Acrylics in construction
The term ‘acrylic’ refers to chemicals that contain the acryloyl group, derived from acrylic acid, such as polyacrylonitrile and poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA).
Acrylics generally have good optical clarity, scratch resistance, dimensional stability and rigidity. They do not deteriorate in sunlight and they have good adhesion, are thermoplastic, easy to form and easy to cut. However, they are combustible, are not flexible, suffer from stress cracking and are not resistant to solvents.
Acrylics have a very wide range of uses in the construction industry:
- Transparent or translucent sheeting such as acrylic glass (‘Plexiglass’ or ‘Perspex’).
- Opaque cladding and panel materials.
- Paints.
- Resins, sealants, adhesives and adhesive tapes
- Flashing materials.
- Concretes, mortars, renders and asphalt.
- Architectural fabrics.
- Baths, shower trays and sinks.
- Coatings for metals, concrete and masonry.
- Flooring and carpets.
- Worktops.
- Signage.
- Light fixtures.
- LCD screens.
- Furniture.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
- Adhesives.
- Cladding.
- Composites.
- ETFE.
- Expanded polystyrene.
- Fabric structures.
- Glass reinforced plastic GRP.
- India looks at using plastic instead of sand.
- Nylon.
- Paint.
- Plexiglass.
- Polycarbonate.
- Polyethylene.
- Polymers.
- Polyvinyl chloride.
- Rubber.
- Thermoplastic materials in buildings.
- Transparent insulation materials.
Featured articles and news
Industry Competence Steering Group restructure
ICSG transitions to the Industry Competence Committee (ICC) under the Building Safety Regulator (BSR).
Principal Contractor Competency Certification Scheme
CIOB PCCCS competence framework for Principal Contractors.
The CIAT Principal Designer register
Issues explained via a series of FAQs.
Conservation in the age of the fourth (digital) industrial revolution.
Shaping the future of heritage
Embracing the evolution of economic thinking.
Ministers to unleash biggest building boom in half a century
50 major infrastructure projects, 5 billion for housing and 1.5 million homes.
RIBA Principal Designer Practice Note published
With key descriptions, best practice examples and FAQs, with supporting template resources.
Electrical businesses brace for project delays in 2025
BEB survey reveals over half worried about impact of delays.
Accelerating the remediation of buildings with unsafe cladding in England
The government publishes its Remediation Acceleration Plan.
Airtightness in raised access plenum floors
New testing guidance from BSRIA out now.
Picking up the hard hat on site or not
Common factors preventing workers using head protection and how to solve them.
Building trust with customers through endorsed trades
Commitment to quality demonstrated through government endorsed scheme.
New guidance for preparing structural submissions for Gateways 2 and 3
Published by the The Institution of Structural Engineers.
CIOB launches global mental health survey
To address the silent mental health crisis in construction.
New categories in sustainability, health and safety, and emerging talent.
Key takeaways from the BSRIA Briefing 2024
Not just waiting for Net Zero, but driving it.