Acrylics Revamp Oceanariums: China’s Deep-Sea Tech-Eco Innovations

In the construction of modern oceanariums, acrylic materials are reshaping immersive marine experiences through disruptive technologies. As transparent barriers made of polymeric materials, they leverage a light transmittance of 93% and excellent compressive performance to surpass the physical limits of traditional glass. For example, the giant acrylic viewing window adopted by Harbin Poseidon Ocean Kingdom features a single panel measuring 17.94 meters in length, 7.2 meters in height, and 500 millimeters in thickness. Capable of withstanding the 800-ton water pressure from a 15-meter water depth, it achieves a "stealth" visual effect through seamless heat-bending splicing technology, allowing visitors to feel as if they are immersed in a real underwater world. Compared with glass, acrylic has 11 times its impact resistance while being half as heavy, making it more suitable for complex  designs. Take Shanghai Haichang Ocean Park's 360-degree "Penguin Super Bowl" exhibition pool as an example—the 13-meter-diameter circular acrylic curtain wall perfectly presents the polar ecosystem.

In terms of technological innovation, the production processes and environmental performance of acrylic panels have achieved simultaneous breakthroughs. The new-generation acrylic uses virgin PMMA (polymethyl methacrylate) and is formed in one piece through bulk polymerization, with surface hardness comparable to aluminum and significantly enhanced UV resistance—after one year of outdoor exposure testing, the panels show no deformation or yellowing, meeting the service life requirement of over 20 years for oceanariums. In environmental protection, although acrylic has high production energy consumption, its recycling technology has advanced: physical recycling pellets can be used to manufacture building decoration materials, while chemical recycling can extract high-purity raw materials for reuse, helping oceanariums achieve green circulation. Currently, the "Azure Cave" at Shenzhen Xiaomeisha Ocean World—the world's largest acrylic exhibit tank structural carrier—uses a 15-meter-diameter circular box girder and 750-millimeter composite panels, combined with audio-visual technologies to create deep-sea immersive scenarios, marking the transition of acrylic applications from single display to multi-dimensional experiences.