#perspexsheetcuttosize

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Maintaining and Restoring Acrylic Sheet

Acrylic is a transparent plastic used on a wide scale due to its ability to replace glass. It is usually available as acrylic cut to size that is converted into useful products such as sales displays, lenses, protective screens, roofing, windows, TV screen protectors, and many others.

But what makes products such as clear Perspex sheet cut to size the favourite of manufacturing businesses all over the world? The secret lies in the unique properties of this thermoplastic:

- Excellent optical clarity;

- Light transmission that is superior to the one of glass;

- Rigidity and good impact strength; if it breaks, acrylic forms dull pieces unlike glass which shatters into hundreds of sharp and dangerous little shards;

- Being easy to process and model due to excellent dimensional stability and low mould shrinkage;

- Can be sawed and cut using tools similar to those used for wood;

- Has a greater transparency than that of glass and will not present a greenish tint when moulded into thick sheets.

These properties make acrylic and its derived products, like Perspex sheet cut to size, suitable for a variety of uses and applications, such as:

- Furniture such as cabinets and coffee tables;

- Sporting equipment;

-  Aquariums;

-  Artistic sculpting;

-  Protection screens used in sports;

-  Sneeze screens that have become increasingly widely used since the Covid-19 pandemic to reduce the spread of the virus.

How to protect and prevent damage

Products and objects made from acrylic can last for years, even decades if you follow some simple protection rules in order to prevent damage, especially when working with acrylic in the creation of other products:

- When storing products such as acrylic sheet cut to size, it is recommended to protect them with polyethylene film overwrap to keep dirt and moisture away. Sheets must be stored vertically or in special racks leaning at an angle of approximately 10º. Plywood panels should be used to provide full support to the material. When acrylic sheets are stored horizontally, they must not be allowed to sag.

- Perspex sheets cut to size are usually delivered with sheet masking; this protection layer should be left on the product to protect the sheet surface. However, if you need to remove masking for detail work, bending, or thermoforming, store the unmasked sheets in the original shipping cartons and avoid unnecessary handling of unmasked sheet;

- Wear rubber gloves when handling acrylic and manipulate it by its edges;

- Neutralise static electricity which can form especially on new Perspex sheet cut to size; static electricity will attract dust, chips, and other small particles floating in the air and will ultimately contaminate the surface. Use an ionising air gun to temporarily eliminate static charges before any operations such as bending, painting, or thermoforming.

How to maintain and clean

The quality of a product comes out as high or low once you start using it.  High-quality Perspex cut to size will require little maintenance, but when you need to clean your acrylic products, it is important that you follow some simple rules to keep the surface intact and increase the lifespan:

- Start cleaning acrylic by dusting; this operation will remove particles that can scratch the acrylic if you start washing the material right away.  Use a soft, damp cloth to remove dust and avoid dry or gritty cloths that can create static electric charge and cause scratches.

- Wash acrylic sheets with a solution of mild soap or detergent and lukewarm water. Apply light pressure using a clean, soft cloth.

- If you need to remove oil, grease, or tar, use solutions such as kerosene, hexane, or aliphatic naphtha;

- Never use the following solutions on your acrylic objects: window cleaning sprays, acetone, gasoline, benzene, lacquer thinner, alcohol, benzene, or carbon tetrachloride. These can damage the surface of the acrylic sheet or weaken the sheet by causing small surface cracks.

How to repair or restore damaged/scratched acrylic

If your Perspex or acrylic surfaces are looking a little worn make sure you are paying attention. Follow these 4 simple points to learn how to improve the look of your acrylic surfaces, acrylic sheets or other acrylic products (also commonly known as Plexiglass or Perspex):

1. Make sure the plastic really is acrylic

A clear plastic may not always be made from acrylic; instead it might be a polycarbonate. If the plastic is polycarbonate, it is will no longer possible to remove the scratches.

2. Remove light scratches from acrylic

You will need acrylic polish, preferably specialist acrylic scratch remover that is designed for industrial use, and grit sandpaper, 800 and 1200 grit. Wet the 800-grit sandpaper and run it over the scratch in a circular motion. Repeat with dry grit paper, and alternate between wet and dry sandpaper. It is normal for your acrylic at this stage to look frosty and to display little scratch marks on it.  Next move onto 1200 grit sandpaper and keep rubbing until all scratches have been removed. Finally, dry the area with a soft, dry cotton cloth and apply acrylic polish. The acrylic will look as if it has never been scratched.

