ACRYLIC SHEET

Altuglas® EI

Impact grade extruded sheet

Altuglas EI is a range of extruded acrylic (PMMA) sheet developed by Altuglas International to meet the requirements of applications needing high impact resistance.

The polymer structure of this material has been modified by an exclusive additive that enables the sheet to resist impact up to six times greater than that tolerated by standard acrylic sheet.

This modification has little effect on the other properties of Altuglas , which thus retains the optical performance and durability that are unique to acrylic sheet.

Altuglas EI rangeThe Altuglas EI range is essentially made up of four materials that offer increasing resilience and fracture-resistance properties.

Altuglas EI 19

A PMMA sheet with slightly enhanced impact resistance, for applications requiring improved fracture resistance compared with standard PMMA.

Sample applications: Small POS items, windshields.

Altuglas EI 25

Suitable for all applications requiring enhanced impact resistance while retaining the intrinsic properties of PMMA, such as resistance to weathering (UV resistance) and light transmission (92%).

Sample applications: POS, windshields, small illuminated signs, glazing.

Altuglas EI 50

Suitable for the most demanding applications in terms of fracture resistance, whether during processing, transport or use of the finished articles.

The special properties of PMMA (UV resistance, light transmission and rigidity) are hardly affected and remain much higher than materials such as PC or PETG.

Sample applications: illuminated advertising, display items, windshields, urban fittings.

Altuglas EI 60

Top-of-the-range product. Combines the highest resistance to impact and chemicals that acrylic sheet can offer.

Ensures perfect release of components after thermoforming and reduces the risk of damage to parts in the factory or in transport.

Sample applications: Large illuminated signs, covers, manufactured parts, protective glazing.

Formats availablen Altuglas EI is available in thicknesses of 2, 3,

4, 5, 6, 8 and 10 mm.

n Standard format: 3050 mm x 2050 mm.

n Lengths up to 6 meters.

n Special colours (not from the standard range) to order, in minimum quantities of 20 metric tons.

Sub-formats are available from our distributors. Please contact them at your convenience. Altuglas EI sheet is delivered with two polyethylene protective films:

• Clear on the upper surface

• Green on the lower surface.

Altuglas® EI

Impact resistance performance

Note that there are two tests of the impact resistance of a material, in sheet applications.

Charpy impact test unnotched ISO 179/1 fU

Allows evaluation of the intrinsic resistance of a material in the event of direct impact. The values given (in KJ/m2) represent the energy required to rupture the material. The higher the value, the more resistant the material.

Charpy impact test, notched (ISO 179/1 eA)

1,4

3,2

4

5

6

0

1

2

3

4

5

6

KJ/

m²

EX EI 19 EI 25 EI 50 EI 60

Charpy impact test, unnotched (ISO 179/1 fU)

15

50

65

85

100 100

0

20

40

60

80

100

KJ

/ m

²

EX EI 19 EI25 EI50 EI60 PETG

Charpy impact test notched ISO 179/1eA

Allows evaluation of the spread of a rupture in the material. It takes account of the material's ability to limit spreading after the start of accidental rupture (crazing) in the sheet.

Altuglas® EI

Change in optical properties in outdoor use(Xenotest 1200 accelerated ageing – ISO 4892)

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

0 1000 2000 3000 4000

Exposure time in hours

Yel

low

Inde

x (Y

i) IS

0 77

24

EI25EI50

EI60PETGPC

Change in Yellow Index as a function of exposure time for Xenotest1200. ISO 4892

EXEI 19 EI 25 EI 50 EI 60 (standard)

Density ISO 1183 g/cm3 1,18 1,17 1,16 1,15 1,19Humidity absorption ISO 62 % 0,32 0,33 0,36 0,38 0,3Light transmission: 3 mm ASTM D 1003 % 92 92 91,5 91 92Haze ASTM D 1003 % 0,5 0,6 0,9 1,2 0,4Tensile strength ISO 527 MPa 60 56 50 45 74Elongation at breaking point ISO 527 % 23 32 45 55 5Flexing modulus of elasticity ISO 178 1 mm/mn MPa 2650 2400 2100 1900 3300Charpy impact unnotched ISO 179/1fU KJ/m2 50 63 85 100 16

Charpy impact notched ISO 179/1eA KJ/m2 3,2 4 5 6 1,4Vicat 50 N ISO 306 °C 103 102 100 97 105Coefficient of linearexpansionMaximum temperature in continuous useFire resistance (France) NF P92501 class M4 M4 M4 M4 M4Fire resistance (Germany) DIN 4102 class B2 B2 B2 B2 B2Fire resistance (UK) BS 476/7 class 4 4 4 4 4Fire resistance (Italy) CSE class 5 5 5 5 5

73

Altuglas ®

70 80

0,072 0,075 0,082 0,1 0,065

75

Specifications Test method Units

77

ASTM D 696 mm/m/°C

°C

Technical specifications (*)

(*) Values shown are average values obtained in the laboratory on clear samples 3 mm in thickness.

