About PMMA
PMMA, also known as acrylic glass or plexiglass, is technically polymethyl methacrylate. It is a highly transparent material that can be processed mechanically and thermally, and when heated it can be permanently formed into custom shapes.
Acrylic is softer than glass, but with proper use this is not a problem. If damaged, it can be repaired many times and restored to its original condition. That makes PMMA a practical material for pools, public aquariums and technical elements where transparency, thickness and long-term service matter.
Properties of Acrylic
Acrylic sheets are available as extruded or cast material. For demanding structural projects, cast PMMA is the key choice because it offers stable optical quality, high transparency and the ability to work with significant panel thickness.
The material can be bonded, polished, machined and thermoformed. It can also be repaired on site, which is one of its biggest advantages over traditional glazing in underwater and architectural applications.
Technology Process
Every project starts with technical assumptions: water pressure, panel dimensions, support conditions, deflection limits, transport and installation conditions. These parameters define the required thickness, geometry and production method.
Forma Fabrica supports the process from material knowledge and panel shaping to production control in Poland or China. Installation is planned around site conditions, logistics and safety, because the quality of the final effect depends on both the material and the execution.
Our Experience
We have delivered dozens of large pool and aquarium projects, including suspended pools, underwater windows, tunnels, public exhibitions and technical PMMA elements. This experience lets us evaluate a concept early and guide it toward a buildable solution.
We source acrylic directly, coordinate production, control finishing and support installation. Depending on the project, we also help with technical approvals, logistics and documentation.
Thermoforming
The most distinctive feature of PMMA is the ability to thermoform it into shapes that are impossible for mineral glass. A negative mold, often called a plug, is prepared first. The acrylic panel is fixed to it, heated in an oven and formed according to the designed geometry.
The process requires precision, time and temperature control. Large panels may spend days in preparation and heating, with temperature differences controlled very carefully. This allows us to create cylinders, curves and specialist shapes while preserving the transparency of the material.