3. Remove deeper scratches

Deeper scratches can require a little more effort to remove, but you can still restore your acrylic sheet to an optimal condition. The method is similar to the previous one, with the difference that you need to start with 600 grit sandpaper and afterwards continue with the same process as described above.

4. Polish acrylic to restore its glossy look

Flame polishing is a great way of obtaining the smooth, glossy edges that we all like to see in acrylic cut to size. In order to complete this process, you will need a hydrogen-oxygen torch with a number 4 or 5 tip. Guide the flame over the acrylic edges, but do this very carefully as moving too slowly or too closely to the acrylic will damage it and bubbles will begin to appear in the plastic sheet. Overheating the acrylic can also make it melt, and going too fast can produce a matte aspect from the edges.

Looking for high quality acrylic cut to size? Contact Plastic Online today for a full turn-key service from design to manufacture.

Plastic Online is more than just your average plastic fabrication company – what makes us different is that we produce your plastic from scratch right here on the Gold Coast. We are a privately-owned business operating from our state-of-the-art facilities on the Gold Coast. Plastic Online started in 1991 and we now operate two manufacturing plants and retail sales facilities, one in Burleigh and one in Ashmore.

What makes us different from other plastic fabrication companies?

High-quality products

Reliable customer service

Taking pride in workmanship

Our local Gold Coast business success story (winner of GC Bus Excellence Awards)

A family-owned business that is passionate about everything we do

20+ years’ experience in fabrication and vacuum forming of plastics

Innovative manufacturing facilities

Our advanced cutting technologies to cut, engrave, and form many different materials into various shapes and component products

Wide range of product applications, such as signage, bus and automotive components -to name but just a few.

For your acrylic cut to size needs, including clear Perspex sheet cut to size, contact us today through our website or call us on 0755357444 (Burleigh) / 0755646744 (Ashmore)

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Why use Clear Perspex Sheet cut to size for Protective Screens

Nearly every supermarket at the moment is equipped with clear Perspex screens as a result of the Covid crisis. A sneeze screen positioned in front of a cash register or counter acts as a barrier to those airborne droplets and protects cashiers, pharmacists and receptionists, amongst others. Protection through screens reduces contamination risks from sneezing and coughing and these screens will be a common presence in the months to follow in supermarkets, cafes, and other areas where the public is served or people work together.

Safety measures will very likely be in place for some time after the lockdown is lifted, throughout the winter and even longer. This will make clear Perspex sheet cut to size a must for a variety of businesses, with the possibility of coming up with extra screens to separate customers using self-check-outs. If you are a business where staff interacts with clients on a daily basis, here are some reasons why you need to install Perspex cut to size screens at your office or store:

Reducing queues outside stores

Retailers have observed that queues outside their stores turn customers away; people tend to drive off or leave when they see a long queue outside. As winter approaches, ensuring safety conditions inside is even more important because customers will hate waiting outside in the cold to be able to get inside a supermarket or a pharmacy.

Perspex is easy to clean and maintain

Perspex screens are made of solid transparent plastic or polymethyl methacrylate, also commonly called acrylic. Perspex is a premium branded acrylic manufactured at the highest industry standards, which makes it more durable and resilient.

Perspex can be used for a period of up to 20 years when maintained properly without losing its properties or getting a yellow tint. In order to enjoy its properties and use it to its maximum potential, you need to clean it with soapy water or dedicated cleaning products while avoiding solutions containing ammonia, alcohol, or acids. A few tips and tricks on how to care for Perspex screens include blowing off larger dirt particles before cleaning the screen with a suitable solution, using a microfiber cloth for washing, and wiping screens until they are completely dry to prevent water marks.

Perspex is stronger than glass

Perspex has superior qualities compared to glass and is preferred to traditional materials in a variety of applications due to the following properties:

-  Clear Perspex sheet cut to size is up to 20 times more resistant to impact than glass;

-   It has a tensile strength of more than  10,000 lbs per square inch;

-   If Perspex breaks, it doesn’t shatter and it breaks off in large pieces with dull edges;

-  It is more flexible than glass and it supports more pressure when installed in large sheets; this makes it ideal for shower doors, windows, ball field enclosures, and hockey rinks.

Lightweight

Perspex is half the weight of glass, so it is easier to transport and install. It is so lightweight that similar materials are used to make artificial nails, dentures, and microspheres that are injected under the skin for cosmetic surgery.

Safe

Perspex does not release any of its ingredients into the environment and can be safely used as a counter attachment in grocery stores, catering, bakeries, etc.

Why does acrylic sheet protect against coronavirus?

