Hard-Coated Optical-Grade Acrylic Sheets (RH)
Optical grade acrylic sheets with added scratch and chemical resistance.
CLAREX RH acrylic sheets combine optical-grade cell-cast acrylic with a hard coat that improves scratch and chemical resistance while preserving the visual quality of the base material. The coating can also serve as a base layer for additional optical coatings.
Unlike typical abrasion-resistant coatings, CLAREX hard-coat is designed to maintain the optical properties of the acrylic sheet and can be applied to non-glare textured surfaces without compromising the texture. The coating is acrylic-based, UV stable, and resistant to delamination, making it a strong fit for demanding optical and display applications.
Need even more scratch resistance? See our Super Hard-Coat (RHG) option
Benefits of Hard-Coated Acrylic Sheets
Improved Scratch Resistance
Hard coating increases surface hardness from 2H to 6-8H pencil hardness, providing better scratch resistance than uncoated acrylic.
Enhanced Chemical Resistance
The coated surface offers improved chemical resistance in demanding optical, display, and protective window applications.
Optical Grade CLAREX Performance
Maintains the same optical-grade properties as uncoated CLAREX sheets, including low wavefront distortion, isotropic transmission, high long-path transmission, and no birefringence or retardation.
High Clarity, Fully Inspected Quality
Clear sheets provide approximately 92% light transmission without anti-reflective coating, and every sheet is 100% visually inspected for cosmetic defects and optical consistency.
Fabrication- and Coating-Friendly
Supports excellent machining and laser cutting performance while also serving as an ideal base substrate for additional optical coatings.
Premium Material Options
Made from high molecular weight (2+ million) acrylic with virtually no autofluorescence, with custom color matching available when needed.
Common Hard-Coated Acrylic Sheets Applications
Designed to improve surface durability without sacrificing optical clarity in display, sensing, imaging, and protective window applications.
LCD Protective Windows
Scratch-resistant optical windows for display applications.
Camera, Lens, & Optical Covers
Clear protective covers for optical and imaging components.
Touchscreen, HMI, & Instrument Windows
A strong fit for operator interfaces, gauges, and other high-use viewing surfaces.
Sensors, Light Filters, & Machine Vision Windows
Durable optical surfaces for sensing, filtering, and vision-based systems.
Prototyping
Optical-grade acrylic for prototype parts that need added surface durability.
Substrate for Optical Coatings
A strong base material for additional optical coatings.
Sample materials may be available to help you evaluate material performance.
THICKNESS OPTIONS
- 0.2mm
- 0.25mm
- 0.3mm
- 0.35mm
- 0.4mm
- 0.5mm
- 0.6mm
- 0.7mm
- 0.8mm
- 1.0mm
- 1.2mm
- 1.5mm
- 2.0mm
- 2.5mm
- 3.0mm
- 3.5mm
- 4.0mm
- 4.5mm
- 5.0mm
- Custom
Cell-Cast Sheet Size Options
- Standard sheet size: 400mm × 550mm
- Standard large sheet size: 1000mm × 1000mm
- Custom sizes: Maximum dimensions depend on application. Contact us to discuss available options.
Finished Parts
Sheets can be fabricated and finished to customer specifications.
HOW IT WORKS
What is cell-cast acrylic/PMMA?
Cell-cast acrylic is a premium type of acrylic known for its crystal-clear optical quality, strength, and durability. Unlike extruded acrylic, cell cast acrylic sheets are produced in batch molds, resulting in lower internal stress, improved optical clarity, and greater resistance to cracking and warping.
This manufacturing method produces optical-grade acrylic with minimal birefringence, making it ideal for displays, optical filters, imaging systems, and applications requiring consistent light transmission across acrylic sheet thicknesses.
This consistency makes cell-cast acrylic a strong choice when clarity, thickness control, and predictable optical performance are critical. It also provides a reliable foundation for additional CLAREX options, including coatings, textures, colors, and specialty formulations.
Customization
Customizable hard-coated acrylic sheets and parts for your application.
Need a configuration beyond standard hard-coated acrylic sheet options? CLAREX hard-coated acrylic can be customized to meet specific optical, mechanical, and design requirements, from low-volume runs to mass production. Select thickness, color, surface finish, texture, coating configuration, and additional optical coatings to create a sheet tailored to your application.
Fabricated parts and finished assemblies can also be produced to specification. Typical lead time is 4 to 8 weeks.
PRODUCT SPECS
Physical & Chemical Properties of Hard-Coated Acrylic
| PROPERTY | METHOD | UNIT | UNCOATED | with HARD COAT |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Specific Gravity | ASTM D-792 | 1.19 | 1.19 | |
| OPTICAL | ||||
| Refractive Index | ASTM D-542 | 1.49 | 1.49 (1.54) | |
| MECHANICAL | ||||
| Elongation | ASTM D-638 | % | 5 | 5 |
| Tensile Rupture Strength | ASTM D-638 | kg/cm2 | 750 | 650 |
| Flexural Rupture Strength | ASTM D-790 | kg/cm2 | 1200 | 800 |
| THERMAL | ||||
| Heat Distortion Temperature | °C | 108 | 110 | |
| Maximum Recommended Continuous Temperature | °C | 80 | 80 | |
| Available with higher temperature ratings upon request, 90-95 °C | ||||
| DURABILITY | ||||
| Heat Resistance | 80ºC x 100hr | No Change | No Change | |
| Cold Resistance | -40ºC x 100hr | No Change | No Change | |
| Humidity Resistance | 60ºC x 90% x 100hr | No Change | No Change | |
| Thermal Cycle | -40ºC <> 80ºC (10 cycles) | No Change | No Change | |
| ELECTRICAL | ||||
| Surface Resistivity | w | 10^16 | 10^16 | |
| CHEMICAL | ||||
| Methyl Alcohol (50%) | No Change | No Change | ||
| Ethyl Alcohol (50%) | No Change | No Change | ||
| Soap Aqua Solution | No Change | No Change | ||
| Toluene | Dissolved | No Change | ||
| Acetone | Dissolved | No Change | ||
| Benzene | Swollen | No Change | ||
| Ethylene Dichloride | Dissolved | No Change | ||
| OTHER | ||||
| Pencil Hardness | 2H | >6H | ||
| Adhesion | K-5400 | 100/100 | ||
| FLAMMABILITY | ||||
| Fire Resistivity | UL standard | >=0.8mm Thickness | 94HB | 94HB |
Ready to Get Started with Hard-Coated Acrylic Sheets?
Whether you need standard sheets, custom dimensions, non-glare textures, additional optical coatings, or fabricated finished parts, our team can help configure the right hard-coated acrylic solution for your application.