Whether you’re a professional manufacturer or a DIY enthusiast exploring new creative avenues, acrylic plastic is an undeniably valuable material. Its versatility, clarity, and ease of use make it suitable for a wide range of projects, from sleek signage to intricate artwork. In this guide, we’ll delve into essential acrylic plastic safety tips to equip you with the knowledge and precautions necessary to work with this material.
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Acrylic plastic, like many materials, has the potential to be harmful if not handled appropriately and with care. Though non-toxic at room temperature, acrylic transitions from a solid to a gaseous state when it reaches its melting point of 130-140°C. So, when engraving, cutting, or otherwise manipulating acrylic via lasers and other heat sources, it’s important to be cautious of the vapor, dust, and fumes that are emitted in the process. Here are some acrylic plastic safety tips to take into consideration in an effort to mitigate risk.
Personal protective equipment (PPE) is essential when working with acrylic. Wearing safety goggles protects your eyes from dust and flying debris, and slipping on gloves shields your hands from cuts and abrasions. Additionally, consider wearing a mask to prevent inhalation of fine acrylic particles and toxic gasses. A face shield covers a larger surface area and can be layered over both goggles and a mask to create a safe barrier.
Adequate ventilation is crucial when working with acrylic. Whether cutting, sanding, or heating the material, ensure that your workspace allows plenty of airflow to prevent the buildup of fumes and dust. Consider working outdoors or using a ventilation or fume-extraction system to maintain a healthy work environment. Make sure the doors and windows are never shut, even in the winter, and avoid using the air conditioner.
Acrylic may be durable, but it can still be fragile. Handle sheets and pieces with care to avoid chipping, cracking, or breaking. When transporting acrylic, use proper supports and padding to prevent damage during transit.
Using the correct tools can make a significant difference in safety and efficiency when working with acrylic. Opt for tools specifically designed for acrylic fabrication, such as acrylic scoring knives, circular saws with carbide-tipped blades, and slow-speed drill bits that cut holes without cracking or melting the material. Avoid using tools intended for other materials, as they may cause damage or produce inferior results.
Proper storage and maintenance are essential for prolonging the lifespan of your acrylic materials. Store sheets vertically to prevent warping and distortion, and avoid exposing acrylic to extreme temperatures or direct sunlight for extended periods. Regularly clean acrylic surfaces with mild soap and water to remove dust, dirt, and debris.
Proper disposal of acrylic waste is essential for environmental safety. Dispose of scraps, offcuts, and unused materials in accordance with local regulations. Consider recycling acrylic waste whenever possible to reduce environmental impact.
Maintaining a clean and clutter-free work area is an important factor of acrylic plastic safety. Clearing away debris, scraps, and unused tools helps to prevent tripping hazards and reduces the risk of accidents. Keeping surfaces clean and organized also promotes better visibility and control, allowing you to focus on your work and minimize the likelihood of mishaps.
When heating acrylic for bending or shaping, it’s crucial to monitor the temperature carefully to avoid overheating. Excessive heat can cause the acrylic to soften too much, leading to deformation or bubbling. Use a thermometer to gauge the temperature and apply heat evenly to prevent localized overheating.
When polishing acrylic surfaces, apply gentle pressure to avoid causing scratches or distortion. Excessive pressure can lead to uneven polishing and damage to the material’s clarity. Instead, use light, circular motions with a soft cloth or polishing pad to achieve a smooth finish without compromising the integrity of the acrylic.
Acrylic is prone to static electricity buildup, which can attract dust and debris during handling and fabrication. To minimize static electricity, work in a low-humidity environment and use anti-static products or treatments on surfaces and tools. Additionally, periodically discharge static electricity by grounding yourself or using an ionizer to prevent interference with your work and maintain cleanliness.
Ready to embark on your next acrylic project? Explore a wide range of acrylic options at Acme Plastics. Whether you’re looking for clear sheets for displays and signage or colored acrylic for creative projects, Acme has you covered. With high-quality materials and expert advice, Acme makes it easy to bring your ideas to life safely and effectively.
