Acrylic Identification

[msorenson]

I aquired some scrape acrylic with paper masking. There is no identification on the paper. Is there any way to determine cast vs. extruded just by looking at the acrylic? Is there any way to determine the brand of the acrylic?

~ Mark

 

[fergy]

With experience, you'll be able to tell by smell when you are cutting it. Extruded has a sweet smell, because of the styrene in it. It also cuts differently, tending to gum up more. You can also often see extrusion lines in it, when it is unmasked.

BRIAN
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Honda CG125

 

[msorenson]

Can you go into more detail regarding extrusion lines? What to they look like? Would you see them in the cross section?

~ Mark

 

[fergy]

No, you won't see them in a cross section. You would see them when you look at the entire sheet as slight streaks.

For an example, place the piece of 2" tube next to the 6" tube. The 2" is extuded. Note how it looks, compared to the larger piece.

BRIAN
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Ferrari 250 GT Drogo