acryl

Acryl is a term used in several languages to denote acrylic materials—polymers and resins derived from acrylic acid or methacrylic derivatives. It is commonly used to refer to a family of plastics and fibers that includes polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), as well as various polyacrylates and acrylic fibers. In German-language contexts, acrylglas is widely used for PMMA, while acrylic fibers refer to textile yarns made from polyacrylate polymers.

Polymethyl methacrylate, known commercially as acrylic glass, is a transparent, lightweight thermoplastic with high optical clarity and good weather resistance. It is used for glazing, safety shields, car headlights, displays, and art lenses. Other acrylic polymers provide coatings, paints, adhesives, sealants, and dental resins. Acrylic fibers—also called acryl fibers—are used in textiles for warmth and softness and are among the main synthetic wool substitutes.

Properties of acrylics generally include clarity, UV resistance, and chemical resistance, with PMMA being hard and capable of forming, though it can be brittle and prone to scratching. They can be machined, glued, and thermoformed, and are valued for transparency and light weight. Limitations include surface scratching and sensitivity to certain solvents; recycling and waste management vary by material type and region.

Production and safety: acrylic polymers are produced by free-radical polymerization of methyl methacrylate or other acrylate monomers. The MMA monomer is a skin and eye irritant, requiring proper handling. PMMA and related resins are widely used under regulated conditions; recycling is possible but not as universally implemented as for some other plastics.