Explore what to consider when choosing between the two. Difference Between Acrylic (Plexiglass) vs Polycarbonate (Lexan) Glass Acrylic (also known as Plexiglas) and Polycarbonate (also known as Lexan) are top popular clear plastics that are considered as eminent solutions for a broad range of visual applications. Acrylic sheet. However, there are a variety of ways that polycarbonate and acrylic can be formed, especially when creating plastic sheets with special qualities such as color, non-glare, anti-static, UV-filtering, and more. Acrylic vs. Polycarbonate. Acrylic is a transparent plastic mаtеrіаl wіth outstanding strength, ѕtіffnеѕѕ, and орtісаl сlаrіtу. Light & Clarity. It's more crispier. Both acrylic and polycarbonate can be cleaned more naturally and comfortably using a microfiber or a piece of cloth made from 10% cotton. Polycarbonate is generally more expensive than acrylic plexiglass. Molded plastic is usually found on cheap kiddie hoops, glass is usually found on higher-end hoops, and steel is usually found commercial hoops in public parks. In this lesson we will compare and contrast the physical and mechanical properties of each, as well as the uses of each. Have questions about acrylic or polycarbonate? Making the Correct Choice: Acrylic vs Polycarbonate Luminaire Lenses. Polycarbonate sheet has a UK Class 1 fire rating whereas acrylic has a UK Class 3 fire rating. Product link URL Join Andy Joe Plastic Hero as he tests glass, acrylic and polycarbonate against the force of a baseball bat! Most consumers do not understand the difference between these two types. When comparing polycarbonate vs acrylic plastic are they more similar than they are different? Each of the two have benefits and drawbacks. Cut-to-Size Clear Acrylic Sheet - Extruded, Cut-to-Size Fluorescent Color Acrylic Sheet - Cast. So there's so much more time and labor in acrylic and that's why it's so much more expensive. Acrylic is marketed under many trademark names such as Plexiglas, Lucite, Perspex, Policril, Gavrieli, Vitroflex, Limacryl, R-Cast, Per-Clax, Plazcryl, Acrylex, Acrylite, Acrylplast, Altuglas, Polycast, Oroglass, Optix. 1. Both acrylic and polycarbonate are clear plastic materials, so they are similar on several accounts, but differences exist between both of them. Polycarbonate offers five times the impact resistance of acrylic, which is the primary reason polycarbonate is chosen over acrylic for construction. That aside, both are very strong. Transparent plastic is typically categorized into two general types: polycarbonate and acrylic. In so much as I would like to bring some clarity to this issue. Before deciding whether acrylic or polycarbonate best suits your machining needs, it is important to understand the differences between the two plastics materials. Acrylic (PMMA) and polycarbonate (PC) are very similar plastics in the sense that both have high clarity, meaning the material is see-through like glass. Hammerglass® is another polycarbonate mainly used for security and against vandalism. It is 250 times stronger and just as clear as glass. Differences Between Acrylic and Polycarbonate Acrylic is a transparent plastic material with outstanding strength, stiffness, and optical clarity. As you might imagine, Polycarbonate is more expensive than Acrylic. While the form may be the same, you will find that a clear polycarbonate sheet and a clear acrylic sheet are vastly different due to the physical and chemical properties of the plastic. When it comes to producing polycarbonate sheets, however, the extrusion manufacturing process is most commonly utilized. Gluing with cements designed for acrylic and polycarbonate, acrylic gives a cleaner glue joint than polycarbonate. Please consider the following: All major hatch, portlight, and window manufacturers use Acrylic in offshore / bluewater marine products. Here are the different types of polycarbonate and acrylic sheeting available: Polycarbonate and acrylic share many of the same types of plastic sheeting options like clear, colored, mirrored, and more. Acrylic and polycarbonate are two of the most popular clear plastics. Lexan and Plexiglas are not specific names to generalize Acrylic and Polycarbonate. Phone: 1 (800) 227-4597 Damage resistance: Because both acrylic and polycarbonate are types of plastic they both boast impressive levels of resistance to forceful impacts and can hold their own against the majority of alternative materials. Polycarbonate is stronger than acrylic. Amongst the backboards, it is the most expensive, that is why it is rarely purchased in homes and places where basketball equipment are needed for fun. Costing up to 50% less than Polycarbonate mirrored sheeting, Acrylic sheeting is ideal for short term projects. Pros and Cons of Acrylic and PVC laminates … Polycarbonate and acrylic sheets both suitable options for common glass applications. Even though each plastic can share the same form, they will function very differently. Get the continuous … It's gotta have O rings put on it and then it has to go and be engraved. Here are the main points you'll be exploring in greater detail: Melting point of polycarbonate and acrylic POLYCARBONATE (LEXAN) VS ACRYLIC PLASTIC. Acrylic vs. Polycarbonate Backboards. Sign up for A&C Plastics Updates, Promotions, Less expensive than glass and polycarbonate, 92% light transmittance in all thicknesses (better clarity than glass), Insusceptible to yellowing or discoloration from the sun, Thermoplastic with a working temp of 180F