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polycarbonate acrylic perspex advice
hi – would someone be able to point out the differences in the different plastic sheet materials?
i am after a sheet material that is white, but translucent, and is bendable to a shape resembling a lazy ‘s’ or an easy chair
i have only used thicker acrylic before (flat) – which i have always thought is just another name for perspex – but this has always seemed quite brittle – and i’m guessing maybe (if anyone does it) 2mm would be very snap-able.
so maybe its polycarbonate i need?? -
8 Replies
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Polycarbonate is more flexible than acrylic but scratches very easily. I do not know if it comes in colours as I have only ever used clear for glazing.
Perspex is a trade name like Hoover. So Perspex is the same as acrylic.
Perspex will need to be heated first to bend it to shape if you want it to stay in that shape. If you try to bend it cold it may snap. -
I think you can buy a sheet plastic called ‘styrene’ which can be re-shaped by heat and is available in a translucent white.
Try this company http://www.stephen-webster.co.uk/amari/stephen-webster/
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thanks for the replies – here is what i need it for
a customer has asked me to fabricate one of these for him.
the problem is the sheet has to be able to be adjusted from horizontal to near 90º (with a curve as in pic)
so anything which needs heat to form it would not be suitable.
i am not convinced that even though its refered to as a perspex table – it is actually perspex??
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try these guys if it’s perspex fabrication work
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It’s a little bit difficult to tell from the picture but I’m not sure the acrylic would actually need bending.
If it was fixed either end and then clamped (assuming those things are clamped) on the flat I’m pretty sure 3mm would just flex to that shape
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if its just for a photographic back drop so the image can be isolated, then 2mm foamex should do the trick, maybe flood coated with mat vinyl to give a consistent finish
Peter
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I have 2mm styrene clear and it defiantly will NOT do that, it just shatters if you get too aggressive with it.
I would try thin polypropylene sheet, Amari do it and can also advise you as to what sort of curves it’ll bend round.
also the thin white will act a bit like Opel sheet letting some light through.
Steve
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You could use PET or PETg sheet for this purpose as it is much more resilient to shattering than acrylic. Its available from usual plastic sheet suppliers in thicknesses from around 1mm and up. I know you can get clear and white but not sure about opal. It has a slightly softer surface than acrylic so will scratch over time but this shouldnt be a problem for photography work as the lights will obscure the imperfections. If you want a matt surface then a flood coat of white vinyl will do the trick and on clear would give you a degree of translucency.
Not sure if you are in their area but NE Plastics at sidcup (very nice guys) can get this for you (0208 308 9990)
Colin
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