Acrylic tubes find usage in a wide range of activities, including but not limited to retail display, architectural design, medical and laboratory instruments and equipment. Acquiring popularity due to lightweight, remarkable durability, and exceptional optical clarity, these tubes enjoy a great demand. Unfortunately, due to a lack of information, these tubes and their differing types, fabrication methods, and care routines often get neglected.
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Through this guide, we shall present an in-depth analysis of methods and proven strategies to satisfy customer needs. We will explore the fundamental properties of acrylic, detail its various applications, and differentiate between cast and extruded tubing. Additionally, we will cover practical and stringless selling methods, as well as standard dimensions of acrylic tubes to help make the choosing and caring process easier.
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What are Acrylic Tubes?
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Constructed from polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), which is defined as a non-crystallizable thermoplastic and is also transparent. Acrylic is widely known as Plexiglass or Lucite and serves as a remarkably versatile and lightweight material. It is also shatter-resistant, which makes it a good substitute for glass. These attributes, alongside the tube’s light weight and ease of production, in addition to moisture barriers, make the tube a desirable product.
Properties of Acrylic
Few materials can offer the unique combination of characteristics present in acrylic:
Optical clarity – acrylic with light transmittance up to 92% will always be clearer than glass, hence will offer ever better visual quality than glass.
Weather Resistance – Unlike most materials, acrylic can be used in the outdoors without significant yellowing or degradation due to the sun and other weathering conditions.
Impact Resistance – acrylic can be used in spaces where safety is of the utmost importance, considering the fact that it is more shatter-resistant and damage-resistant than glass.
Lightweight – Handling and transportation of acrylic is incredibly easy, considering the fact that it is half the weight of glass.
Thermal Insulation – Unlike glass ,which is a poor thermal insulator, acrylic will result in reduced energy expenditure in various architectural structures.
Chemical Resistance – Damage may be the result of some solvents, but most acrylics, diluted acids, and alkalis will be resistant.
Acrylic Tubing Applications
Acrylic Tubing offers many different services and can be used in many different sectors.
Point of sale displays – Most sculptures and products for displays in the retail sector are designed and made using acrylic due to the ever-lasting clarity and tough structure, which is ideal for such displays.
Lighting – Tubes made from acrylic in combination with other materials will come in handy in lighting for LEDs as a fixture, diffuser, and protective cover due to the high level of light transmittance.
Medical and Laboratory: The inert characteristics and transparency of the material are an advantage for scientific devices, test tubes, and medical apparatus.
Architecture and Design: In the design industry, tactile rods are used for decorative adjuncts, structural stages, and handrails.
Industrial Applications: These are incorporated in sight glasses, protective of delicate components and in fluid management systems.
Aquariums and Exhibits: The thick-walled acrylics are used in the construction of underwater tunnels and in big aquarium tanks.
Types of Acrylic Tubes
When it comes to the production of acrylic tubes, two methods are employed: casting and extruding. Each leads to specific results in texture and functionality.
Cast Acrylic Tubes
Cast acrylic tubes are highlights of poly-acrylic technology, where acrylic monomer is poured into a cylindrical polymer mold along with subsequent polymerization. This technique allows for the creation of refined materials of superior optical clarity and polymer stability, along with higher molecular weight advantages.
Benefits of Cast Acrylic
Unsurpassed optical clarity with no distortion.
A harder surface, and greater scratch resistance.
A wider range of colors, of finishes, and dimensions available.
Greater chemical resistance of acrylic resins as compared with extruded grades.
Extruded Acrylic Tubing
This is the portion of poly-acrylic technology that is economically beneficial for mass production. It involves the conversion of extruded heated acrylic to tubes of acrylic through the application of specific dies on polymerized acrylic pellets.
Benefits of Extruded Acrylic
More economically favorable in extreme mass production of standard sizes of tubing.
Improved flammability resistance at softer condensation.
Improved dimensional stability of the mass in the tubulated state.
Plexiglass Vs. Acrylic Tubes
Many people assume that the word “Plexiglas” is the same as “acrylic” and tend to use the words interchangeably. However, the distinction is very important to understand. Just as Kleenex is synonymous with tissue, Plexiglass is a brand name for flat sheets, acrylic rods and tubes. Every Plexiglass tube is acrylic, however, not every acrylic tube is Plexiglass. The essential component, PMMA, is the same, but other manufacturers may have proprietary formulas that produce a myriad of differences in quality or properties.
