, CNC turning, drilling and tapping. It is cut with sharp tooling, a good feed and air or coolant: if it heats up, it melts at the edge; if the tool is dull or the feed is rough, it chips. Holes are drilled with plastic drills and edges are polished last.

Sharp tooling
Good feed, without heating the part
Air or coolant
Edge polishing last

Finishes for acrylic parts

Common acrylic parts

Because it is clear, rigid and machines well, acrylic is used in many parts made with CNC machining.

Plates
Covers
Sight windows
Panels
Lenses and light guides
Display parts

When acrylic is a strong material choice

Acrylic is usually the right choice when the part has to be clear and rigid, without hard impacts or solvents.

When you need to see through the part
When the part goes outdoors
When the edge has to be polished
When the drawing calls for acrylic, PMMA or polymethyl methacrylate

Material Overview

What is Acrylic (PMMA)?

Specifications

Acrylic (PMMA) Specifications

Acrylic (PMMA) properties: optical, mechanical and thermal data to choose the material for your machined part.

Acrylic (PMMA) Engineering Properties

Material Type

Amorphous thermoplastic (PMMA)

Primary Characteristics

Clear, rigid, good finish, UV resistant; brittle under hard impacts

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

8,000–10,000 psi (55–70 MPa)

Flexural Strength

11,000–17,000 psi (75–117 MPa)

Elongation at Break

3–6%

Impact Resistance

Low to moderate: it can break under a hard impact

Hardness

Rockwell M90–M105

Density

1.18 g/cm³ (0.043 lb/in³)

Elastic Modulus

400,000 psi (2.7 GPa)

Light Transmission

≈92%

Refractive Index

1.49

Heat Deflection Temperature

90–105 °C (194–221 °F)

Glass Transition Temperature

~105 °C (221 °F)

Thermal Conductivity

0.19 W/m·K

Machinability

Good: it is machined with sharp tooling, a good feed and without heating the part so it doesn’t melt or chip; edges can be polished

Formability

Good (thermoforming compatible)

Chemical Resistance

Moderate: alcohol, solvents and some cleaners crack it

UV Resistance

Excellent: it doesn’t yellow in sunlight

Common Forms

Sheet, plate and rod; cast and extruded acrylic

Typical Applications

Covers and sight windows, clear panels, lenses and light guides, plates, display parts, signage, protective barriers

Performance

Material Performance Overview

Rating across key engineering and manufacturing criteria.

Strength

Weight

Machinability

Optical Clarity

Impact Resistance

Formability

UV Resistance

Cost Efficiency

Need custom acrylic parts?

Upload your CAD file and get an instant price and delivery date. CNC milling and turning from one part to production.

Acrylic parts we machine

We CNC mill and turn acrylic parts that have to be clear, rigid and finish well.

Clear plates and bases

Covers and lids

Sight windows

Equipment panels

Lenses and light guides

Display parts

Signage

Protective barriers

Custom acrylic parts

Material FAQs

Acrylic FAQ

What people ask most about acrylic parts: what it is, uses, machining, polishing, clarity, strength, temperature, chemicals, outdoor use, price and tolerances.

Material Guide

Acrylic (PMMA): properties, machining, tolerances and finishes

Key manufacturing characteristics of acrylic

Clear: it transmits about 92% of light.
Rigid: 2.7 GPa elastic modulus.
UV resistant: it doesn’t yellow.
Good finish: edges can be polished clear.
Machinable: with CNC milling and CNC turning.

Mechanical and physical properties of acrylic

Acrylic is chosen when the part has to be clear, rigid and look good.

Typical performance profile

55–70 MPa tensile
3–6% elongation
Rockwell hardness M90–M105
Density of 1.18 g/cm³
Heat deflection temperature of 90–105 °C

Why engineers choose it

It is clear
It is rigid
It holds up in sunlight
It machines and polishes with a good finish

Strengths and advantages of acrylic

Clarity: about 92% light transmission.
UV resistance: suited for outdoor use.
Rigidity: it doesn’t flex like a soft plastic.
Polished edges: they come out clear.
Lightweight: 1.18 g/cm³.

Trade-offs and limitations of acrylic

Brittle under hard impacts: it can break or chip.
Solvents and alcohol: they crack it.
Limited temperature: it works up to about 90–105 °C.
Scratches: the surface marks if cleaned with something abrasive.

Fabrication and machining considerations for acrylic

Tolerances on acrylic parts

Machining behavior

Sharp tooling
Good feed, without heating the part
Air or coolant
Edge polishing last

Finishes for acrylic parts

Common acrylic parts

Because it is clear, rigid and machines well, acrylic is used in many parts made with CNC machining.

Plates
Covers
Sight windows
Panels
Lenses and light guides
Display parts

When acrylic is a strong material choice

Acrylic is usually the right choice when the part has to be clear and rigid, without hard impacts or solvents.

When you need to see through the part
When the part goes outdoors
When the edge has to be polished
When the drawing calls for acrylic, PMMA or polymethyl methacrylate

Acrylic (PMMA)CNC Machining

Acrylic (PMMA)CNC Machining

What is Acrylic (PMMA)?

Acrylic (PMMA) Specifications

Acrylic (PMMA) Engineering Properties

Material Performance Overview

Need custom acrylic parts?

Acrylic parts we machine

Acrylic FAQ

Acrylic (PMMA): properties, machining, tolerances and finishes

Key manufacturing characteristics of acrylic

Mechanical and physical properties of acrylic

Typical performance profile

Why engineers choose it

Strengths and advantages of acrylic

Trade-offs and limitations of acrylic

Fabrication and machining considerations for acrylic

Tolerances on acrylic parts

Machining behavior

Finishes for acrylic parts

Common acrylic parts

When acrylic is a strong material choice

What is Acrylic (PMMA)?

Acrylic (PMMA) Specifications

Acrylic (PMMA) Engineering Properties

Material Performance Overview

Need custom acrylic parts?

Acrylic parts we machine

Acrylic FAQ

Acrylic (PMMA): properties, machining, tolerances and finishes

Key manufacturing characteristics of acrylic

Mechanical and physical properties of acrylic

Typical performance profile

Why engineers choose it

Strengths and advantages of acrylic

Trade-offs and limitations of acrylic

Fabrication and machining considerations for acrylic

Tolerances on acrylic parts

Machining behavior

Finishes for acrylic parts

Common acrylic parts

When acrylic is a strong material choice

Acrylic (PMMA)
CNC Machining

Acrylic (PMMA)
CNC Machining