Abrasion Resistant Acrylic Glazing

Plastics have an important niche in glazing applications where there is concern over vandalism and breakage, maintenance and repair, weight and design, and rolled up costs over the life of the article. Glazing undergoes attack by impinging solids, liquids, gases and radiation. Tests are presented which are useful in evaluating resistance of plastics to attack, both initially and after weathering. The development history of a new resistant coating for poly(methyl methacrylate) is sketched, and complete performance data are included. Coated acrylic offers an unusually good balance of properties for transportation and architectural uses.