So finding a reliable plastics distributor that can provide both types of sheets to you in order to meet all of these different needs. Add UHMW, PTFE, plastic glue, Multiwall polycarbonate, Seaboard, architectural and engineering plastics. While it offers certain advantages over conventional glass sheets, it also comes with a few limitations. Polycarbonate sheet maintains glass-like clarity and is highly impact resistant and strong. This clear plastic is typically more expensive than acrylic and polystyrene, but it is extremely strong. Many people associate polycarbonate with "bullet-proof glass" because it is the same material used to make armored windows in government motorcade vehicles as well as airplane windows. Their drawbacks are: acrylic can crack/shatter under impact and polycarbonate is easier to scratch. Today PMMA (“plexiglass”) is sold under many different brand names, including Acrylite, Lucite® and Perspex®. I was a teen with access to a shop filled with Plexiglas® Acrylic sheets, Lexan®, Plastic Sheets & Fiberglass sheet. It also is a strong material, able to withstand different types of weather and tear. The acrylic glass was developed in the year 1928 in some laboratories by chemists such as William Chalmers, and it was made available to the market under the Plexiglas trademark. In summary the benefits are: acrylic is stiffer, shinier, more scratch resistant and cheaper than polycarbonate which is bendier and virtually unbreakable. Price of Acrylic vs. Polycarbonate. Road Tankers. PETG is an easy to mould clear plastic material with about 70% of the impact strength of polycarbonate, but it is still fantastically strong when compared with extruded acrylic or glass. Acrylic sheet is easy to fabricate, bonds well with adhesives and solvents, and is easy to thermoform. Polycarbonate and acrylic are two plastics frequently used today. Acrylic and Polycarbonate are essentially very similar materials. Both materials cut well with a band saw or table saw using a high speed with small teeth. Acrylic is a parent name that indicates the type of polymer used in its manufacturing. Common Applications of Acrylic & Polycarbonate. It is available in clear and opaque forms, making it the ideal choice for construction and security-related purposes. Additionally over time both will lose visual clarity, the difference being that acrylic be polished to regain it; polycarbonate cannot be. Between glass and plexiglass of the same thickness, glass is the more effective soundproofing material. Polycarbonate is an extremely good material for constructing a greenhouse. Differences Between Acrylic and Polycarbonate. Less heat is lost with polycarbonate sheets than its glass alternative. Acrylic plastic is a handy building material that has a variety of uses. 2-ft x 6-ft Corrugated Clear Polycarbonate Plastic Roof Panel. When polycarbonate is exposed to UV light it becomes yellow, cloudy and brittle. It is a lighter alternative to glass and a natural UV filter, so it is often used in eyewear. Plastic is a polymer that has a large molecular mass. Polystyrene is stronger than budget materials (like PVC); it can withstand knocks and offers fair cable retention. Plastic vs. Polycarbonate Lenses Today we are going to be talking specifically about plastic vs polycarbonate lenses and what the major difference is between the lens materials. x 18 in., LEXAN polycarbonate sheet, 24 in. You can get a very clean edge on acrylic by lasercutting it. At Creative Mechanisms, we have used Polycarbonate in a number of applications across a range of industries. Acrylic is significantly more durable when exposed to Ultra Violet radiation (sunlight). 40 years later I educate our team on new materials and processes - to customers worldwide. Acrylic and polycarbonate are two of the most popular clear plastics. “Plastic.” The manufacturing costs are higher with cast acrylic, which is reflected in its higher price. All the acrylic sheet we supply is designed to meet the strict demands of many commercial, industrial, and residential applications. Each exhibits particular advantageous and disadvantageous characteristics that make one or the other more appropriate to use in a given application. In this lesson we will compare and contrast the physical and mechanical properties of each, as well as the uses of each. Polycarbonate vs. Acrylic for Greenhouses Glass has been a mainstay in greenhouse construction for centuries, but while its light transmitting properties are ideal for plant growth and natural indoor lighting, its performance as a durable construction material leaves a lot to be desired. Plastic Vs Polycarbonate Lenses- Which One Is Better? They provide different benefits (and drawbacks). Item #1697674. 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