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Frequently Asked Questions
What is Acrylic Couture?
Acrylic Couture is a high-quality, handcrafted decorative panel that can elevate any space. The panel can be incorporated into a design as is or used to create impressive lighting features, finely crafted furniture and many other items.
What is Acrylic Couture made of?
Acrylic Couture is made from hand selected premium quality and ethically sourced metallic fabrics, decorative particulates and feathers encased in crystal-clear high-quality acrylic resin.
What is the difference between Acrylic Couture panels and other “similar” acrylic panels?
Acrylic Couture panels are casted, starting by only optical-class methyl methacrylate virgin monomer, manufactured in the EU under EU rules and standards. This is the original and the only monomer, that can be used to manufacture polymethylmethacrylate homopolymer (PMMA) since 1933.
Unfortunately, the term “acrylic” authorises a lot of suppliers to use resins manufactured using large amounts of other monomers, styrene (which is carcinogenic) is the main one.
Our panels are produced using 99.7% of MMA and the rest of 0.3% are process additives.
Our panels are Pure Cast Methacrylates.
Is PMMA harmful?
No!
PMMA is compatible with the human body. First class methacrylates can be applied in contact with the human body like a prosthesis: PMMA has been used in skull, bone and teeth replacement material since the ’50s.
The same plant that produces Acrylic Couture produces goods for technical markets, their PMMA was certified according to CE 93/42 (number of authorization IT 0068/QPR-DM/053-2011) for medical use. For example, orthodontic prosthesis: it passed all tests (carcinogenic, mutagenic, residual monomer, cell growth).
Is PMMA recyclable?
Yes, 100%! One of the few plastic materials that can be turned again into monomer in a reliable process called “cracking process”.
To go a bit deeper, PMMA is one of the few materials, that comes back into the original liquid form and can be reused for second choice applications like paints, automotive parts and acrylic textiles or recycled acrylic sheets.
What is the difference between Acrylic Couture panels and some other kind of eco / green friendly resin?
Acrylic Couture panels are produced 99.7% with a 100% recyclable nontoxic monomer.
We believe this is green.
This raw material costs far more than the recycled options, however, guarantees a total traceability of the eventual pollutants (manufacturers of monomer give a certificate of analysis batch after batch) and express evidently more stable and uniform properties.
Recycled “materials” (no one, in the end, knows from what raw material source they’re from) contains huge proportion of “recycled plastics”.
Batch after batch there are different properties, different compositions and, in the end, different pollutants (styrene, PVC like polymers and antimony and heavy metal like pollutants derived by plastic composition that were allowed to be produced years ago).
Evidently, a lot of polymers that are very difficult to control, all our factory wastes are sent to recycling plants with a traced register.
Are any plasticisers used in the production process?
No, there are no plasticisers (phthalates) or other unsafe monomers present. All chemicals used are selected by the one approved for human use.
Is Acrylic Couture UV stable?
Yes, the high-quality Cast PMMA used to produce our panels allows for use in exterior environments. Acrylic Couture will outperform other “similar” products and we offer a 10-year warranty for exterior applications.
Are Acrylic Couture panels fire rated?
No, Acrylic Couture decided it is better to have a very low-burning ratio panel (emitting only water and CO2 pollutants), than to include additives that ultimately produce hazards within smoke.
Can I use Acrylic Couture panels in contact with chlorinated water? Salt water? Food?
Yes
How should I clean Acrylic Couture panels?
- For cleaning, use clear water and some drops of dishwashing liquid with a soft sponge. Do not use Microfiber cloths or alcohol-based cleaners.
- Dry the panels with a clean, moisturised shammy leather.
- Sponge and shammy leather should be used only for cleaning of acrylics and should be well rinsed before.
- Dust should not be wiped dry.
- Cleaning from dust must be done with first use cotton tissue, soap and water or neutral cleaners for glass. Cleaning agents with the inclusion of alkali, salts, acids, hydrocarbons, gasoline, alcohols, ammonia, solvents will damage the surface.
- Slight traces of surface wear can be removed easily with suitable polishes for acrylics.
- The panels should not be brought into contact with organic solvents like thinner, alcohols, fuels etc. Also, cleaners for windows often contain alcohol. Fumes of thinners are also harmful.
- Polishes and finishes that contain sealing and dirt-resistant ingredients should be used regularly.
How do I back light my panel?
Can I cut the panel?
Yes, it is easy to cut and process Acrylic Couture. We only supply full sheets however you can cut sheets to size for your specific project.
Is the edge already polished?
No, our panels come with an “unfinished” edge, most often the edges are recessed into framework/joinery and the raw edge is better suited when side lighting.
When using Acrylic Couture and an exposed edge is required, it is easily polished.
We provide technical information to assist with polishing.
Can I curve Acrylic Couture?
Fiocchi and Vento can be curved, however our fabrics are made with fine metals, and they cannot be curved very easily, therefore it is not recommended.
Can I use Acrylic Couture for benchtops?
Contact us & let's start creating
Need more information or have a project you would like to discuss? Our team is looking forward to your enquiry.