If you have watched some of our more recent Product Spotlight videos, you may have heard the term polymethyl methacrylate (or PMMA) mentioned. Though it’s a bit of a mouthful to say, PMMA is actually a very important feature for many commercial fixtures. If you haven’t heard of PMMA before, you aren’t alone. In fact, we’ve received a lot of questions asking about it. So in today’s post, we’ll explain what PMMA is and what makes it so important.

What Is PMMA?

So, what is polymethyl methacrylate? PMMA is a type of thermoplastic that was first discovered in the U.K. in the 1930s and branded as Perspex. Similar brands soon followed, including Plexiglas and Lucite, and PMMA began being used commercially in 1936. PMMA became more well-known during World War II when it was used for aircraft windscreens and submarine periscopes. Today, you may be most familiar with it being referred to as acrylic. PMMA is used in a wide range of products including eyeglass lenses, security barriers, viewports, and (of course) light fixture lenses.

Features

So now that you know what PMMA is, you are probably wondering what makes it so popular. PMMA has several key features that sets it apart from other materials. One of the most important features is that PMMA doesn’t discolor overtime. In older fixtures it is common for the lens to turn yellow due to age and exposure to UV light, leading to repeated calls for replacements. Due to its chemical makeup, however, PMMA is non-yellowing and has a high UV tolerance. This means the lens will look as good a new, even if it’s been in place for years.

Another key feature of PMMA is its glare reduction capabilities. PMMA evenly diffuses light, offering some of the best glare reduction in the industry. This is especially useful for classrooms, hospitals, and offices where glare can cause issues. PMMA is also impact and shatter resistant. This makes it a popular choice for use in warehouses, loading docks, and other similar locations where light fixtures could be knocked into. It can easily withstand bumps and impacts and won’t shatter into hundreds of pieces like glass if it does break.

1000Bulbs carries a wide assortment of fixtures with PMMA lenses, including under cabinet lights, troffers, and strip light fixtures. For help finding the right fixture for your application, call 1-800-624-4488 to speak with one of our lighting experts.