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Assembly and Fastening of Plexiglass acrylic sheet
Assembly and Fastening of Plexiglas acrylic sheet

Through Fastening - Plexiglass may be easily attached to other surfaces using round head wood screws, round head bolts, sheet metal screws, oval head screws or bolts used in conjunction with finishing washers, and threaded rod used with cap (Acorn) nuts. Flat head screws, bolts and other fasteners which require countersinking should not be used, because a countersunk hole is almost the same as a notch and a potential fracture point. The countersunk fastener also does not provide freedom of movement for expansion and contraction. Holes for fasteners should be drilled oversized to allow for thermal movement of the Plexiglas. Remember, acrylic and metal have different expansion rates. Always, use a Plexiglas Drill Bit or regrind your steel bit to a 60 degree included tip angle. A minimum oversize for each drilled hole is recommended in the table below in accordance with the size of the Plexiglas part and the temperature range to which the part is exposed:



OVERSIZE HOLE RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THROUGH-BOLTING PLEXIGLASS

Degree of Size of Temperature Change for Plexiglas

     10   15   20   30   40   50   60


12" 1/16 1/16 1/16 1/16 1/16 1/8  1/8 
24" 1/16 1/16 1/16 1/16 1/8  1/8  1/8
36" 1/16 1/16 1/16 3/8  1/8  3/16 1/4 
48" 1/16 1/16 1/8  1/8  3/16 1/4  1/4 
60" 1/16 1/16 1/8  1/8  1/4  1/4  3/8 
72" 1/16 1/8  1/8  1/8  1/4  5/16 3/8
84" 1/8  1/8  3/16 3/16 5/16 5/16 1/2 
96" 1/8 1/8   3/16 1/4  5/16 3/8  1/2


Whenever possible locate holes to provide at least 1/4" of material from edge of hole to edge of Plexiglas sheet. If possible smooth inside of hole by wrapping 320 grit wet or dry sand paper around a wood dowel and sanding until smooth. Bring fastener up snug and then back off 1/4 turn, again to provide for natural movement of the material as it expands and contracts. Again, the types of recommended fasteners: round head screws or bolts, oval head screws or bolts used in conjunction with finishing washers, and threaded rod used with cap (Acorn) nuts

SKYLIGHTS & PATIO WINDBREAK FENCING

1. Always use 1/4" thickness of Plexiglass for all skylight applications. Thinner grades will deflect due to gravity and may cause water puddles to collect. When covering lath type structures with shading type framework, thinner grades of Plexiglass may be used, but are not recommended. Through-fastening is not advised but with proper drilling techniques with oversize holes and Plexiglass bits, it can be used satisfactorily.

2. With patio wind break fencing spans of more than 2' x 4' must 1/4" Plexiglas due to wind load deflection. Spans of more than 4' should have a top cap of wood to enclose the upper portion of the Plexiglass panel. This may be left off, but the top of the Plexiglass panel will have a slight curvature. Be sure to allow for this movement in the framing. Patio glazing must be framed in other wood or metal channel frames.


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Plexiglas® sheet is a registered trademark of Arkema, Inc. Ridout Plastics is an authorized distributor of Plexiglas® acrylic sheet. Plexiglas® is commonly mis-spelled as Plexiglass, Plexy Glass, & Plexi Glass.

September 2011
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