Perspex cut to size screens are necessary where customers do not have the possibility to wash their hands immediately and employees come in contact with other people very frequently. Such transparent protective screens prevent the potentially infectious droplets from cough and sneeze as long as they are provided in custom size to cover the required area effectively. Screens make it possible to avoid contact with other people without maintaining a distance (which is not practical most times). Communication with customers is not affected and objects can be exchanged through the integrated shelf.

Perspex cut to size is practical because it eliminates the need for using a face visor and a mask. Both need replacing multiple times each day or to be adequately clean to ensure protection. Installing Perspex actually helps you save money and produce less waste by eliminating face visors and masks.

Perspex that has been tested in medical technology is particularly suitable for protection against the coronavirus because it can withstand sterilization, with the best materials withstanding more than 1000 sterilization processes. It is a reusable virus-free solution that protects human health and the environment.

Although cleaning Perspex requires some amount of attention (not cleaning it when dry or using rough cloth), it is very easy to disinfect. Bacteria and viruses can be removed from its surface using a soft cloth and isopropanol, an agent approved as hand disinfectant against Covid-19.

When acquiring Perspex screens for your business it is vital that you choose a provider that can offer custom clear Perspex sheet cut to size so you can install it as soon as it is delivered. Some manufacturers provide Perspex with a modular design, which means that multiple partitions can be connected together to cover longer counters. Customized designs can be optimised for specific locations as precise measurement are important when you need to provide sneeze protection in crowded spaces such as supermarkets.

Creating Covid-secure workplaces

Installing Perspex cut to size at your business is vital if you want to survive the aftermath of the Covid crisis and continue your activity without problems. Recently updated guidelines around workplace safety all around the world are implemented in order to allow people to go back to work in safety. Perspex sneeze guards and protection screens are part of Covid-secure workplaces and their use is included in official government guidelines. Perspex screens can actually help you maintain your business almost like it was before the pandemic, for both your employees and customers. Aside from preventing the spread of viruses, these screens come with other benefits, such as acoustic control. Open plan workspaces tend to be excessively noisy, which can cause problems with concentration, productivity, and well-being. Blocking some of the background noise is a positive side effect of these screens.  

Flexibility

Perspex is extremely versatile as it can be moulded in virtually any shape without losing its properties. All types of screens can be created from it, including free-standing screens which can be moved around the workspace to suit any task and requirement, even if it’s an unexpected meeting. The various solutions provided with the aid of Perspex will continue to be useful even after the Covid crisis is over because this virus is not the only pathogen to worry about. Even the common cold can have a significant impact on productivity and taking precautionary measures will become more important in the future. Using Perspex shows you are a business that cares about its employees and customers, which is the best way to ensure your success.

For reliable and professional plastic and clear Perspex sheet cut to size, visit Plastic Online Australia, a family-owned business specialised in plastic products and accessories. We produce plastic and Perspex right from scratch here in Australia on the Gold Coast and we can cater to all requirements. Contact us today for your new Perspex cut to size sheets that will ensure the safety of your business!

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The Ultimate Guide to Acrylic Plastic Products!

Acrylic, also referred to as Plexiglas, is a common yet the oldest synthetic material which can replace glass windows, glass frames and even the glass used for drinking purposes. Over the years, the use of the acrylic sheets has become frequent and now has several applications. In addition, many industries offer acrylic sheets cut-to-size and colored acrylic. It is almost identical to Perspex, which is a premium version of acrylic sheets. Its characteristics comprise extreme strength, stiffness, and optical clarity. Its property of being as clear as glass makes it the best surrogate for glass. It is nearly indistinguishable from the regular glass and its characteristic of being stronger than it makes the glass material lag behind. It is also not as fragile as glass, it does not break easily, and it is safer to cut and makes a number of things easy that used to be a little difficult in the presence of glass. Acrylic sheets have numerous advantages; we will be discussing a few of them below:

·        Easy To Fabricate and Mold:

Acrylic fabrication has contributed a lot when it comes to technology and industries. Basically, acrylic fabrication is a process of renovating the previous form of acrylic into something new like a table, a chair or letters for signage. The process requires a special type of tool to initiate the process. This is where laser cutting comes into action. The aforementioned letters for signage are the example of laser cut acrylic, the letter or design required need to be cut in a specific shape which requires the work of laser cutting. A cost-effective way of molding acrylic into different form is by heating it and pouring it into the mold of the shape to be taken, once it cools down it can be drilled, hammered and sawed just like the wood. Furthermore, Plexiglass Sheets Cut-to-Size are also available in many areas which are obtained with the help of the above process.

