All acrylics are not the same. Most acrylic sheets are used in non-­load bearing applications, and are not exposed to harsh external conditions. Commercial grade panels are usually used in these applications.

Acrylic panels used in swimming pool applications are subject to large long term loads, and are also exposed to significant temperature variations and high levels of UV radiation. Structural failure of highly loaded submerged panels due to inferior panel manufacture, structural inadequacy and inappropriate installation procedures can have serious consequences.

Many readily available commercial grade acrylic sheet products can exhibit a gradual degradation in optical performance over time under exposure to loads, weather, and UV radiation. These materials can surface craze, turn milky or become yellow over time. Optical deterioration of an inappropriately specified swimming pool or aquarium panel due to weathering or excessive stress is irreversible and requires panel removal and replacement.

It is therefore essential that the acrylic material used in this type of application is thoroughly tested, engineered and certified to international standards, to ensure that the panels provide predictable and safe long-­term structural and optical performance. The selected panel manufacturer should have a long and proven track record in engineering design, manufacture, supply and installation of aquarium grade structural acrylic in aquaria in exposed situations, and should provide a comprehensive warranty which covers structural and optical performance of the panels.

Clearwater Acrylic only provides fully certified structural acrylics, which fully comply with relevant international structural and optical standards. These panels are manufactured by Reynolds Polymer Inc., of Colorado, USA who is a world leader in the casting and fabrication of premium acrylic block. All Reynolds acrylics are backed by the Reynolds 10 year warranty for structural and optical performance issued under the certainty of US law.

Buyers should beware of panels being manufactured and supplied by emerging acrylic or aquarium companies located in countries such as China and Indonesia. The total cost saving gained by installing such potentially inferior panels will be in the order of 10% of the total installed price, and these potential savings will come at a significant risk to the purchaser.

Below are some links and informative sheets you can download to learn more about acrylics and Clearwater Acrylic products.

• Clearwater Acrylic Brochure.PDF
• Estimate Request Form 2011.PDF

All Reynolds R-Cast acrylic sheets are cast in moulds of standard sizes and thicknesses. In order to meet your specific acrylic panel size and thickness, standard sheets are usually chemically bonded to form your finished size. In most instances, the most cost effective solution is to fabricate chemically bonded panels. However, in certain circumstances a bond free panel may be requested.

Please note that bond free panels are significantly more expensive than panels fabricated from standard cast acrylic sheet. Large bond free panels in excess of 2400mm will incur a 50% -100% increase to the cost of the acrylic. All panels quoted by Clearwater Acrylic are assumed to be fabricated from standard acrylic sheet and will contain bonds where applicable unless you specify at quote stage otherwise.

Reynolds Polymer Inc. are world leaders in chemical bonding of acrylic sheet. Whilst the chemical bonds are of high quality and low visibility, the chemical bonds can be slightly visible from some angles. The extent to which the bonds are visible is not significant for most applications.

You can view an example appearance of a chemical bond from different angles here to assist you in determining your requirements with regard to suitability of bonded panels for your application.

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If you have any further questions or would like to arrange to see a chemical bond first hand, please feel free to contact our office for additional information.