• Acrylic plastic can be molded into beads.bead on a plastic wire image by cirikate from Fotolia.com
  
  Acrylic plastics, such as Plexiglas, are polymer materials, most commonly made from polymethyl methacrylate. Polymers are made up of several different materials that act differently when they are combined. The properties of acrylic plastic make it extremely versatile and appropriate for various uses, from airplane windshields to fake jewels. The type of plastic acrylic used depends on the requirements of the final product.
  
  

Flat Sheets

• Flat sheets of acrylic are made in two methods. Larger sheets are made by adding methyl methacrylate monomer and a catalyst to cavities in a glass or metal mold. The mixture spreads outward into all areas of the sealed mold. Heat is applied to the mold, causing a chemical reaction that creates the acrylic polymer. Thinner sheets are made on stainless steel belts that transport the acrylic through heating and cooling cycles.
  
  

Rods and Tubes

• Elongated shapes, such as rods or tubes, are created through the same method as large flat sheets of acrylic, but with differently shaped molds. Liquid plastic is extruded through tube-shaped molds as it is heated to create the required shape. The rods are then cut to the appropriate length and used for a variety of commercial and scientific purposes. Acrylic plastic's heat resistance makes the tubes useful in laboratories, while the visual appeal makes acrylic common in household items.
  
  

Molding Powder

• Acrylic molding powder is extremely flexible and can be cast in molds or extruded. The molding powder is made by suspending small bits of polymethyl methacrylate in a mix of water and a reaction catalyst. A common catalyst for this process is organic peroxide. As each droplet of the polymethyl methacrylate reacts with the peroxide in the surrounding solution, creating a tiny grain of polymer. Once the water has been removed, the resulting powder can be heated to create different shapes.