What is Pure Acrylic Solid Surface? Its Core Definition, Features, Alternatives & Comparison

1. What is Pure acrylic solid surface materials?

Pure Acrylic Solid Surface is one popular artificial marble materials and used mainly for kitchen countertops, vanity countertops, solid surface sinks, wall cladding and other interior design applications. As one man-made stone based on acrylic polymers, pure acrylic solid surface was firstly invented in 1967 by DuPont Company with famous brand Corian® in United States, other subsequent brands have Hi-Macs®, Staron®, Hanex® and so on.

2. Main ingredients of Pure Acrylic Solid Surface

Pure acrylic solid surface is made from the mixed Acrylic Polymers resin with natural minerals like Alumina Trihydrate (ATH) and Pigments, this result is one high-performance artificial marble that is non-porous, homogenous and consistent in color & pattern all the way through its thickness, all raw materials itself are very environmentally-friendly and is manufactured in compliance with strict standards which allow it to touch food safely. Its main compositions are as follows:

2.1 Acrylic polymers matrix (more 40%): The aggregates type of Acrylic Resin (MMA) and Polymethyl Methacrylate (PMMA) is absolutely considered higher quality with better capabilities, this aggregates cost of its raw materials is highly $ 3700 Per Ton. Because this prepolymer only has the premium-grade version of acrylic polymers resin without any cheaper polyester resin (UPR), so inhere the meaning of “Pure“ acrylic solid surface is that acrylic polymers account for “100%” of the total resin, so this is the important reason why we also call it as 100% Acrylic Solid Surface (PMMA-based Solid Surface).

2.2 Natural minerals (about 60%): Usually Aluminum Trihydrate (ATH) as filler in pure acrylic solid surface sheet, because the refractive index of ATH is quite close to the cured acrylic polymers resin, which gives its surface a very high-quality & luxurious feel like natural marble, its appearance is always better transparent than all Polyester-Based Solid Surface including modified acrylic solid surface too.

2.3 Pigments (about 1%): For consistent, multitudinous and vibrant color throughout the entire thickness in sheet.

3. Unique & Excellent Features: Thermoformed freely

Pure acrylic solid surface (100% acrylic solid surface) can be freely thermoformed after heating it to 160°C or 170°C in the oven for about 25~35 minutes, at this time it will be very soft like the boiled noodle, then we can easily twist or bend any shape in wooden or metal mould to create some unique design according to your demand. Because pure acrylic solid surface have this excellent thermal-forming character, it offers the infinite freedom to design and create for any purpose in public space and commercial applications.

4. Key Characteristics & Benefits of Pure acrylic solid surface

4.1 Seamless-Jointing appearance is one of its biggest selling points. It can be jointed together inconspicuously with the concolorous glue/adhesive to create one seamless appearance. After sanding and polishing, its joint will be virtually invisible with no cracks or gaps.

4.2 Non-Porous & Hygienic: As we know that all natural stone has lots of pores, while pure acrylic solid surface is one non-porous & hygienic materials, its colors and patterns run through the entire thickness, this means that some stains like coffee, wine and juice also fail to penetrate inside of its surface and is easy to clean with a wet dishcloth and water, namely bacteria, fungi or mildew cannot exist or grow on its surface.

4.3 Repairable: It is solid and homogeneous, if some minor scratches, burns, heat, stains or other chemical damages will occur when owner use it daily, we can easily remove and repair these damages on-site with fine-grit sandpaper and renew its surface to like-new status, this makes it very durable over the long term.

4.4 Design Flexibility: It can be easily molded and freely thermoformed to some complex shapes, it can be used to make kitchen countertops, wall cladding, furniture and so on, also allowing for integrated sink bowls, curved edges and other customized shapes. It have vast array of colors from solid color to patterns mimicking marble vein color to meet the special atmosphere designs.

4.5 Non-toxic & Environmentally-friendly: It is one nontoxic product that made it an ideal decoration material for healthcare environments such as reception countertops and operating countertops in laboratories. Under normal temperature conditions, it cannot emit gases. Except it is well known for its eco-friendly composition, it has long life cycles and requires less replacement and maintain over time, offering obvious cost-effectiveness with reduced waste.

5. Applications of Pure acrylic solid surface

• Cylinder or Wall Cladding and Shower Surrounds.
• Bathroom Vanity Tops and Integrated Sinks & Basin.
• Kitchen Countertops & Islands Benchtops, Catering food countertops.
• Hospitality & Healthcare: Nurse Stations/Reception Countertops, Operating Worktops in laboratory.
• Commercial Interiors: Retail Displays, Restaurant/Hotel Check-in Desk and Office Reception areas.

