3mm Heavy Opaque Acrylic

Opal Acrylic Sheet Specifications

Perspex® Extruded Acrylic Technical Sheet

Frequently Asked Questions for Opal Acrylic Sheets

What are opal acrylic sheets?

Opal acrylic sheets are a type of translucent plastic sheet that has a milky white appearance. They are often used for light-diffusing applications, such as signage, lighting fixtures, or decorative panels.

What are the benefits of opal acrylic sheets over glass?

Opal Acrylic Sheets have a variety of benefits over glass. They are ten times stronger and more impact-resistant than glass, meaning they are more durable and safer to use. They also have half the weight of glass which makes the installation a lot easier!

What’s the difference between Opal Perspex® and Opal Acrylic?

Perspex® is a brand of Acrylic plastic. They are the same.

Can I get samples of your Opal Acrylic?

You can request samples of any of our products: When on the store page for the material you are interested in, first select the thickness you want, then scroll down and find the "Request Sample" button. This will add one sample unit to the shopping cart. Make sure to check your shopping cart before checking out.

Acrylic samples come as 10cm squares and are intended to let you see the colour or finish in real life. For Coloured Acrylic, sometimes we won't have sample stock of the exact thickness you ask for, but you'll still get the right colours. Clear and tinted samples will always be the correct thickness as the thickness can be important for the properties of the product.

How much light passes through solid Opal Acrylic Sheets?

This is a semi-translucent material that lets through just 36% of light. Shapes and colours behind it would be vaguely perceptible. We strongly recommend requesting samples if lighting or opacity is a critical factor in your project.

Do I need polished edges?

If your item is going to be on display and is not going to be set into a frame, we recommend opting for polished edges when possible. This will leave the edges as smooth as the surface. Without this, your item may have slightly visible tool marks along the cut surfaces. This is particularly important for items that will be handled, as the edges would otherwise be rough. The effect of a polished edge will be more visible on thicker sheets of Clear Acrylic.

Is Opal Perspex® food safe?

Perspex® Acrylic Sheets comply with current EU and American (FDA) food contact regulations.

Why is my acrylic the wrong colour?

All of our acrylic products will be shipped with a thin protective film covering on both faces. This could be a variety of colours: blue, green and white are common, and may not have any branding or logos printed on it to make it obvious that it’s there. The cutting process can sometimes melt the film at the edges, causing it to stick very tightly to the surface of your Acrylic, making it tricky to peel off. Work at the edges or corners carefully with a craft knife to make it release, then peel it off carefully.

If you are doing any installation or modification, you might want to leave the film in place while handling your new Acrylic panels, to minimise scrapes and prevent fingerprints.

Is Opal Perspex® heat resistant?

Perspex® sheets will melt at high temperatures or from exposure to direct flames. The melting point for Opal Perspex® is 80̊C so they cannot withstand extreme temperatures.

Can I put Opal Acrylic behind a hob?

Electric, ceramic and induction hobs are safe to have acrylic panels behind them but there must be at least a 50mm gap between the panel and the hob. The safest option is to use a glass splashback for gas hobs. Please see our splashbacks page for more information on cooker types and acrylic.

Is Cut My able to fabricate my product?

We can cut various sizes and shapes out of flat sheets in a range of thicknesses.

Can Opal Perspex® be painted or printed on?

Yes, Opal Perspex® can be painted or printed on as it has a smooth flat surface. However, choosing the right type of paint or ink is important to ensure adhesion and durability. It's also important to follow proper preparation and application techniques to avoid smudging or other issues.

How can I clean Opal Perspex®?

Keeping your Opal Perspex® clean and hygienic is easy, as all that is required is warm soapy water and a microfibre cloth. Please avoid using abrasive cleaners or materials, as these can scratch the surface of the material.

How resistant to scratching are your Acrylic Sheets?

Acrylic is not as scratch resistant as a similar panel of glass, but light surface marks can be more easily buffed out from Acrylic. We offer a higher scratch protection finish on our 6mm acrylic if you need extra safeguarding.

How can I remove scratches from Opal Acrylic?

You can easily remove scratches from mirrors with a microfibre cloth and a high-quality polish. Following the instructions on the polish, the scratches will be removed using small circular motions.

How can I cut Opal Acrylic Sheets?

While it is possible to cut acrylic sheets yourself, we do suggest that you request it cut-to-size before ordering as we can expertly and safely meet your requirements. We use a variety of tools here at Cut My, including saws, routers and lasers and our staff have plenty of safety equipment and knowledge of the correct techniques for cutting acrylic sheets. If you must cut Acrylic Sheets yourself, you will need a skill saw with an Acrylic blade or a router to prevent chipping. For guidance on cutting sheets yourself, check out the following guide: How To Cut Acrylic Sheets

Is Opal Perspex® recyclable?

Opal Perspex® is recyclable, however, as it’s not bio-degradable the process is not as easy as putting it in your recycle bin or taking it to a bottle bank. But you can re-use Perspex® by cutting larger sheets into small pieces and forming them into other products.

Does Opal Acrylic block UV or Infra-red?

Acrylic Sheets are resistant to UV, however, they don’t block it. All of the Perspex® Sheets that we stock are not fully infra-red blocking.

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