Are you familiar with the world of acrylic? Do you know the many types of acrylic and how they are used? The experts at Muniz are here to explain what each type is and want to ensure you have all the information you need. Also, if you are looking for the perfect acrylic coffee table, we have just what you need. California residents trust us!

Are You Ready To Purchase?

Are you thinking about buying acrylic and then have the question of cast or extruded pop up? What about choosing between paper and film? You may not even be familiar with these phases in the first place. We are here with our guide to help you decide which is the best one for your project.

Types of Acrylic

• Cast Acrylic
  • Cast acrylic is created when the acrylic liquid is pumped in between a mold of two pieces of glass and submerged in warm water. This manufacturing method allows for smaller batches than the extruded material. Therefore, most of the colored or textured acrylic that you see is probably cast acrylic.
  • When comparing cast and extruded material, cast acrylic is usually deemed the higher quality of the two even though they both have benefits over the other. Here are some benefits of cast over extruded:
    • Higher chemical resistance
    • Cleaner edges after being cut or machined
    • Can be produced in many different colors and thicknesses
• Extruded Acrylic
  • Extruded acrylic is created when the acrylic liquid is pushed through a form. The direction in which it is extruded can later affect fabrication. Check out these benefits:
    • More cost effective
    • Easier to flame polish
    • Lower thickness tolerance
  • In general, cast acrylic is recommended for fabrication projects. At Muniz we only use cast acrylic in order to create our custom designs. The uniformity of the sheet creates a better end result with machining, polishing, and gluing. If you are using the material with limited fabrication involved, like windows, extruded acrylic is a great option. It is more cost effective than cast acrylic and still has better clarity than glass. Here is a side by side comparison: Paper or Plastic?
  • Every sheet of acrylic comes with a protective film or paper covering it, and depending on your project, one option can be preferable over the other.
• Paper
  • Our fabrication department and customers prefer the paper backing when CNC machining or fabricating acrylic. The paper gives you the option to peel it back a few inches or remove the paper from different sections that you are working on while leaving the rest of the material protected against damage. If you are CNC machining, paper is a necessity as a film can become caught on the CNC machine and cause damage.
  • Here is a prime example of our fabrication department removing or peeling back the paper from areas they are flame polishing. The rest of the material stays covered and protected from damage.
• Film
  • Anyone that has ever had to peel the paper off several sheets of acrylic can attest to how much time it can take. Removing film is much easier and less time-consuming. This makes it a better option for people handling a large number of acrylic sheets that will be installed with minimal fabrication.
  • Do you have an upcoming acrylic project or have plastics questions? Reach out to one of our sales representatives. We will gladly answer any of your questions so you can be confident you get the right plastic for your project.

Contact Us Today About An Acrylic Coffee Table

Be sure to become familiar with the different types of acrylic. Since 1965, Muniz has designed and created high-quality Acrylic/Lucite products that continue to impress and satisfy the needs and wants of customers. With over 45 years of experience in producing and designing Acrylic products, you are sure to be pleased with your new Acrylic furniture, acrylic coffee table, or any other top of the line Acrylic pieces for years to come. Contact us today for more information, California!