continuous, 250x the impact resistance of glass and 30x stronger than acrylic, Less rigid and available in a variety of flexible grades, Thermoplastic with a working temp of 240F continuous, Highly resistant to acids and other chemicals such as gasoline, Sheets can be drilled without worry of cracking. Acrylic also has better clarity than glass, with a light transmittance of 92 percent. The continuous method of bulk polymerization is quicker and less labor intensive because this method is specifically used for creating acrylic plastic sheets with thinner thicknesses and smaller widths than batch cell can produce. Acrylic and polycarbonate are very useful plastics with a wide variety of properties. It's more cleaner. A pre-drying process is required when forming polycarbonate. When it comes to their appearance, both are generally clear and look very similar to one another from afar. Hammerglass® is another polycarbonate mainly used for security and against vandalism. Common Applications of Acrylic & Polycarbonate. Another popular brand name for Polycarbonate is Makrolon®, owned by Bayer. … These are the most common methods for creating these polymers. Before we can properly analyze Plexiglass vs Lexan, their benefits and drawbacks. It won’t begin to lose that strength and durability that it has today! Also, be sure to check out our complete acrylic and polycarbonate product lines. 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. Batch cell is the most common form of bulk polymerization because it is effective at making acrylic sheets in thicknesses from 0.06 to 6.0 inches and widths from 3 feet to several hundred feet. Acrylic is a great alternative to polycarbonate and in many ways offers a similar but more advanced experience, depending on your needs. Acrylic is more scratch resistant than standard (9034) polycarbonate. On the other hand, polycarbonate is by far the superior choice for high-security applications. I buy, use and sell a significant amount of both products and each has its application. Fish tanks, reptile and other animal enclosures; Retail point of purchase (or product) displays; Hockey rink glass ; … Polycarbonate is the option to go for if you want an almost unbreakable clear plastic sheet. Explore what to consider when choosing between the two. It has superior weathering properties compared to many other transparent plastics. The rebound of the tempered glass backboard is an amazing thing everyone would like to experience. Another popular brand name for Polycarbonate is Makrolon®, owned by Bayer. So, what’s the difference between plexiglass vs acrylic? Strength: The polycarbonate is stronger than the acrylic. 0. Acrylic Mirrors are easy to work with; they can be cut with a knife, scriber or jigsaw and may also be drilled with care. The characteristics of polycarbonate compare to those of polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA, acrylic), but polycarbonate is stronger and will hold up longer to extreme temperature. Plexiglass is often also referred to as acrylic. Second, acrylic is extremely scratch resistant. Polycarbonate is sold under the trade names Lexan® and Makrolon® and is used in various applications. 0. 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. Gluing with cements designed for acrylic and polycarbonate, acrylic gives a cleaner glue joint than polycarbonate. However, after … They’re both frequently used in applications requiring a see-through material which is stronger than glass, such as aquariums, storm window linings, glasses, computer screens, and more. Acrylic vs Polycarbonate Lighting Fixture Lens Request for Quote Contact Us When choosing a protective lighting lens fixture, it is important to compare the material benefits of both acrylic and polycarbonate materials before finalizing any decisions. Price of Acrylic vs. Polycarbonate. When to use LEXAN vs Plexiglass. Here is the much awaited comparison between the most commonly used clear products in the industry, Acrylic & Polycarbonate. Using a process known as bulk polymerization, the monomer (methyl methacrylate) and the catalyst (typically organic peroxide) are poured into a mold, which is sealed and heated to produce the reaction that forms the acrylic plastic polymer. Polycarbonate is sold under the trade names Lexan® and Makrolon® and is used in various applications. If glass is slightly too fragile, expensive, or difficult to machine, then clear acrylic is often the best choice. Acrylic is shinier and polycarb is stronger. Thinner acrylic sheets can be cured in 10 to 12 hours, but thicker sheets may require several days of cure time. Below, we break down the pros and cons of each and provide some common applications for each type of plastic. Sheet grade polycarbonate (aka Lexan or Makrolon) and acrylic sheet (aka Lucite) are two of the most frequently used see-through plastics. The Applicational Benefits of Polycarbonate Sheets, Can be polished, both for scratches and clean edges, Less expensive than polycarbonate by as much as 35%, More flexible than acrylic; can be shaped at room temperature, Can be exposed to high temperatures and is non-flammable, Lighter in weight than comparable acrylic, More likely to crack during drilling or upon impact, More translucent than transparent as compared to acrylic. Generally speaking, acrylic sheeting is shinier and polycarbonate sheet is stronger. These advantages include increased light filtration, impact resistance, increased strength, and improved weight and viscosity flow