ThermoformingAltuglas EI offers much better processing properties than standard acrylic sheet.

n Elimination of breakage during release from moulds. The material is more elastic and flexible. It follows the shape of the mould better and is more tolerant of strains associated with shrinkage during the cooling stage and removal from the mould.

n Possibility of making moulds with smaller release angles (1° to 2°).

n Better reproduction of the mould finish.

n Less internal strains in the material.

n Improvement in manufacturing costs (less scrap pieces, less cycles and lower T°C for thermoforming).

Glueing

The additive used in the Altuglas EI range also offers the advantage of significant improvement in the solvent resistance of Altuglas.

There is therefore a direct relationship between resistance to chemicals and impact resistance in the Altuglas EI range.

For example, Altuglas EI 60 provides better solvent resistance than Altuglas EI 25 sheet and even Altuglas CN cast sheet.

Excellent results are obtained with Altuglas

Adhesive SPC glue, which provides rapid, clean and very strong bonding.

It is recommended that any strains caused by major glueing should be relaxed by re-curing (reheating) the component.

Recommended re-curing time (t):

At 70°C: t = (0.225 x ep) + 2

(where ep = thickness in mm and t = time in hours)

Processing

Machine processing of Altuglas EI sheet

Recommendations for machining Altuglas EI impact grade acrylic sheet are as indicated in our general technical brochure for machining Altuglas EX sheet.

Best results are obtained with properly sharpened tools and relief angles (α) slightly greater than for standard acrylic (2° to 5° greater) .

It is recommended that the peripheral speed of the tools used should be reduced relative to settings used for standard acrylic sheet (Altuglas

EX), and the linear speed increased.

Altuglas EI sheet is ideally suited to laser cutting.

However, edges of sheets may become slightly 'tacky' (adhesive) due to over-concentration of impact additive at the sheet edges.

This feature has the advantage of increasing resistance to breaking during cutting and strengthening any subsequent glued joints.

International approvals and standardsAltuglas EI 19 – 3 mm

TÜV to DIN 52306 and DIN 52307

Altuglas EI 25 – 3 mm

TÜV to DIN 52306 and DIN 52307

Altuglas EI 50 – 3 mm

TÜV to DIN 52306 and DIN 52307

ANSI Z26.1 – DOT 626

Other approvals are regularly obtained for our products, depending on the application. Please contact our technical services or your nearest distributor with any specific request.

Guarantee

Clear Altuglas EI sheet is guaranteed for 10 years against any abnormal change in properties (see our 10-year guarantee sheet for further details).

ThermoformingSheet heating conditions

Altuglas® EI Altuglas® EXHeating temperatureMinimum temperature (°C) 135 140Maximum temperature (°C) 180 190Recommended temperature (°C) 155 - 170 165 - 175

Note: Never exceed a temperature of 175°C when using vertical ovens (the sheets tend to creep).

Altuglas® EI Altuglas® EX

Heating time (guide)Oven (Mins/mm thickness.) 2.5 - 3 2.2 - 2.7Infrared panels

- 1 panel 2.2 Watt/cm2 (secs/mm x thickness) 38 - 45 32 - 37 - 2 panels 3.5 Watt/cm2 (secs/mm x thickness) 22 - 27 20 - 25

If sheets are to be heated using infrared radiation, it is recommended that the sheets should be preheated in a ventilated oven to a temperature of around 65° to 70°C for 1 hour/mm thickness of sheet heated.

This precaution is unnecessary if the sheet is heated directly in an oven with air circulation.

Altuglas International6, cours Michelet – Cedex 52F 92064 Paris La Défense 10Tel: +33 (0)1 49 00 80 80Fax: +33 (0)1 49 00 89 59

Altuglas® is a registered trademark of the Arkema Group.

www. altuglasint.com

Altuglas International, April 2006

Limitation of liability Information provided in the present brochure is based on the results of tests in our own laboratory. No consequent liability is accepted by Altuglas International.