Acrylic is a transparent thermoplastic with outstanding strength, stiffness, and optical clarity. Acrylic is easy to fabricate, bonds well with adhesives and solvents, and is easy to thermoform. Acrylic is often used as a lightweight or shatter-resistant alternative to glass, and is an economical alternative to polycarbonate when extreme strength is not necessary. Acrylic is often preferred because of its moderate properties, easy handling and processing, and low cost. It is available in rods, sheets, and tubes.

Acrylic resists yellowing and fading and offers superior dimensional stability. Acrylic is a strong and lightweight material with a density less than half that of glass. Acrylic also has good impact strength that is higher than both glass and polystyrene; however, acrylic’s impact strength is still significantly lower than polycarbonate.