No. The PVC material in itself is inert and therefore not dangerous nor toxic. If permitted additives are added, there is no risk whatsoever in using PVC products. In the EU, the REACH regulation of chemicals ensures that the substances used in PVC are safe. Modern PVC building products that are recycled after many years of use are also safe and non-toxic.
When people often associate PVC with toxicity it is often related to unwanted phthalate plasticisers in soft PVC consumer products manufactured outside of the EU. Due to different regulations these products may still contain unwanted phthalates.
From , EU countries have agreed to completely stop imports into the EU products with unwanted phthalates.
Years ago, PVC was rightfully linked to dioxin pollution. Both related to the production of the raw material and when PVC waste was incinerated. Now the issue is quite different. The history of PVC and dioxin is, in fact, an example of a positive environmental development, where efforts by both authorities and industry have received great results. Today, dioxin emissions from PVC production in the EU are negligible. PVC production today accounts for about 0.1% of the total emissions from industry, which has fallen by 99% in recent decades. In the case of industrial production, the steel and cement industry is now responsible for the highest emissions of dioxins to the environment.
Primo is working with Polyolefin as a replacement for PVC with phthalates in medical tubings.
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Yes, PCV is a thermoplastic, meaning that it will become pliable or moldable at high temperatures. Thermoplastics can be heated and cooled multiple times without losing its strength and properties. The disadvantage is, of course, that PVC loses its stability in hot conditions and should not be used in environments where the temperature is higher than 70 °C. Heat stabilisers can be used to raise the melting point of PVC, or other materials such as thermoset plastics can be used instead. Thermoset plastics such as silicon and rubber are more heat resistant.
Learn more about the different types of plastic and their properties here.
Yes! PVC can be produced in any color, and you can also paint it subsequently. The biggest challenge is re-painting soft PVC profiles like bumpers for boats, and all kinds of sealings as the painting might crack when the profiles are bend. Painting solid PVC is pretty much as painting wood surfaces. The PVC surface should be cleaned and sanded before applying the paint. Paint and PVC will not go into chemical bonding with each other.
Yes! PVC is a thermoplastic, meaning that it will melt at a specific temperature and solidify again when cooled. At temperatures of more than 70 °C. PVC will start losing properties. The melting point of PVC ranges from 100 °C to 260 °C, depending on the additives in the PVC. Pure PVC will self-ignite at 450 °C, while wood self-ignites at about 300 °C and paper at 230 °C. For more information about heat resistance in plastic for special purposes such as lighting appliances and electric systems, please contact our specialists.
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Biodegradable plastic is a plastic-type that can be completely decomposed by living organisms. While PVC can not be biodegraded other types can. Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) are biodegradable plastic made by microorganisms. Polylactic acid (PLA) and other types are made from starch, such as corn, sugarcane or sugar beets. Similar properties can be found in cellulose-based plastics. A common misconception is that fossil-based plastic types are not biodegradable. This is not true. Some petroleum-based plastics made from crude oil, coal, or natural gas can be biodegraded. This goes for:
Learn more about how Primo develops new biodegradable plastic materials for the medico industry.
It is disputed what biodegradable means. Over the span of time, every material will, at some point, be dissolved into its original ingredients, meaning that every kind of plastic can be said to be degradable. What consumers, environmentalists and most of the industry mean with the word is that biodegradable plastic should be easily compostable along with, for example, household waste.
For further information about biodegradable plastic see the excellent Wikipedia article about the subject here:
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Yes! Most plastics can be recycled in one way or the other. Typically, used plastic is ground into small bits and remolded to new products over and over again. Biodegradable plastics are not recycled but instead decomposed. A group of plastics, Thermosets, will lose their properties when heated and can not be used again for the original purpose. Rubber, which chemically is a thermoset plastic, is an example of a plastic compound that can not be recycled. However, even thermosets can be ground and used as fillers for other plastic products where the original properties are not necessary.
