Acrylic Sheet Heat Forming

Higher molecular weight acrylic has better heat strength during forming but is more difficult to form due to its higher melt strength and elastic memory.

Acrylic sheet heat forming.

Temperatures can be off as much as 75 f 42 c possibly allowing the acrylic to overheat. Set up plastic or acrylic sheet in a simple bending jig. Upon cooling they will be strong and permanent. Use long thin 1 inch or so in width test strips to practice your technique and learn how your particular heat source affects your chosen thickness of plastic.

The rest of the sheet is heated largely by conduction. The process is straightforward. Turn the sheet of acrylic over on the heating element every 30 60 seconds in order to avoid damaging it. Modify the timing as necessary.

This article uses a sheet about 1 4 thick so all times are about 10 to 15 minutes per step. Acrylic sheets give off highly flammable fumes when decomposed overheating. It has tiny vacuum holes to facilitate the vacuum pump which sucks out the air between the mold and the sheet. When they come into contact with the heat source there is likely to be an explosion.

Most kitchen ovens do not have accurate temperature control. The only major variable that can affect the forming process is the thickness of the plastic sheet. Since plexiglas acrylic sheet is an excellent insulator the surface exposed to the heater may overheat before the rest of the sheet is hot enough for forming. Acrylic sheet is opaque to most wavelengths in the infrared spectrum the surface exposed to the heater absorbs almost all the energy.

In the vacuum forming machine the sheet is heated until it becomes pliable while being held in place by the clamping frame. At this point the pliable polycarbonate sheet is lowered onto the mold. Once soft mold them into any shape you desire. To set up your plastic or acrylic sheet to bend simple curves for your miniature and model projects you need to first remove the protective covering from the material you wish to bend.

These gases are potentially explosive if allowed to collect in an unventilated area. Wear gloves as you do this to avoid burning your hands. I have used this technique for years with sizes up to 16 inches in diameter. Tutorial for how to.

And because air is not forcibly circulated in a standard kitchen oven the fumes will accumulate. Just heat the sheets above 150 degrees f for 2 3 minutes until they turn from translucent to clear using a heat gun. Set the sheet of acrylic across the rests on the strip heater and turn it on. Ideal for perspex acrylic plexiglass polycarbonate.

Be sure that the marked line is above the heating element. Bending shaping plastic with hot air gun heat gun. Lower molecular weight acrylic forms more easily and with great detail but is more sensitive to differential heating. You can see my other artwork at http.

For thicker sheets it will take longer and for thinner sheets it will take less time.