Dimensions and Specifications
When ordering acrylic tubing, you will need to specify several key dimensions to ensure it meets the requirements of your project.
Understanding Diameter and OD (Outer Diameter)
One of the most important dimensions for fittings as well as mounting hardware is the measurement, an outer diameter, which is the coverage of an outer edge of the tube across to the other outer edge of the tube.
Inner Diameter (ID) Explained
By tube, the measurement of the inner diameter is taken from one inner wall of the tube to the opposite inner wall of the tube. The wall of the tube can easily be estimated by subtracting the inner diameter from the outer diameter and dividing the entire result by half.
Standard Lengths: 6 ft and Above
Acrylic tubes can be sold as standard, and 6 feet (72 inches) is one of the most common lengths. However, these types of tubes can be manufactured in other custom lengths to suit the needs of specific projects, sometimes exceeding 12 feet. However, in order to reduce waste, it is most rewarding to order tubes from the supplier that have already been cut to the desired dimensions.
Manufacturing Process of Acrylic Tubes
The properties and quality of an acrylic tube are heavily influenced by its manufacturing process.
How Acrylic is Extruded
In an extrusion process, acrylic pellets are placed into a long, heated barrel, where a rotating screw is positioned. The frictional heat generated from the screw melts the pellets, which then form the acrylic into a continuous circular die, cooling and hardening the material. The output is cooled and cut into a rigid tube of a predetermined length, after which the entire automated system is set. This system is designed to mass-produce tubes of the same size, which enhances the efficiency of the facility.
Acrylic Tubes Casting Process
Monomer acrylic is poured into the cylinder-shaped mold alongside waiting catalysts. The entire entity is placed into a heated water bath or autoclave, and tube polymerized. The tube is then cooled and unclasped from the mold. Even with the tedious nature of this method, the contents of the tube possess less internal strain and better internal optical properties.
Maintaining Quality During Production
Both manufacturing procedures, regardless of their difference, have one thing in common. Quality control is a must. Well-known manufacturers scrutinize the tubes, checking for dimensional precision, optical clarity, surface level, imperfections, internal, and external stresses. This process is crucial to ensuring that the output is mediated to industry standards and fulfills the client’s criteria.
Cleaning and Maintenance of Acrylic Tubing
Proper care is crucial for maintaining the appearance and integrity of acrylic tubes over time.
Best Practices for Cleaning Acrylic
Acrylic surfaces may be cleaned with mild soap and warm water using a gentle, soft, and lint-free cloth, such as a microfiber cloth. Lightly wipe down the surface to remove the dust and debris. Perform a thorough rinse with water and then blot to wipe dry with a damp cloth or a chamois to prevent water spots from forming. Never use abrasive or corrosive cleaners, scrubbing pads, or dry cleaning ammonia, acetone, and/or gasoline, as they may dress the surface with a haze or even worse, soft craze it.
Prevention of Scratches and Damage
Acrylic poses as a durable surface, yet it can be scratched easily. While lifting or carrying acrylic tubes, dragging them across rough surfaces should be avoided. Minor scratches, if any, can be polished easily using a soft buffing cloth and a dedicated acrylic polish. For deeper scratches, advanced polishing and multi-stage sanding are needed.
Acrylic Tubes Storage Tips
Acrylic tubes should be stored cool, dry, and away from sunlight to prevent the tubes from warping or discoloring. Protective packs serve a dual purpose to cover the tube from dust and scrapes. The tube is best stacked with other tubes or other horizontal tubes to prevent bowing from the weight of stacked tubes. These can be set on a level surface as bolded with acceptable roughness.
Your Next Steps
Known for its interesting properties and visual appeal, acrylic tubing is a versatile material that has many applications. Having proper techniques in understanding the differences between types of cast vs extruded tubing, knowing proper and clean acrylic dimensions, as well as maintenance procedures, leads to successful outcomes. As a designer, engineer, or someone who enjoys acrylic tubing as a hobby, having the proper acrylic tubing will make the proper project happen.
