As many other thermoplastics notch is a problem in acrylic. Construction must therefore be without sharp internal corners, because notch combined with internal tensions easily can result in cracks during processing, transportation or
the first use.
Internal tensions are common in extruded acrylic due to the manufacturing method, but tensions can also be created using the wrong tools and laser cutting.
Internal tensions can be removed with slowly heating and cooling in a oven.
In clear acrylic tensions can be seen using two pieces of Polaroid filter - Station the acrylic behind a light source, place the filters on top of each other and watch the acrylic through the filters, while the filters are rotated relative to each other. Tensions lights up.
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Constructions in acrylic to avoid notch
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