What method do I use to compare the different thermal expansion of plastic substrates?
Similar methods are used to those outlined above for metal substrates. However, for plastic materials the expansion is typically greater than for metal products. Taking acrylic as an example, a typical expansion allowance is of the order of three times the vale for aluminium e.g. 0.7 mm per metre per 10o C. It is therefore more important on large panels to expansion allowances exist for acrylic and other plastic substrates.