A common problem when recycling plastic is that many types of plastic are mixed when thrown away as waste. Mixed plastic is tough to re-use since the properties of the batch of waste are unknown. The plastic industry is interested in recycling since it lowers the cost of production, and it meets a need of the customers. Learn more about how Primo develops recyclable alternatives to unrecyclable standard products for the building industry.
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Yes! Traditionally plastic has been made from petrochemicals such as natural gas and crude oil, and this is still the most used method. But plastic can be made from many different raw materials. For instance, plastic can be produced from organic material such as starch, which can be derived from a number of sources, including wood and vegetable waste.
Bio-based plastics play a central role in climate reduction. What is special about PVC plastic is that more than half of the raw material is salt, which is an inexhaustible resource. The remainder, which today is produced from oil or gas, can eventually be replaced by a bio-based raw material resulting in a 90% decrease in CO2. Two major producers of PVC raw materials have just presented bio-based PVC. In Sweden, a collaboration between the PVC industry and other plastic industries, universities, and governmental entities is researching whether lumber remnants can be transformed into plastics raw material.
There is a lot of controversy about the use of land for plastic production. Currently, only 0.02 percent of agricultural land is used to supply bio-plastic, but with the rising interest and demand, the percentage of land use is expected to rise.
If the bioplastic industry expands into more agricultural land, some worry it will take over land that is needed to feed the world population. It is therefore crucial that bio-plastic is made from waste products.
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Yes! Bio-plastics, or bio-based polymers, is gaining ground in the market. In contrast to traditional plastic, the feedstock is derived from plants or other renewable sources. Bio-based plastic has the same properties as traditional plastic, which ensures a long service life.
Bio-degradable plastic is also made from renewable feedstock. The difference between bio-based and bio-degradable plastic is that the latter can be composted. Bio-degradable plastic is primarily used for disposable products such as packaging peanuts, straws, pots and bowls, cutlery, teabags, bottles, diapers, and crockery. It must be stressed that bio-degradable does not necessarily mean the product can be thrown into your backyard compost heap. Most bio-degradable plastic has to go to a commercial composting plant to be decomposed.
PVC and other thermoplastics can all be recycled. They can be melted and reshaped into new forms. Recycling thermoplastic polymers is an important property and has been in use since the beginning of the plastic industry. Thermoset polymers can not be recycled. Thermosets are polymers such as rubber, fiberglass, and silicone, and in the production process, they are irreversibly hardened and will lose their chemical properties when re-heated. Thermosets can be re-used for other purposes, but used rubber tires can not be made into new tires.
Thermoplastics can be recycled and used again for their original purpose. The process is, in general simple, but is often complicated by additives in the plastic and if more than one type of plastic is mixed together. Recycled plastic from a mix of unknown plastic types has unreliable properties, and it is challenging to produce new quality products from. The plastic industry is working on recycling programs where known plastic types are returned to the plant and on procedures for using mixed recycled plastic of low quality for areas where colour and structural resilience is not that important.
As a rule of thumb, all hard plastic types can be recycled. In the plastic industry, and among material scientists, the word polymers is used rather than plastic. Polymers cover a group of naturally occurring materials and synthetic from vinyl and PVC to silk and rubber. When it comes to recycling, in terms of using the material when disposed to build a new, similar product, we can only recycle the group of polymers called thermoplastics. They have the unique property that they keep their chemical structure intact even when melted and cooled again.
Among the thermoplastics we find:
Polymers that can not be recycled are for instance:
Plastic and rubber are both popular names for groups of polymers. Rubber can be divided into 3 groups. Nature rubber, typically harvested from the Amazonian rubber tree (Hevea brasiliensis), EPDM (ethylene propylene diene monomer rubber) - synthethic rubber often used for sealings and roof, and thermoplastic rubbers which often is a mix between different polymers.
Plastic is usually used for its thermoplastics properties and rubber for thermosets. Thermoplastics can be melted and reshaped again and again, while thermosets will lose its properties when melted. The advantage of thermosets is that they can tolerate higher temperatures than thermoplastics.
