Comparison of Materials

This is a follow up blog post to a recent quick video we posted on our Incudo Precision YouTube Channel which you can see at the bottom of the page. The video was a brief comparison of the various plastic materials we offer - their characteristics, recommended uses, how to machine them and more. For a more comprehensive reference please see the below table. If you have any questions or think we missed something please don't hesitate to Contact Us and one of the team will get back to you.


If you see an * next to a specification it means that that spec is available in certain styles of that material only.

Acrylic

Celluloid Laminate Acrylic

Celluloid

Cellulose Acetate

PVC

Casein

Proper name

PMMA

Polymethyl Methacrylate

PMMA with Cellulose Nitrate lamination

Cellulose Nitrate

Cellulose Acetate

Polyvinyl Chloride

Casein

Also known as

Plexiglass®

Perspex®

Lucite®

Acetate

Galalith

Smallest sheet size

150x125mm

Custom cutting available

150x125mm

Custom cutting available

200x100mm

Custom cutting available

168x84mm

Custom cutting available

430x290mm

200x125mm

Custom cutting available

Largest sheet size

1000x600mm

1000x600mm

1600x700mm

0.5mm thickness

700x168mm

430x290mm

500x400mm

Thicknesses

3mm

Some styles available in other thicknesses as special order

3mm

0.17mm*

0.5mm

0.75mm*

1mm*

1.2mm*

1.5mm*

2mm*

4mm

6mm

8mm

10mm

20mm

0.5mm*

2.5mm*

3mm*

4mm

6mm*

10mm*

Can we cut it for you?

We have full Laser and CNC Milling facilities so can cut most sheets to your size or design.

Only 2.5mm sheets

Suitable for indoor use?

Can it be laser cut?

Settings vary by machine - experiment

Most styles cut beautifully

Monitor glitter sheets closely as these are most prone to igniting

Treat the same as acrylic; lighter colours usually require some cleaning

Avoid too much heat, leave space between individual components

We recommend tumbling/polishing after cutting

Definitely not - gives off chlorine gas which will rot humans and machine

Fine to cut, does smell a bit like burnt hair

Can it be saw cut?

Includes circular, band, scroll, and coping

Avoid excessive heat generation. Always clear and dispose of swarf.

What is the surface finish?

Gloss with protective film

Gloss with protective film

Gloss but no film, so may need polishing after machining

Rough surface texture - requires polishing

Gloss with protective film

Rough surface texture - requires polishing

What applications is it suitable for?

Most, including:

Jewellery

Fashion accessories

Shelving

Backlighting

Light shades

Wall panels

Bathroom panels

Splashbacks

Most, including:

Jewellery

Shelving

Wall panels

Bathroom panels

Splashbacks

Specialist, such as:

Guitar picks

Guitar pickguards

Antique restoration

Fashion accessories

Handbag fittings

Eyewear

Hair clips

Earphones/monitors

Guitar pickguards

Specialist, such as:

Fashion accessories

Jewellery

Fine crafts

Antique restoration

What applications is it NOT suitable for?

Use your own judgement and professional advice on this one

Anything near sources of heat, such as light fittings

Most modern applications including fashion accessories, clothing, interiors, and anything where it may come into contact with heat

It's a stable and easy to machine material, its main limiting factor being the production size

Anything other than guitar pickguards

Anything where it might come in to contact with liquids or solvents

Is it recyclable?

This is a specialist service, please contact us for details.

This is a specialist service, please contact us for details.

Is it biodegradable?

~12 years in natural environment

Can be home and industrially composted

Biodegradable and compostable, and has no significant aquatic toxicity

Can it be used for light fittings?

Can it be backlit?

Is it recyclable?

Is it biodegradeable?

Is it flammable?

What patterns and colours are available?

Vast selection including:

Opaque

Transparent

Pearl

Pearloid

Tortoiseshell

Glitter

Mirror

...more!

More complex patterns than standard acrylic, including:
Confetti
Tortoiseshell
Crackle

Pearloid

Tortoiseshell

Confetti

Camo

Pearloid

Tortoiseshell

Pearloid

Tortoiseshell

Solid Colours

Mirror

Tortoiseshell

Ivory

Abstract patterns