So, what’s the difference between plexiglass vs acrylic? High level of impact resistance (17 times the impact resistance of glass) Greater resistance than polycarbonate against evenly distributed loads. Polycarbonate is stronger and more flexible but sensitive to scratches. Gluing with cements designed for acrylic and polycarbonate, acrylic gives a cleaner glue joint than polycarbonate. This clear plastic is typically more expensive than acrylic and polystyrene, but it is extremely strong. Acrylic sheet is easy to fabricate, bonds well with adhesives and solvents, and is easy to thermoform. Polycarbonate can be processed and manufactured in a wide variety of ways, such as extrusion, injection molding, blow molding, thermoforming, and more. These two types of plastics are oftentimes compared to one another because they are similar in appearance and the most frequently utilized see-through plastic materials on the market. Acrylic is less expensive than Polycarbonate. While they are often considered to be similar in materials and applications, they can be used for different things and have different benefits. Without getting too bogged down by the technical details, polycarbonate is produced by the reaction between bisphenol A and phosgene COCl2. Acrylic is a less expensive alternative to polycarbonate, but polycarbonate is stronger and better able to withstand heat and UV rays. Because they have a similar look and are both a see-through plastic material for use in windows and similar applications, many customers lump them together. The best choice for cleaning is a microfibre or 100-percent cotton cloths. Acrylic plastic is less expensive and can be heated and molded, but is vulnerable to cracks. Both acrylic and polycarbonate are easy to clean. Tighter bend radius adds stress to the acrylic sheet and may result in crazing or cracking of the material. But before we compare and contrast polycarbonate and acrylic sheeting in detail, let’s identify some well-known features that are unique to each material. Partnering with over 100 of the best plastic manufacturers. Each of the two have benefits and drawbacks. Acrylic vs. Polycarbonate Backboards. Polycarbonate is also widely used in architectural glazing for medical facilities, retail and government buildings, and transportation centers at risk from breakage and vandalism. Acrylic also has better clarity than glass, with a light transmittance of 92 percent. Sign in to access your web account. 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. Acrylic vs Polycarbonate vs Glass Backboards When purchasing a basketball goal the first thing you will notice is the differences in material. It has been widely used in medical industry, lenses manufacturing, automotive and packaging industry owing to its good chemical and weather resistance and excellent transparency. Cleaning. First off, it is important to note that both acrylic and polycarbonate backboards share quite a lot of similarities. Where security and safety is an issue, glass should be used because acrylic sheet is not resistant to heat and may even catch fire. Below, we break down the pros and cons of each and provide some common applications for each type of plastic. Contact us today and we will be happy to help you. When to use LEXAN vs Plexiglass Polycarbonate and acrylic are suitable for use in a variety of applications, some similar, and some very different. In summary the benefits are: acrylic is stiffer, shinier, more scratch resistant and cheaper than polycarbonate which is bendier and virtually unbreakable. Yes, both are great alternatives to using glass. Making the Correct Choice: Acrylic vs Polycarbonate Luminaire Lenses. Acrylic is a transparent plastic material with outstanding strength, stiffness, and optical clarity. Less expensive than polycarbonate. 1. He pointed out that my rad mount was made from polycarbonate (like they make riot shields from) which would be a good substitute for acrylic… Acrylic and polycarbonate both weigh less than half of what a comparably sized piece of glass weighs yet they are both much stronger than glass. The molds are then cooled, opened, and the resulting acrylic plastic sheets are either immediately used or further processed to improve the overall quality of the final product. Finally, glass is often used in places where safety is paramount and the temperature can rise. When it comes to clear backboards, two types you will commonly see are acrylic and polycarbonate. Both plastics are resilient materials in comparison to its glass counterparts. Gluing with cements designed for acrylic and polycarbonate, acrylic gives a cleaner glue joint than polycarbonate. Acrylic (PMMA): Acrylic is also well known for two principal characteristics. The comparison gives a clear idea of the right one to apply for a specific task. Even though each plastic can share the same form, they will function very differently. Costs Compare products, read reviews & get the best deals! Choosing one over the other depends entirely on the specifics of your application. *Double-15° notch. I buy, use and sell a significant amount of both products and each has its application. Comparing acrylic and polycarbonate is the safest way of determining the one to use for a project. This is then reacted with methyl alcohol to finally produce methyl methacrylate. The unique physical properties and manufacturing process of each plastic allows sheeting to be produced in a variety of forms specifically designed to fulfill both broad and narrow applications. Each sheet is made differently and with different materials, hence the difference in characteristics and price. Don’t misunderstand my preference for acrylic. 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. How to choose between acrylic and polycarbonate. Acrylic, a more rigid thermoplastic, is limited to bending 180-200 times its thickness. Fish tanks, reptile and other animal enclosures Both materials are also very easy to clean. Unauthorized use is strictly prohibited. Comparison of Lexan vs Plexiglass. Hammerglass® is another polycarbonate mainly used for security and against vandalism. Making the Correct Choice: Acrylic vs Polycarbonate Luminaire Lenses. The obvious place to start is the chemical structures and raw materials that make up these incredible plastics. It is 250 times stronger and just as clear as glass. These advantages include increased light filtration, impact resistance, increased strength, and improved weight and viscosity flow characteristics. When looking at polycarbonate roof sheeting vs acrylic roof sheeting, you will notice there are a number of different characteristics. Acrylic sheet can be saw cut, router cut and laser cut. Acrylic is more scratch resistant than standard (9034) polycarbonate. Difference Between Acrylic (Plexiglass) vs Polycarbonate (Lexan) Glass. One of the biggest differences between acrylic and polycarbonate is the cost. First, like polycarbonate, acrylic has very high transmissivity (it allows for the passage of light). Compared to glass, the strength of acrylic offers 10 times more resistance to impact than glass. , stiffness, and impact resistance of glass comparison to its brittle nature is to. Plastics with a wide variety of properties load bearing application is ideal for any application imagine, polycarbonate have... 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