Application
After many dishwashing cycles, moldings made from PLEXIGLAS® standard molding compound may show very fine crazes. Grades PLEXIGLAS® zk30, zk40 and zk50 are certified as being dishwasher-proof.
This is a mechanical or chemical attack on the material surface. Such damage can only be removed by mechanical grinding and polishing. In many cases, it makes sense to replace the component.
How can stress cracking of PLEXIGLAS® be avoided?Owing to the manufacturing process (e.g. rapid cooling), the moldings may contain high internal stress levels. Fastening methods unsuitable for the material (e.g. pointwise fastening) may also provoke higher stress levels in the moldings (mechanical stress).
When exposed to a corrosive medium (e.g. cleaning agents, screening inks, solvent vapors), these components may show stress cracking. Parts should therefore be produced so as to contain low stress levels (by means of higher mold temperatures, slower cooling, higher demolding temperatures) or subsequent annealing, and should if possible be fastened over large surface areas. Moreover, any cleaning agents used should be compatible with PLEXIGLAS®.
Prior to surface treatment, we recommend cleaning the part by blowing it down with ionized air or washing with a cloth made of glove-lining fabric and warm water to which some dishwashing liquid or ANTISTATISCHER KUNSTSTOFF-REINIGER UND -PFLEGER from Burnus has been added.
Minor scratches can be polished away with "Acrylglas-Polier & Repair Paste" (AGP) from Burnus. Deep scratches must first be ground with coarse wet abrasive paper, then with ever finer grit sizes (up to 1000) until the scratches are only slight. Then polish with AGP, which is available from autorized distributors of PLEXIGLAS®. Mechanical polishing with a buffing wheel and wax is also possible.
Like many plastics, PLEXIGLAS® is a typical non-conductive material with good insulation properties, i.e. it has high surface and volume resistivity. Its surface may therefore become electrostatically charged after mechanical cleaning by rubbing with solid objects. Prior to surface treatment, we recommend cleaning the material by blowing it down with ionized air or washing with warm water and dishwashing liquid, or wiping with "ANTISTATISCHER KUNSTSTOFF-REINIGER UND -PFLEGER" from Burnus.
Crystal-clear PLEXIGLAS® standard molding compounds show excellent resistance to aging and weathering, including natural UV radiation. This means the material does not turn yellow or become brittle, even after many years of outdoor exposure in various climates all over the world. PLEXIGLAS® retains its superior optical and mechanical properties for many years.
Crystal-clear PLEXIGLAS® standard molding compounds show excellent resistance to aging and weathering, including natural UV radiation. Therefore they do not turn yellow or become brittle even after many years of outdoor exposure to various climates around the world.PLEXIGLAS® retains its superior optical and mechanical properties for many years.
PLEXIGLAS® is generally characterized by good chemical resistance. Molded parts made from PLEXIGLAS® are resistant to most inorganic chemicals, aliphatic hydrocarbons, cycloaliphatic compounds, fats and oils at room temperature, and also to diluted acids and concentrated solutions of most alkalis at temperatures up to 60 degrees Celsius. By contrast, PLEXIGLAS® is attacked by chlorinated hydrocarbons, ketones, esters, ethers, alcohols and aromatic compounds. In case of doubt, tests should be performed or our Technical Service contacted.
Moldings made from PLEXIGLAS® standard molding compound show the greatest surface hardness and thus the best abrasion resistance of all thermoplastics. The high gloss is therefore retained even after prolonged utilization. Impact-modified PLEXIGLAS® Resist molding compounds show somewhat lower abrasion resistance. The attached pdf file states the test methods for abrasion resistance and the values measured for individual grades.