Acrylic Expansion
Acrylic Expansion
(OP)
I am working on a drive thru design involving the use of acrlyic on internal panels which will be exposed to temperatures up to 70 degrees C.
I know acrylic will take the heat if expansion clearance is allowed for in a frame, but I don't know if less bowing will occur if thicker as apposed to thinner material is used. I.E will .060 acrylic boy more than .125 material if both were installed in frames?
Also, if I am bonding two pieces of acrylic together with a t molding to leave a gap between them, with the expansion of this assembly be impacted if I use one sheet at .060 and one at .125"? In other words, do I need to made both parts with the same thickness to ensure the assemble expands and contracts correctly?
ANy help on this would be great.
I know acrylic will take the heat if expansion clearance is allowed for in a frame, but I don't know if less bowing will occur if thicker as apposed to thinner material is used. I.E will .060 acrylic boy more than .125 material if both were installed in frames?
Also, if I am bonding two pieces of acrylic together with a t molding to leave a gap between them, with the expansion of this assembly be impacted if I use one sheet at .060 and one at .125"? In other words, do I need to made both parts with the same thickness to ensure the assemble expands and contracts correctly?
ANy help on this would be great.





RE: Acrylic Expansion
Whether the thickness change at the splice would be objectionable depends on the details and the adjudicator.
Mike Halloran
Pembroke Pines, FL, USA
RE: Acrylic Expansion
RE: Acrylic Expansion
The two panels ans the T are both made out of acrylic and it sounds like all should be good with that in terms of movement.
I will be setting up some heat lamps to try to simulate the heat gain for summer motnhs to see how much oil canning will occur.
We normally produce units with .080 thick acrylic, but in this application we are trying to keep the weight down to make it easier to cahnge panels.
We are alos hoping that having the T bond the panel on three sides will help reduce the oil canning from possibly happening.
RE: Acrylic Expansion
RE: Acrylic Expansion
I can get some detials on this on Monday to better show what this is.