Extruded PMMA (Extruded acrylic)
Frequently asked questions
Can Extruded PMMA (Extruded acrylic) be laser cut?
Yes: Extruded PMMA (Extruded acrylic) can be laser cut. Adequate extraction/ventilation is required.
Can Extruded PMMA (Extruded acrylic) be CNC machined?
Yes: Extruded PMMA (Extruded acrylic) can be CNC machined.
Is Extruded PMMA (Extruded acrylic) food safe?
No, Extruded PMMA (Extruded acrylic) is not considered food safe.
Physical properties
| Density | 1190.0–1190.0 kg/m³ |
|---|---|
| Tensile strength | 70.0 MPa |
| Melting point | 150.0–160.0 °C |
| Glass transition (Tg) | 100.0 °C |
| Thermal expansion | 70.0 µm/m·K |
| Moisture absorption | Low |
Laser processing
Releases methyl methacrylate (MMA) vapours, strongly irritating. Requires extraction with external venting or dedicated filters.
CO₂: Cuts easily at lower powers than cast PMMA. However, edges are less glossy and build up strong internal thermal stress, making the part prone to stress-cracking after cutting.
Diode: Only opaque or coloured variants. The blue diode beam passes through transparent extruded PMMA without interacting.
Fiber: Not applicable.
CNC / milling processing
Tends to melt far more easily than cast PMMA. Requires fast feed rates, controlled RPM, and single-flute bits with rapid chip evacuation and cold air blast.
Plotter and thermoforming
Post-processing
Sanding: Sensitive to friction overheating during sanding. Always work wet. 240 → 400 → 800 → 1200 and finish with polishing compound.
Gluing: Extremely sensitive to stress-cracking in the presence of vinyl glues, cyanoacrylates, or pure solvents. Requires specific adhesives and, ideally, prior thermal annealing.
Over time: Excellent outdoor stability and resistance to UV yellowing.
Common defects
- Stress cracking (radial micro-fractures) around holes or laser-cut edges on contact with adhesives or detergents
- Melted or smeared edges during CNC milling due to insufficient chip evacuation
- Opaque or slightly burred edges compared to the crystal finish of cast acrylic
Safety
Recommended PPE: mask_p3, eye_protection
Flammable material. Never confuse with PVC (which releases highly corrosive and toxic chlorine when lasered).
Availability and formats
Commercial formats: sheets 2–10mm, tubes, bars
Related materials
Sources
- Datasheet Evonik Plexiglas XT
- ISO 7823-2:2003 — Extruded PMMA sheets
Information on compatibility, processing parameters and safety is purely indicative. MakerSpecs accepts no liability for damage to persons or property arising from the use of this data. Always check the safety rules and the manufacturer's official manuals before carrying out any processing.