It has superior weathering properties compared to many other transparent plastics. The key difference between polycarbonate and plastic is that Polycarbonates are lighter but much stronger than plastic. A transparent thermoplastic with exceptional durability sold under different brands including Makrolon and Lexan. I buy, use and sell a significant amount of both products and each has its application. Acrylic and polycarbonate are two of the most popular clear plastics. Polycarbonate, however, is another level above that and would be recommended for applications where heavy impact is likely i.e. All the acrylic sheet we supply is designed to meet the strict demands of many commercial, industrial, and residential applications. Today PMMA (“plexiglass”) is sold under many different brand names, including Acrylite, Lucite® and Perspex®. Plastic Vs Polycarbonate Lenses- Which One Is Better? You can get a very clean edge on acrylic by lasercutting it. While it offers certain advantages over conventional glass sheets, it also comes with a few limitations. Acrylic and Polycarbonate are essentially very similar materials. Less heat is lost with polycarbonate sheets than its glass alternative. Acrylic is marginally clearer than polycarbonate and the difference is negligible but the gap will widen if polycarbonate is allowed to yellow, as a result of sun-exposure. Acrylic plastic is a handy building material that has a variety of uses. Summary – Polycarbonate vs Plastic. However, polycarbonate is marketed as being bullet proof whereas acrylic is not. While it depends on the final product and volume, Polycarbonate is generally 30-40% more expensive than Acrylic. 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. 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. It also is a strong material, able to withstand different types of weather and tear. I was a teen with access to a shop filled with Plexiglas® Acrylic sheets, Lexan®, Plastic Sheets & Fiberglass sheet. 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. Both polycarbonate sheets vs. acrylic sheets offer a ton of benefits over glass and other transparent materials. Between glass and plexiglass of the same thickness, glass is the more effective soundproofing material. Acrylic is significantly more durable when exposed to Ultra Violet radiation (sunlight). At Creative Mechanisms, we have used Polycarbonate in a number of applications across a range of industries. Polycarbonate is an extremely good material for constructing a greenhouse. Their drawbacks are: acrylic can crack/shatter under impact and polycarbonate is easier to scratch. What Are the Similarities Between a Polycarbonate Vs Acrylic Basketball Backboards. Acrylic is more scratch resistant than standard (9034) polycarbonate. Lexan is a brand name for a polycarbonate sheet of plastic. Add UHMW, PTFE, plastic glue, Multiwall polycarbonate, Seaboard, architectural and engineering plastics. The manufacturing costs are higher with cast acrylic, which is reflected in its higher price. Unfortunately, polycarbonate has one major drawback. Polycarbonate is sold under the trade names Lexan® and Makrolon® and is used in various applications. A jigsaw might tend to crack acrylic, but will be fine for polycarbonate. Price of Acrylic vs. Polycarbonate. “Plastic.” Other common plastics. x 18 in., is a perfect glass substitute. Acrylic is a transparent plastic material with outstanding strength, stiffness, and optical clarity. 40 years later I educate our team on new materials and processes - to customers worldwide. This clear plastic is typically more expensive than acrylic and polystyrene, but it is extremely strong. Don’t misunderstand my preference for acrylic. Can I use plexiglass for a greenhouse? Cast Acrylic vs. Extruded Acrylic Polycarbonate sheets are very lightweight and often installed on any solid flames including aluminum, steel, plastic, wood or other materials. It is available in clear and opaque forms, making it the ideal choice for construction and security-related purposes. Insulating Properties of Plexiglass Vs. Plastic is a polymer that has a large molecular mass. Plexiglas and Lexan are different materials: acrylic and polycarbonate, respectively. The differences start to appear when you look at tensile strength and impact resistance. Plexiglas is the original trade or brand name for this type of acrylic. In this lesson we will compare and contrast the physical and mechanical properties of each, as well as the uses of each. Fish tanks, reptile and other animal enclosures Polycarbonate panels are extensively used in a variety of applications. 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. Some of the main pros and cons of polycarbonate panels are listed below. However, plexiglass is so much cheaper that you can afford to get either thicker sheets or more pieces for the same price as glass. The acrylic is sometimes interchangeably called Plexiglass (the brand name). Differences Between Acrylic and Polycarbonate. Acrylic is a parent name that indicates the type of polymer used in its manufacturing. There are a lot of great eyeglass lenses in the market, but before you buy a pair, it is imperative to consider both their pros and cons. Polycarbonate (PC). Acrylic is less expensive than Polycarbonate. Reference: 1. Rodriguez, Ferdinand. 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. Polycarbonate sheet maintains glass-like clarity and is highly impact resistant and strong. Polycarbonate is a thermoplastic that is exceedingly tough, resistant to ultraviolet rays, and provides an attractive look. First off, it is important to note that both acrylic and polycarbonate backboards share quite a lot of similarities. Road Tankers. Polystyrene is stronger than budget materials (like PVC); it can withstand knocks and offers fair cable retention. Polycarbonate sound barrier installation. Polycarbonate is a type of plastic. Each exhibits particular advantageous and disadvantageous characteristics that make one or the other more appropriate to use in a given application. 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. Item #1697674. Compared with conventional concrete sound barrier, polycarbonate significantly decrease installation time and project cost. LEXAN is approximately 250 times stronger than glass. Anytime you are in the market for a new pair of eyeglasses, you are going to be provided with different options regarding the lens material. The term Plexiglass is more commonly used for this type of acrylic. This plastic sheeting is durable, heat resistant, and so impact resistant that some "bulletproof" glass is made of Lexan. Polycarbonate is yet another type of thermoplastic polymer used in manufacturing. The short answer is no, are they very similar, yes.The reason is that both Lexan® and Makrolon® are brand names, along with Hyzod®, Cyrolon®, Zelux®, Paltuf®, Tuffak®, Ensicar®, Unicar®, Texin®, Apex® and many more. Common Applications of Acrylic & Polycarbonate. Is Lexan® the same as Makrolon® or Polycarbonate?. Polycarbonate panels are finding use in an increa… In summary the benefits are: acrylic is stiffer, shinier, more scratch resistant and cheaper than polycarbonate which is bendier and virtually unbreakable. They provide different benefits (and drawbacks). So finding a reliable plastics distributor that can provide both types of sheets to you in order to meet all of these different needs. Product link URL Join Andy Joe Plastic Hero as he tests glass, acrylic and polycarbonate against the force of a baseball bat! As you might imagine, Polycarbonate is more expensive than Acrylic. Acrylic vs. Polycarbonate Before deciding whether acrylic or polycarbonate best suits your machining needs, it is important to understand the differences between the two plastics materials. … Polycarbonate is an incredibly useful plastic for applications requiring transparency and high impact resistance. Using Acrylic. Both materials cut well with a band saw or table saw using a high speed with small teeth. Plexiglas is a cell cast acrylic, so it has fewer impurities (tiny ripples or embedded specks). It is a clear plastic sheet that is flexible, splinterless, and sturdy. To begin with, they are both strong and durable plastic materials. Polycarbonate and acrylic are two plastics frequently used today. LEXAN polycarbonate sheet, 24 in. Our customers use acrylic plexiglass in commercial construction, home improvement projects, laser engraving, furniture making, merchandising, and other uses. 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