6. Comparison with other materials Quartz Stone, Natural Stone, Laminate Countertops

• VS. Quartz Stone (Engineered Stone): Quartz stone is more heat-resistant but very harder and heavy, it cannot be freely thermoformed into various 2D or 3D design effect and also can’t reach the visible seams-joint effect like pure acrylic solid surface, so the design and shape of its finished product is always relatively simple and boring.

• VS. Natural Stone (Granite/Marble): Nature stone is unique and more expensive, it is also very hard and cannot be seamless-joint like Quartz stone. Because their surface is porous and can easily absorb liquids such as oil, wine, condiments, then easily become a foggy effect if water seeps in, so all nature stone must requires the sealing before putting into use and be re-sealed regularly in future to prevent these stains, its subsequent maintenance cost is extremely high.

• VS. Laminate Countertops: Compare to Quartz stone and Natural stone, Laminate panel countertops is much less expensive (its retail cost between $20 and $32 per square foot, while Quartz stone need about $150 per square foot) but it is not durable materials, because its waterproofing performance is very poor, so water or moisture can easily cause swelling and other damage that is not repairable.

7. Differences between Acrylic solid surface and Modified acrylic solid surface

7.1 Perfect alternative materials: Modified Acrylic Solid Surface

Pure acrylic solid surface is one popular option among designers and homeowners due to its good features such as Durability, Non-toxicity, Design Flexibility, Reparability and so on. However, its retail price is still relatively high, for example, the retail price of Corian® solid surface is between $ 67 and $120 per square foot in China market.

In order to make this product more accessible to a larger number of consumers with similar quality at a cost-effective price, Modified Acrylic Solid Surface as an alternative materials to kitchen countertop were emerged and began to be developed accordingly in 1996 in China, its enhanced performance was second only to pure acrylic solid surface with affordable cost. It has been proven that the market demand for Modified Acrylic Solid Surface is also very large.

Modified Acrylic Solid Surface is basically consist of 29~32% Unsaturated Polyester Resin (UPR), 5~8% Methyl Methacrylate (MMA), 58~60% Hydrated Aluminum Oxide [AL(OH)3] and other 1%. Because the expensive cost of Acrylic Polymers was completely replaced by the cheaper Unsaturated Polyester Resin (UPR), so this is the critical reason why Modified Acrylic Solid Surface also be called as Polyester Solid Surface (Polyester-Based Solid Surface) OR Composite Acrylic Solid Surface.

7.2 Pros and Cons of Modified Acrylic Solid Surface (Polyester solid surface)

7.2.1 Modified acrylic solid surface will be prone to yellowing as time went, this yellowing problem is slightly noticeable for light colors, but less noticeable for dark colors, while pure acrylic solid surface has excellent non-yellowing property and overcome the defects of discoloration.

7.2.2 The excellent thermal-forming character is unique selling point of pure acrylic solid surface, while modified acrylic solid surface can’t be freely bent or thermoformed, this difference is clearly present in all polyester solid surface.

7.2.3 The appearance of modified acrylic solid surface is relatively less textured, transparent and layering than pure acrylic solid surface which use the expensive acrylic polymers as its raw materials, naturally its luxurious atmosphere is also slightly lacking by comparison.

Except these three obvious above-mentioned differences are determined by the physical properties of their raw materials, while other characteristics such as Non-Porous & Hygienic, Durability, Non-toxicity, Reparability, Seamless-joint appearance, Low maintenance cost and so on, modified acrylic solid surface can be comparable to pure acrylic solid surface.

7.3 Comparison Table: Pure Acrylic vs. Modified Acrylic Solid Surface

8. Practical Advice for choosing the suitable solid surface materials

Pure Acrylic Solid Surface is the highest-quality, durable, hygienic and most versatile shape of the material. It is an excellent choice for designers and homeowners who want the complex design versatility and long-term color stability in demanding residential and commercial applications.

Please directly choose Pure acrylic solid surface when you need:

• Complex & curved designs (integrated sinks, building columns etc.).
• Long-term color stability (sunny rooms, outdoor-adjacent applications).
• One premium product and are willing to invest for durability and longevity.
• The best hygiene (residential, hospitality, healthcare, labs, high-end kitchens).

It is advisable to choose Modified acrylic solid surface when:

• Can accept that it may yellow over time.
• Don’t require complex thermoforming shape.
• The countertops application is a simple and flat.
• Tighter budget is the absolute deciding factor for project.