Diamond-polished clear acrylic assemblies
Diamond-polished clear acrylic assemblies
Acrylic Appearance Acceptance Standards: A/B Surfaces, Scratches, Haze, Transmission and Seams
This page defines how we agree appearance acceptance for polished acrylic parts: A/B surfaces, scratches, haze, transmission and seams.
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Diamond-polished clear acrylic with optical clarity
Acceptance criteria are agreed per order against a master sample; no numeric values are claimed without measurement evidence.
Company-declared
What the appearance terms mean
Appearance described as clear / glass-clear / optically clear: these terms are defined against the approved master sample so the same words mean the same thing to both sides, and the A and B faces are named on the drawing before production.
A face versus B face
The A face is the primary viewing surface and carries the tightest criteria; the B face allows normal fabrication marks such as light tool marks or edge texture unless the drawing states otherwise.
How scratches and haze are judged
Scratches, spots and haze are evaluated under defined lighting at an agreed viewing distance against the master sample; limits for defect size and count are written into the acceptance standard per order rather than published generically.
Transmission and haze targets
Transmission and haze targets are confirmed per order when the application needs them; measurements follow an agreed method and are reported with the first article or batch when specified.
Laser-engraved clear acrylic sheet showing surface finish detail
Laser-engraved clear acrylic sheet showing surface finish detail
Accepting bonded seams
Bonded joints described as near-invisible seams: seam acceptance is checked for visible joint lines, bubbles and step against the master sample per order, and near-invisible seams are achievable on polished edges.
Appearance acceptance: which standard applies
| Choose this when | Do not choose this when | Option | Claim IDs |
|---|---|---|---|
| The surface is the primary viewing face | The surface is hidden in assembly | A-face criteria, tightest limits, judged against master sample | AF-C16 |
| The surface is secondary or hidden | The drawing calls A-face quality | B-face criteria, normal fabrication marks allowed | AF-C16 |
| Application specifies transmission or haze targets | Appearance only needs visual clarity | Measured per agreed method; targets in the acceptance standard | AF-C16 |
| A bonded seam must be visually near-invisible | Seam appearance is not critical | Near-invisible seam criteria on polished edges, per master sample | AF-C17 |
| You need a documented acceptance standard | Standard sample comparison is enough | Written acceptance standard in the quote, master sample approved | AF-C16 |
Appearance attributes, evaluation and acceptance basis
| Property | Value | Unit | Product grade | Thickness specimen | Test method / standard | Evidence status | Qualification | Claim IDs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A/B surface designation | A face primary viewing; B face secondary, normal fabrication marks allowed | n/a | Fabricated acrylic parts | Order-specified | Drawing designation plus master sample | company-declared | Confirmed per order | AF-C16 |
| Scratches and spots | Defect size and count limits agreed per order | per agreement | Fabricated acrylic parts | Order-specified | Defined lighting and agreed viewing distance | order-specific | Evaluated against the master sample | |
| Haze and transmission | Targets confirmed per order; measured by agreed method when specified | n/a | Order-specified grade | Specified specimen thickness | Agreed measurement method | order-specific | No numeric value published without measurement evidence | |
| Bonded seam visibility | Near-invisible on polished edges; checked for joint line, bubbles, step | n/a | Bonded acrylic assemblies | Order-specified | Master sample per order | company-declared | Confirmed against the master sample per order | AF-C17 |
| Master sample | Approved at first article; both sides judge against it | n/a | Fabricated acrylic parts | Order-specified | First-article sample control | company-declared process | Sample control per order | |
| Clarity terms | Clear, glass-clear, optically clear; defined against the master sample | n/a | Fabricated acrylic parts | Order-specified | Master sample per order | company-declared | Terms carry no numeric claim | AF-C16 |
Evidence and verification
- Appearance acceptance records, master-sample photos and measurement reports are supplied on request per order.
- A certificate of conformity or batch COA can be supplied per order on request.
- Appearance and acceptance statements on this page are company-declared by AcrylicFabWorks unless stated otherwise.
- Applicable product grade: Fabricated acrylic (PMMA) parts
- Fact owner: Quality and polishing review, AcrylicFabWorks
- Last reviewed: 2026-08-27
FAQ
What is an A face and a B face?
The A face is the primary viewing surface with the tightest criteria; the B face is secondary and allows normal fabrication marks such as light tool marks unless the drawing states otherwise.
What scratch or haze limits do you apply?
We do not publish generic numeric limits: scratch, spot, haze and transmission limits are agreed per order against a master sample and written into the acceptance standard.
How do you measure transmission or haze?
When the application specifies them, targets and the measurement method are confirmed per order and the results are reported with the first article or batch.
Can bonded seams be nearly invisible?
Bonded joints described as near-invisible seams are achievable on polished edges and are checked for joint line, bubbles and step against the master sample per order.
What does optically clear mean?
Appearance described as clear / glass-clear / optically clear is defined against the approved master sample so both sides judge the same standard.
How do I judge whether a polished acrylic part looks acceptable?
Agree the acceptance basis before production: A and B faces named on the drawing, viewing distance and lighting defined, and scratch, pit and haze limits written into the standard per order against a master sample. The same words, clear, glass-clear or optically clear, then mean the same thing to both sides.
What causes visible defects on polished acrylic edges?
Edge defects such as tool marks, pits or haze depend on the finishing route and edge geometry; diamond polishing machines the edge flat, flame polishing melts to a gloss, and buffing follows contours. Limits for defect size and count are agreed per order rather than published generically.
Can bonded acrylic seams really be near-invisible?
Bonded joints described as near-invisible seams: seam acceptance is checked for visible joint lines, bubbles and step against the master sample per order. Near-invisible seams are achievable on polished edges but depend on geometry, bond type and the agreed sample; seam strength and environmental limits are separate requirements.
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