Rubber has the disadvantage that it will stiffen and be exposed to the risk of cracking at low temperatures.
Polythene is also called Polyethylene (PE) and is the most common type of plastic. Plastic is a generic term that covers a whole family of materials, and polythene is one of those. It is not so strange, however, that the terms plastic and polythene often get mixed up.
Polythene is a thermoplastic, and it is used for plastic bags, plastic pipes, medical devices, home appliances, plastic containers, and bottles and much, much more.
Polyethylene is not considered biodegradable, but it can, since it is a thermoplastic, be remolded and recycled many times. Newer research shows that certain types of bacteria and animals can digest polyethylene.
At Primo, we extrude a whole range of different materials in the plastic-family; read more about their individual characteristics and properties here:
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Most metals conduct heat – or cold! – quite well, while materials like plastic or wood are better insulators, as they keep cold things from warming up and vice versa.
There are materials better suited for the insulation of entire buildings than plastic. That goes for glass or stone wool, for instance, as they are cheaper and have a comparatively high R-value.
But the heat insulation properties of plastic are interesting when considering the choice of material of frames for windows and doors. For these purposes, a plastic profile has better insulation-properties than wood or – especially – metal, which helps prevent cold "bridges" and build-up of condensation.
Furthermore, plastic is a hygienic material; it is exceptionally durable and does not – as a general rule – require maintenance.
Read more about plastic profiles for doors and windows here
Plastic and metal have different properties. You would not build an oven with plastic, and you would not build a toothbrush with metal.
In general, plastic is lighter, more comfortable to form, because of a lower melting point, and cheaper to produce than metal. Other differences are that metals are electrically conductive and structurally more durable than plastic, while plastic is more flexible than metal. In some areas, plastic and metal compete. For instance, newer types of plastic are so strong that they are suggested as material for building construction. Also, in shipbuilding, fiberglass plastic is popular when designing smaller boats, while larger vessels tend to be built with metal.
Material development is an important area in the plastic industry, and new compounds and applications are explored every day. For instance, sectors such as medico, aerospace, and automotive are developing new, greener, and better products based on polymers.
Learn more about how ideas become products in the plastic industry here
Aluminium and plastic share a number of properties. Both are lightweight, plastic being the lightest, and both can be extruded and recycled. This means that engineers often have to choose between plastic and aluminium when designing new products.
The significant difference is that aluminium is a metal, while plastics are made of organic molecules. Plastic is nonconductive, while aluminium conducts electricity.
Aluminium is stronger than plastic and is widely used where structural strength is essential. A good example is the use of aluminium for frames in some luxury cars, planes, and trains.
Plastic can be enforced with materials to make it stronger, but not as strong as aluminium. Another important consideration when choosing between plastic and aluminium is that plastic is much cheaper to produce and less energy-consuming than aluminium.
It depends on many factors. Plastic and word compete in many areas, and plastic is often the cheaper and even more environmentally friendly choice. When looking at the entire product life cycle of both plastic and wood, many plastic types have the advantage over wood that they are chemically persistent. This means that plastic can be remolded after use into a new product, while wood decomposes. While in use, plastic is basically maintenance-free, while wood, depending on what sort it is and the conditions it is used in, needs care to remain stable.
Wood production requires deforestation and energy consuming after treatment, such as cutting and transportation.
In some areas, plastic is definitely better on most parameters. Plastic windows and doors, for instance, are more reliable, cheaper, and have better structural stability. Furthermore, they are resistant to changes in temperature; they are waterproof and will not rot.
Wood, however, has appealing aesthetic properties that plastic cannot compete with.
Yes! We can manufacture a wide array of profiles and assist in developing practically any type of plastic profile for your product.
Our specialists and project managers work closely with our customers from the beginning of your project to the final delivery. We support your project with the latest in materials science, production technology, market knowledge, and plastic engineering expertise. This ensures a final plastic profile that is technologically and commercially sound and suited to your needs.
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