Short answer: Yes, acrylic scratches more easily than glass, though it resists scratching better than polycarbonate, PETG, and most other clear plastics; its hardness is about Rockwell M-94 to M-100 (ASTM D785). Most scratches come from wiping it dry or with paper towels, and most can be polished out. Where scratching is a real concern, abrasion-resistant coated acrylic (for example Acrylite Optical mar-resistant) hazes under 2% in a 100-cycle Taber test versus about 20 to 30% for uncoated sheet.

How hard is acrylic?

Sheet makers measure acrylic's hardness on the Rockwell M scale (ASTM D785): M-93 for Acrylite extruded, M-94 for Acrylite cast, and M-100 for Plexiglas G and Optix-L, with a Barcol hardness of 48 to 49. That makes it one of the hardest clear plastics, but far softer than glass.

Key facts

  • Rockwell hardness: M-93 to M-100 depending on maker and grade.
  • Abrasion, uncoated: Röhm measures 20 to 30% haze after 100 Taber abrader revolutions (ISO 9352) on standard PLEXIGLAS GS and XT.
  • Abrasion, coated: Acrylite Optical mar-resistant sheet shows under 2% haze change after 100 Taber cycles (ASTM D1044) and under 1% after 25 cycles of rotary brass wool.
  • Scratches weaken it: a failure-analysis firm reports a sharp 0.01 in. scratch can cut acrylic's tensile strength by about half.
MaterialScratch resistance (general)
GlassExcellent. Hard to scratch with everyday objects.
Abrasion-resistant coated acrylicVery good on the coated face; close to glass in everyday use.
AcrylicFair. The best of the common uncoated clear plastics.
PolycarbonatePoor. Scratches and hazes readily unless coated.
PETGPoor to fair.

In practice: a fingernail won't scratch acrylic, but sand, grit, keys, rings, and a dirty rag will. Glass shrugs off all of those.

What scratches acrylic?

  • Dusting or wiping it dry. Dust is mostly fine grit. Wiping it across the surface drags it like sandpaper. This is the number one cause of the fine swirl marks you see on old acrylic.
  • Paper towels and rough cloths. Paper fibers are abrasive on acrylic. Use a soft microfiber cloth.
  • Abrasive cleaners and scrub pads. Even "soft scrub" types haze the surface.
  • Sliding objects across it. Stacking parts, sliding plates on a tabletop cover, or setting down a ceramic mug with a rough base.
  • Peeling off the film and laying it face down on a workbench.

How do you keep acrylic from scratching?

  1. Keep the protective film on until the part is installed.
  2. Rinse or blow off dust first, then wash with mild soap and lukewarm water and a soft cloth. Blot dry with microfiber. Full method in how to clean acrylic.
  3. Skip window sprays and strong solvents. Acrylite's care guide rules out window cleaning sprays and kitchen scouring compounds; solvents and full-strength alcohol don't scratch, but they can cause crazing, which looks similar.
  4. Use felt pads under items on acrylic table covers and shelves, and coasters for mugs.
  5. Pick the right spot. High-traffic touch surfaces (countertops, kiosk screens) are better off with glass or coated acrylic.
  6. An anti-static cleaner or polish attracts less dust, which means less wiping. See stopping static and dust.

What is abrasion-resistant acrylic?

Coated acrylic has a hard, clear surface coating on one or both faces. Acrylite's Optical mar-resistant sheet, for example, is made for picture framing, store fixtures, and displays that get handled and cleaned often. The trade-offs, from Acrylite's data: it's meant mainly for indoor use (outdoors, typically about three years), it can't be flame polished (the coating cracks), it can't be line-bent or thermoformed, and the coating has to be sanded or routed off before solvent cementing a coated face. Damaged coating can't be polished back. Standard acrylic doesn't have this coating. If you need it, ask us before ordering.

Can scratches be removed?

Usually, yes. That's one of acrylic's real advantages over glass. Light scratches polish out with a plastic polish and a soft cloth. Deeper ones can be wet-sanded with progressively finer paper and then polished. Glass scratches are much harder to remove. Step by step: how to remove scratches from acrylic.

Should you choose glass instead?

If scratch resistance is the top priority and weight and breakage aren't concerns, glass is better: a table top that sees daily use, a cutting surface, a shower door cleaned with abrasives. If you want lightness, safety, and easy cutting with reasonable scratch resistance, acrylic is the best clear plastic for it. See acrylic vs glass.

We ship parts with protective film on both faces so they arrive scratch-free. Get an instant quote.

Questions

Which scratches more, acrylic or polycarbonate?

Polycarbonate scratches much more easily than acrylic, unless it has a hard coating. Acrylic is the better choice for clear surfaces that get handled and cleaned.

Will acrylic in a picture frame get scratched?

Not if you clean it gently. Picture frame acrylic is rarely touched, so the main risk is dry dusting. Use a damp microfiber cloth or an acrylic cleaner.

Is acrylic good for a table top cover?

It works well for protecting a wooden table from spills and rings, but it will collect fine scratches from plates and keys over time. Thicker sheet doesn't help with scratching; gentle use and felt pads do.

Do scratches make acrylic weaker?

Deep ones can. Acrylic is notch-sensitive, and the Madison Group reports a sharp 0.01 in. scratch can cut tensile strength by about half. That matters for loaded parts like aquarium panels and shelves, not for a picture frame.

Sources