Acrylic vs. Polycarbonate
Polycarbonate and Acrylic are alike in several different ways, some of these being that both plastics weigh less than half the weight of what comparable sized glass sheets would weigh. So, for what you lose in weight, you will gain in strength. Both plastics have tremendous flexibility and are very easy to clean using the proper cleaning materials.
Benefits
| Acrylic | Polycarbonate |
|---|---|
| Roughly 17 times the impact resistance of glass | About 250 times the impact resistance of glass |
| Less likely to scratch | Less likely to break |
| Better UV resistance | Good chemical resistance |
| Has a high gloss finish and is more transparent, and shinier than Polycarbonate | Lighter in weight than even Acrylic |
| Less expensive than Glass and Polycarbonate | Much more impact resistance than Acrylic |
| Easier to polish | More flexible than Acrylic and can be bent cold |
| Can be polished for scratches and clean edges | Superior strength in transparent category |
| Long lasting clarity in the sunlight | Non-flammable, can be exposed to high temperatures |
| Can be heated, and molded into shape, then heated again while retaining its quality and appearance. | Can be drilled without cracking |
| Cuts easier than glass | |
| Better glue bonding than Polycarbonate |
Examples of Applications
| Acrylic | Polycarbonate |
|---|---|
| Window and glass substitutes | Bullet-resistant windows |
| Insulations | Window & glass substitute |
| Machine guards | Security windows |
| Camper windows | Greenhouse windows and roofs |
| Craft projects | Windshields (boats, motorcycles, & four-wheelers) |
| Signage | Machinery guards |
| Point-of-purchase displays | Sign materials |
| Residential and commercial aquariums | |
| Light covers |
Differences Types of Sheets
| Acrylic | Polycarbonate |
|---|---|
| Clear | Clear |
| Colored and Fluorescent | Colored |
| Light diffusing | Tinted |
| Mirrored | Mirrored |
| Bullet resistant | Bullet proof |
| Abrasion resistant | Abrasion resistant |
| Block/monolithic slabs | Flame retardant |
| Black and white | FDA approved |
| Rod, Tubing, & Profile also available | Multiwall- Greenhouse material |
| UV filtering and transmitting | UV Resistant (Sunlife Polycarbonate) |
| Anti-static and non-glare | Anti-static |
Cons of Polycarbonate
- Hard to glue
- More expensive than Acrylic
