Tough and durable, polycarbonate plastic is significantly stronger than plate glass and acrylic plastic. Polycarbonate plastics are a lightweight and economical glazing material that provides increased protection against high-traffic use, vandalism, and theft. Polycarbonate plastic is more dimensionally stable than acrylic over a wide temperature range.. Shop from our polycarbonate sheets, tubes, and rods below. Custom sizing available.
What is Polycarbonate Plastic?
Polycarbonate plastic is a tough, transparent material known for its remarkable impact resistance, exceeding that of glass and many other plastics. It’s a thermoplastic polymer that becomes pliable at a certain heating point and solidifies upon cooling.
This material boasts exceptional clarity, making it an ideal substitute for glass in applications where transparency and safety are crucial. Its light transmission is comparable to glass, yet it is virtually unbreakable.
Its versatility extends to being easily molded and shaped, allowing for a wide range of applications, from eyewear lenses to bulletproof windows. Polycarbonate can be produced in various colors and finishes, accommodating diverse design preferences.
What are the Benefits of Polycarbonate?
Polycarbonate is celebrated for its unmatched impact resistance. It’s significantly more resistant to breakage than glass, enhancing safety in public spaces and reducing the risk of injury.
The material’s excellent clarity ensures that it does not yellow over time, preserving its aesthetic appeal in applications requiring transparency, such as skylights or protective barriers.
Polycarbonate’s lightweight nature makes it an asset in construction and manufacturing, allowing for more straightforward transportation and installation while still providing structural integrity.
It offers superior UV resistance, protecting against sunlight degradation. This feature extends the lifespan of products exposed to harsh outdoor environments, making it an ideal choice for outdoor signage and architectural features.
Furthermore, polycarbonate is easily workable. It can be drilled, cut, and formed at room temperature without cracking or breaking, offering flexibility in design and application.
This plastic also provides good thermal insulation compared to glass, contributing to energy efficiency in buildings and vehicles where it’s used as glazing material.
With its combination of durability, safety, and versatility, polycarbonate meets the demands of numerous industries, making it a preferred material for innovative and practical applications.
What is Polycarbonate Plastic Used For?
Due to its high strength, polycarbonate plastic has a wide range of use cases. This includes protective gear, exterior lighting fixtures, bullet-resistant applications, furniture installations, sports goods, medical industries, and more. Without any protective coatings, polycarbonate only resists 10% of UV rays, which is ideal for plant life and greenhouses. Below are some additional common use cases:
- Roofing panels
- Windows
- Siding
Does polycarbonate break easily?
Polycarbonate, a thermoplastic material is impact and shatter resistant. The key factor to consider is the polycarbonate’s thickness. Polycarbonate panels, polycarbonate sheets, and polycarbonate rods easily bend via hot and cold methods for a variety of uses yet breakage is rare. That’s why polycarbonate is chosen over its fragile glass counterparts in construction projects where safety, optical clarity, and durability are mandatory – schools, hospitals, environmental sustainability (especially in harsh weather locales). Contact our team with any questions.
