Polycarbonate / Acrylic

Polycarbonate (Lexan) and Acrylic Sheets

Polycarbonate sheets have found their place in the industrial arena. Used mainly for guarding and guard fixtures, polycarbonate sheets are very impact resistant. Heat forming and cold bending of the sheet is possible as well, making endless fabrication possibilities available.

Lexan is the brand name for polycarbonate sheet and resin in a wide range of grades. Applications are mainly in three domains.building (glazing and domes), industry (machine protection and fabricated parts) and communication and signage. Common uses include space and sports helmets, clear high performance windshields and aircraft canopies, and bullet resistant windows. Polycarbonate / acrylic is also known as Lexan / plexiglass and clear plastic.

The following are some of the differences between the two:

Acrylic is breakable, but is approximately 10 times stronger than glass. It is also less expensive than glass. Polycarbonate is virtually unbreakable but can scratch more easily than Acrylic. Both are available in clear and some assorted colours or tints. Please contact us for further information.

Popular Uses for Acrylic:

Motorcycle helmet visors
Spectator protection in ice hockey
Police riot control vehicles modifications
Computer case mods (windows)

Popular Uses for Polycarbonate (Lexan):

. Compact discs, DVDs
. Lighting lenses, sunglass/eyeglass lenses, safety glasses, automotive headlamp lenses
. Drinking bottles
. Computers: Apple, Inc..s MacBook, iMac, and Mac mini
. Cases
. Riot shields, visors
. Instrument panels

Key characteristics/differences, Acrylic(Plexiglass) compared to Polycarbonate (Lexan):

. More likely to chip, less impact resistance than Polycarbonate. (still 10 times more resistant than glass)
. Less likely to scratch.
. More of a consumer (household) level and is easier to find at hardware stores.
. Better clarity and can be restored to optical clarity.

Key characteristics/differences, Polycarbonate (Lexan) compared to Acrylic:

. Impact/chip resistance is much higher with Polycarbonate. (about 30 times more resistant than glass)
. More likely to scratch.
. Used for more industry applications
. Bulletproof when thick enough.
. Can be cold bent
. Easier to work with (cut, less likely to break)
. Poorer clarity, diffuses light, can lighten (could be positive).

Plastics, what is polycarbonate, what is acrylic, what is lexan, about acrylic, acrylic plastic, acrylics, polyurethane, styrofoam, polystyrene, polyethylene, plexiglass, polypropylene, teflon, plexiglass, pvc, polycarbonate, hdpe, styrene, acrylic plastic, plastic sheet, sheet plastic, acrylic sheet, uhmw, acrylic sheets, delrin, plastic materials, abs plastic, polycarbonate sheet, acetals, acetate,
polycarbonate sheets, polycarbonate panels, plastic distributors, plastic rod,
pvc sheet, acetate sheet, polyethylene sheet, hdpe plastic, uhmw plastic,
polypropylene sheet, Ontario, Canada.
.