·        Lighter Than Glass:

Another advantage of the acrylic is that it weighs half of what the glass weighs but is still much and stronger than the glass. Its lightweight opens doors to many other uses. The acrylic can resist many forms of weather that glass or wood cannot do. Under high impact, it has the ability to resist the force or shock but even if it breaks, it gets split into big and blunt pieces, this contributes to the safety property of the acrylic sheet. If the acrylic is fabricated in the cast or extruded form, it remains cheap and a 100 times more shock resistant than glass. The density of glass is two times the density of Plexiglass. The plexiglass sheet cut-to-size weigh a lot less than glass sheets.

·        Stronger Than Glass:

Aforementioned, we know that the primal qualities of acrylic are its strength, clarity, and stiffness. Acrylic is a hundred times better and stronger than the glass, it can resist stroke up to 10-20 times. Additionally, it is lightweight and has a high caliber of impact resistance. Under high impact, it has the ability to resist the force or shock but even if it breaks, it gets split into big and blunt pieces, this contributes to the safety property of the acrylic sheet. Acrylic is rigid and has 10 times the impact resistance of glass. Many industries also produce acrylic cut-to-size sheets.

·        Highly Transparent:

Acrylic, a synthetic fiber of polyacrylonitrile is a strong material that is almost identical to the plastic only better. Growing age doesn’t affect the health of any acrylic, thus avoiding the yellowness and maintaining transparency. This property might prove useful when acrylic is used in plane windows, greenhouses, skylights and storefront windows. Its durability is valued in a lot of places. It is used as food sneeze guards and grocery take-outs as well. It is defiant to ultraviolet rays and the manufacturers add an extra layer of acrylic for further protection.

·        Easy to Clean and Maintain:

Stuff made up of acrylic is usually windows, tables or something that need frequent cleaning. It is the only material that is so easy to maintain. Acrylic is a quite old synthetic material that has very common use in today’s world and is almost everywhere around us. It has done a lot of benefit to the world. It provides us ease in many ways which includes cleaning and maintaining it. It is always better to blot the acrylic stuff you are cleaning with a wet cloth and making sure that the cloth doesn’t have any particles or shingles before using it to clean as the particles can scratch the acrylic. It is always better to clean acrylic materials very slowly and gently. Using clothes that have a coarse surface will cause scratches rather than removing them. Avoidance of home glass cleaners will be great since they contain ammonia and can be harmful to the material. The easiest way to clean the entire surface area of acrylic stuff leaving them looking new and shiny is to use soapy water.

Pros of Acrylic:

·        Ultraviolet Resistance:

The acrylic or Perspex material is great for creating various products. The UV rays, that are harmful to almost any living or non-living thing, are resisted by the acrylic materials. Their heat resistance is up to 160 degrees which means that it cannot get ruined in the scorching heat and will refrain from getting turned into yellow color.

·        Reusable:

Acrylic, as well as the Perspex crockery and cutlery, is used in several households and restaurants due to the reason that they are durable, strong as compared to glass, and easy to clean. It is the property of reusing it that makes the restaurants and households very fond of it.

·        Eco-Friendly:

Aforementioned, acrylic or the Perspex material is very easy to reuse as it is a synthetic material. There are several ways in which they can be put to use, for instance, plates, spoons, tabletops, laser-cut acrylic, etc. That is why it is considered to be an eco-friendly choice.

·        Wide Variety of Colors:

Acrylic sheets are available in a wide range of colors and designs. Acrylic sheets are of use in many fields, be it art and craft or industrial. You can find a wide range of colors and designs available in many vicinities so that you can choose a color or prefer a clear acrylic sheet according to your needs. Industries also offer Perspex sheet cut-to-size which is basically acrylic or Perspex cut to the desired size you wish or is required. Perspex cut to size has great importance when one wants something to cut to size according to their specifications.

·        Cost Effective:

The great substitute for glass, acrylic, is cost-effective due to the reason that its production is cheap and is easy to purchase.

Plastic Online, Services and Products:

Plastic Online is the best you can ever think of when you want quality fabricated plastic. Plastic Online is a reliable and professional fabrication company that provides a wide range of plastic cut to size products as follow:

1. Acrylic (Perspex or Plexiglass)

2. Polycarbonate

3. PETG

4. Polyethylene

5. Prismatic diffuser

6. Engineering plastic materials

And many more products can be cut, packed and delivered to you according to what you specify to them. They can also manufacture a product for your project according to your requirements. Their other products include Marine Plastics, Residential Plastic Products, storage tanks made from Plastics and so much more.