Acrylic - Extruded
☀ UV Stable
Overview
Extruded acrylic (PMMA) for laser and CNC applications. Extruded acrylic is made by pushing acrylic resin through a die, making it more economical than cast acrylic. It has slightly lower optical clarity but cuts and machines well. Suitable for general-purpose applications where cost is a factor. Available in clear, colors, and frosted varieties. Good for prototypes, budget signage, and general fabrication work.
Properties
Difficulty
intermediate
Pros
- Less expensive than cast acrylic
- Good optical clarity (slightly less than cast)
- Easy to cut and machine
- Available in many sizes
- Uniform thickness
- Good for general purpose use
Cons
- Lower optical clarity than cast
- Edges not as polished when laser cut
- More internal stress — prone to cracking
- Lower scratch resistance
- CNC can cause melting if not careful
- Not as premium for engraving
Best For
- Budget signage
- protective covers
- prototypes
- general fabrication
- window replacements
- display cases (non-premium)
Laser Compatibility
Extruded acrylic cuts but leaves rough/melted edges vs cast. Better for engraving flat surfaces. CO2 similar settings to cast but expect more melt. Diode: engrave at 150mm/s 70%.
Brands
Generic extrusionHome DepotLowe's