In daily life, we often encounter products that resemble glass-such as display stands, clear boxes, protective barriers, or even fish tanks. But many of these items are not made of glass; they are made of acrylic.
Acrylic and glass may appear similar at first glance, but they differ significantly in terms of performance and safety. Acrylic is approximately half the weight of glass and is much more impact-resistant. Even when broken, it doesn't shatter into sharp, dangerous fragments like glass does. This makes it a safer choice for use in products for children, indoor partitions, and outdoor signage.
Moreover, acrylic can be dyed or coated in various colors, offering more flexibility in design, while glass is harder to process. Although acrylic is more prone to surface scratches than glass, its hardness can be improved with UV coatings and other treatments.
So next time you come across a product that looks like lightweight glass and doesn't break easily, there's a good chance it's acrylic-not glass.