CLAREX Optical-Grade Cell-Cast Thin Acrylic Sheets
The foundational base substrate for nearly every product we offer.
CLAREX acrylic (also known as PMMA or poly-methyl methacrylate) is engineered for unsurpassed optical clarity and consistency, while offering a wide range of customizable features. Produced using a specialized batch cell-cast process, these sheets deliver the highest-quality optical-grade acrylic available on the market. This same process also allows for full customization—from low-volume specialty runs to large-scale production—without compromising performance.
Benefits of Cell-Cast Thin Acrylic Sheets
- Ultra-Smooth Surfaces – Highly polished mold sets create surfaces with roughness less than 0.02µ for exceptional optical clarity.
- Defect-Free Quality – Every sheet is 100% visually inspected for consistency and precision.
- Weather & Chemical Resistant – Reliable performance in challenging environments.
- Low Wavefront Distortion – Maintains optical accuracy for demanding applications.
- High Light Transmission – Achieves up to 92% transmission in clear sheets without an anti-reflective coating.
- Isotropic Transmission – No birefringence or double refraction, ensuring polarized light passes cleanly.
- No Autofluorescence – Pure liquid monomer formulation prevents unwanted glow under UV or laser light.
- High Molecular Weight – 2+ million for strength, stability, and durability.
Common Thin Acrylic Sheet Applications
- LCD protective windows
- Camera and lens covers
- Sensor and light filters
- Architectural models
- Microfluidics substrate
- Prototyping and product development
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 Acrylic Sheet Sizes
- Standard small sheet: 400 × 550 mm
- Standard large sheet: 1000 × 1000 mm
- Custom sizes: Maximum dimensions depend on application—contact us to discuss options
Color Options
- Colors are typically transparent, however a wide range of transparent, translucent, and opaque colors are available
- Neutral density (smoke) and other specialty tints offered
- Colors available from 0.5 mm thickness and up
- Custom color-matching is available if your color isn’t already in our color portfolio
Coating Options
- Optical-grade hard coat for scratch and chemical resistance
- Antibacterial hard-coat
- Anti-reflective (AR) coatings
- Mirror coatings
- Additional specialty coatings available
Surface Finishes
- Non-glare textures can be molded in during casting (not a coating).
- Multiple texture options with varying gloss levels available
- Available one or both sides in any combination
Special Formulations
- High-temperature
- UV transmit (UVT)
- Added UV-blocking protection
- Low moisture absorption
Transmission Curves for Standard Clear Acrylic Sheets and Many Different Colors/Shades
We have additional specialty curves, such as:
Customization
Custom sheets & parts to meet the needs of your applications.
Build your own sheets! Do you have a unique design requirement that cannot be met with off-the-shelf acrylic sheets? The CLAREX sheets can be fully customized and produced in low volumes up to mass production. Choose the thickness, formulation, additives, color dye/pigments, surface textures, surface coatings, and optical coatings for your custom material configuration, and we can typically have it ready for you in 4-8 weeks. We can even fabricate the finished parts for you.
Physical & Chemical Properties of Cell-Cast Thin Acrylic Sheets
| 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 |
What is Cell-Cast Acrylic?
Cell-cast acrylic is a premium type of acrylic known for its crystal-clear clarity, strength, and durability. Unlike other forms of acrylic, it’s made in a way that resists chemicals, warping/cracking, and birefringence, making it ideal for high-quality displays, optical filters, and other projects where a long-lasting high-quality material matters.
Ready to Get Started with Thin Cell-Cast Acrylic Sheets?
Whether you need standard sizes, custom fabrication, or a specialized formulation, our team can help configure CLAREX acrylic to meet your exact requirements.