Handling & Storage

Storage

Skids and cases of ACRYLITE® sheet are shipped with polyethylene film overwrap. This protects the sheet from dirt and moisture. The overwrap should be left intact during storage to minimize warpage. Acrylic sheets should be stored vertically or in special racks where the sheet can lean at an angle of approximately 10º. These angled racks should have plywood panels, which give full support to the material.

If ACRYLITE® sheet is stored horizontally; it must not be allowed to sag. Care must be taken to prevent chips or dirt from becoming lodged between the sheet as the weight of the material can force these chips through the protective masking and damage the sheet. If various sizes are stacked horizontally, the larger sheet should be at the bottom to avoid unsupported overhang.

ACRYLITE® sheets should not be stored near radiators or steam pipes or other heat sources, as heat tends to soften and deform acrylic sheet. Do not store acrylic sheets near spray painting booths or expose it to other solvent vapors which may penetrate the masking and damage the sheet surface.

 

Roll the masking paper onto a cardboard tube.

Marking on Masking

ACRYLITE® acrylic sheet is manufactured with a masking on both surfaces to protect the sheet from scratching during storage and handling. Both latex paper and polyethylene film masking are available.

Paper masking can be marked with almost any writing tool including pencils, ballpoint pens, and felt tip pens. Marking on polyethylene masking may be done with grease pencils and certain felt tip markers.

Removing Masking from acrylic sheet

The sheet masking should be left in place during most fabrication operations to protect the sheet surface. The masking may be removed for intricate detail work on the sheet if necessary. Certain heat sources used in line bending and thermoforming operations may also require removal of the masking. See Tech Briefs for line bending and thermoforming for details.

Unmasked sheet should be stored in the original shipping cartons. Avoid handling unmasked sheet unnecessarily.

You can remove paper masking with a cardboard tube by rolling the masking around it. Masked ACRYLITE® sheet should be kept away from heat and sunlight, and masking should be removed soon after installation. If the adhesive has hardened, moistening it with aliphatic naphtha, hexane, or kerosene will help to soften it. Do not use gasoline or sharp-edged objects such as razor blades. Any oily film left behind by solvents should be removed immediately by washing.
Roll the masking paper back enough to allow work on the edge of the sheet.

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Fire Precautions
ACRYLITE® sheet is a combustible thermoplastic. Precautions should be taken to protect this material from flames and high heat sources. ACRYLITE® sheet usually burns rapidly to completion if not extinguished. The products of combustion, if sufficient air is present, are carbon dioxide and water. However, in many fires sufficient air will not be available and toxic carbon monoxide will be formed, as it will when other common combustible materials are burned. We urge good judgement in the use of this versatile material and recommend that building codes be followed carefully to assure it is used properly.

Compatibility
Like other plastic materials, ACRYLITE® sheet is subject to crazing, cracking or discoloration if brought into contact with incompatible materials. These materials may include cleaners, polishes, adhesives, sealants, gasketing or packaging materials, cutting emulsions, etc. See the Tech Briefs in this series for more information, or contact your ACRYLITE® sheet Distributor for information on a specific product.

This information and all further technical advice is based on our present knowledge and experience. However, it implies no liability or other legal responsibility on our part, including with regard to existing third party intellectual property rights, especially patent rights. In particular, no warranty, whether expressed or implied, or guarantee of product properties in the legal sense is intended or implied. We reserve the right to make any changes according to technical progress or further developments. The customer is not released from the obligation to conduct careful inspection and testing of incoming goods. Performance of the product described herein should be verified by testing, which should be carried out only by qualified experts in the sole responsibility of a customer. Reference to trade names used by other companies is neither a recommendation, nor does it imply that similar products should be used.