Acrylic mirror panel is extruded from acrylic substrate, coated with a metal layer through a vacuum coating machine. The surface of the acrylic panel has a metallic base, creating a mirror effect very similar to glass mirrors. Hence, it is called an acrylic mirror panel. The substrate acrylic is also known as PMMA or organic glass sheet, derived from the English term “acrylic” (acrylic plastic), with the actual chemical composition being polymethyl methacrylate. Acrylic mirrors are clear, bright, realistic, weather-resistant, chemically resistant, heat-treatable, and suitable for laser cutting. They find wide applications in industries such as display cabinets, product showcases, storefront displays, and areas requiring lightweight, earthquake-resistant solutions with safety considerations.
Characteristics of Acrylic Mirror Panels
Classification: Acrylic mirrors can be categorized based on their reflective effects, such as single-sided mirrors, semi-transparent mirrors, and double-sided mirrors. Specific thickness, dimensions, colors, light transmittance, etc., can be customized according to requirements.
Thickness: Generally 1mm to 8mm, with 2mm, 3mm, and 5mm being common thicknesses.
Standard sizes: 1220mm2440mm (4 feet * 8 feet) and 1220mm1830mm (4 feet * 6 feet).
Light transmittance: Non-transparent, 5%, 10%, 20%, 30%, commonly used percentages.
Colors: Silver, gold, red, blue, pink, purple, etc., with customization options.
Advantages of Acrylic Mirror Panels
Strong Impact Resistance: Acrylic mirror panels currently in use show no visible marks even when dropped from a height of 1 meter. In contrast, glass mirrors can shatter even from a height as low as 20 centimeters.
Strong Chemical Stability: Resistant to both acidic and alkaline substances, making acrylic mirror panels corrosion-resistant in adverse outdoor environments.
High Glossiness: Acrylic mirror panels exhibit high glossiness, with a noticeable high-gloss effect on the mirror surface. Orange peel effects are absent, and the smooth surface is easy to clean.
Rich Mirror Coating: The surface of the acrylic mirror panel is made of resin-like material, featuring a lacquer-style finish.
High Plasticity: After heating at high temperatures, acrylic mirror panels can be modified according to shapes or images through laser cutting, providing convenient customization options as needed.
Disadvantages of acrylic mirror panels
Acrylic mirrors, under the same thickness, have an impact strength about 17 times higher than glass mirrors, making them less prone to shattering. However, the surface of acrylic mirrors is not as hard as glass, leading to potential scratches. Even with additional hardening processes, the hardness can only reach 4H. Therefore, when cleaning the surface of acrylic mirrors, caution is required, and soft cloth should be used for cleaning.
Acrylic mirror panels lack the rigidity of glass, limiting their ability to replace glass mirrors extensively. Visual distortions may occur during normal use, especially noticeable in larger mirror applications. Thicker acrylic mirrors exhibit better rigidity, maintaining relatively better optical integrity. Correct installation and the use of an appropriate thickness of acrylic mirror panels can reduce visual distortion, but it may not eliminate it completely. This distortion is not a manufacturing defect but an inherent characteristic of the material. Therefore, when using acrylic mirrors extensively, attention should be paid to the flatness of the substrate (or wall) and the installation process, which can affect the mirror’s performance. Good design and proper installation can highlight the beauty of acrylic mirrors.
Like other mirror products, acrylic mirrors can concentrate and enhance sunlight, creating focal points similar to magnifying glasses. Therefore, they should be placed with care and not exposed to direct sunlight. Additionally, acrylic itself is a type of plastic, and under UV exposure, it may undergo aging.
Production processes of acrylic mirror panels
Hot Pressing Method: Acrylic mirror sheets are produced by heating acrylic sheets and then hot-pressing them in molds. This method yields acrylic display shelves with smooth lines, a strong three-dimensional effect, and characteristics of relief.
Grinding Method: Acrylic mirror sheets produced using the grinding method involve overlapping and gluing together organic glass sheets, followed by direct grinding to shape. The color of acrylic mirror sheets produced by this method is varied and has a natural appearance.
Vertical Grinding Method: Similar to the grinding method, the vertical grinding method involves bonding acrylic sheets, followed by grinding and polishing directly on a grinding wheel to achieve the desired shape.
Bonding Method: Acrylic mirror sheets produced by the bonding method involve cutting acrylic sheets into specific shapes, then bonding and joining them together.
Differences between Acrylic Mirror Panels and Glass
Material Difference:
Glass is made from a large amount of silicate and is primarily composed of silicon dioxide, belonging to inorganic glass.
Performance Difference:
- Acrylic has a transparency of up to 97%, with impact resistance 17 times that of glass. It is less prone to breakage but only weighs half as much as glass. Acrylic can be easily colored by adding pigments to produce colored acrylic.
- Glass has comparable transparency to acrylic, higher hardness, and better scratch resistance. However, it is prone to shattering, especially standard glass with poor impact resistance. Special processes can produce toughened glass and heat-resistant glass. To produce colored glass, specific inorganic salts or metal oxides, such as manganese dioxide (MnO₂) for purple or gold chloride (AuCl₃) for red, need to be added during the manufacturing process.
Differences in Functional Applications:
- Due to its superior impact resistance and lightweight nature, acrylic is commonly used in furniture decoration, outdoor advertising, sound barriers, skylights, etc.
- Glass, despite being prone to breakage, surpasses acrylic in hardness and aesthetic appeal. Glass also offers more diverse special properties, such as heat-resistant glass used in chemical experiments and toughened glass used in buses and high-rise buildings.
How to Judge the Quality of Acrylic Mirrors
Firstly, the imaging effect of the mirror surface is crucial, usually visible to the naked eye, especially when two mirrors of different grades are compared side by side. The quality of the acrylic substrate is a decisive factor in influencing the imaging of the mirror. If the raw materials contain impurities or dust particles during the production process, these will be significantly magnified and displayed on the mirror surface.
Secondly, the adhesion and weather resistance of the coating and protective paint are essential. For ordinary individuals, judging this may not be straightforward. Typically, scratching the back paint with a fingernail and checking its solidity or examining for light leakage can provide some insights. From an industry perspective, the adhesion and weather resistance of the coating and protective paint primarily depend on the precision of electroplating and painting equipment. A stable vacuum state and precise painting equipment ensure high-quality mirror products.
The above is a detailed introduction to all aspects of acrylic mirrors, I hope it will be helpful to you. If you have any other questions, as a professional acrylic mirror manufacturer, please contact us and we will provide you with help at any time.