characteristics. It can withstand greater force against it. Polycarbonate is sometimes called Lexan®, which is a trademark by Sabic. The benefits listed above for polycarbonate are a strong selling point however, Acrylic offers even more in the way of flexibility and choice. Acrylic and Lexan, a branded name for polycarbonate sheeting, are both durable and flexible materials, often compared to one another because both are transparent and both stand as two of the most frequently utilized types of see-through plastics. When shopping for a basketball backboard you will discover many different materials that basketball backboards are made of. Acrylic has a low chemical resistance and needs more specific cleaners. During this process, the polycarbonate sheet can be produced with colors, high or low glosses, smooth or textured surfaces, and in single or multiple layers. September 11, 2020; Glass Genius; Total. Polycarbonate has a glass transition temperature of about 147 °C (297 °F), so it softens gradually above this point and … Product link URL Join Andy Joe Plastic Hero as he tests glass, acrylic and polycarbonate against the force of a baseball bat! Acrylic vs Polycarbonate vs Glass Backboards When purchasing a basketball goal the first thing you will notice is the differences in material. Their drawbacks are: acrylic can crack/shatter under impact and polycarbonate is easier to scratch. Polycarbonate is sometimes called Lexan (trademarked name by GE Plastics) or Makrolon. To begin the process, raw resin (polycarbonate pellets) is fed into an extruder and melted to the desired temperature. To help choose the right material for your sheet, rod, or tube, here are a few ideal applications for each plastic: Your one stop plastics center for any brand, any shape, any product. This is then reacted with methyl alcohol to finally produce methyl methacrylate. Polycarbonate vs. Acrylic: 7 Key Factors to Consider Polycarbonate and acrylic sheets both suitable options for common glass applications. Polycarbonate Vs Acrylic: Which is Stronger? To begin with, they are both strong and durable plastic materials. You could leave acrylic to soak up those rays for days, weeks, months, or even years on end. For situations where a buyer is price sensitive, acrylic panels will stand out. First, like polycarbonate, acrylic has very high transmissivity (it allows for the passage of light). Polycarbonate is definitely the stronger of the two, partly due to the fact that polycarbonate plastic is much more flexible than acr ylic plastic. 0. Polycarbonate is far more impact resistant than acrylic but easier to scratch - polycarbonate is virtually unbreakable. Acrylic is less expensive than Polycarbonate. Acrylaat vs Polycarbonaat Acrylaat wordt vaak vergeleken met polycarbonaat - een ander soort transparante kunststof - dat soms gebruikt wordt om lasten te dragen. 0:54 Acrylic has gotta be turned out on a CNC machine. Price of Acrylic vs. Polycarbonate. Acrylic and Lexan, a branded name for polycarbonate sheeting, are both durable and flexible materials, often compared to one another because both are transparent and both stand as two of the most frequently utilized types of see-through plastics.Acrylic and polycarbonate both weigh half as much as glass and yet both plastics are much more shatter resistant. First, we must understand manufacturing of both, like, what materials they are made of, what they are mostly used for, how they may be similar, and how they differentiate? No matter which is chosen, be sure to take into account the special cleaning … The melted polycarbonate material is then forced through a die that is shaped to produce flat sheets of various lengths, widths, and thicknesses with uniform cross-sections. If you set up polycarbonate vs acrylic plastic in an arena, there would be a clear winner. Plastic is synthesized from petrochemicals. If you set up polycarbonate vs acrylic plastic in an arena, there would be a clear winner. 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. Of the two, polycarbonate has higher impact resistance and is used in bulletproofing applications. First, we must understand manufacturing of both, like, what materials they are made of, what they are mostly used for, how they may be similar, and how they differentiate? Read on to discover which type of window would be best for your needs. What is Acrylic Plastic and What is it Used For? Polycarbonate. When acrylic was created in the early 1900s, one of the products produced with it was registered under the name Plexiglas. Polycarbonate is a polymer of a carbonate group and bisphenol. Polycarbonate vs Acrylic We’ve seen how polycarbonate is used and the many applications it’s used in but as with any building or production material, there is always an alternative. While it depends on the final product and volume, Polycarbonate is generally 30-40% more expensive than Acrylic. Polycarbonate Mirror also comes in sheet form. Difference Between Acrylic (Plexiglass) vs Polycarbonate (Lexan) Glass Acrylic (also known as Plexiglas) and Polycarbonate (also known as Lexan) are top popular clear plastics that are considered as eminent solutions for a broad range of visual applications. Polycarbonate sheet has a UK Class 1 fire rating whereas acrylic has a UK Class … The Benefits of Acrylic Panels . I spend inordinate amounts of time discussing the pros and cons of acrylic and polycarbonate. So finding a reliable plastics distributor that can provide both types of sheets to you in order to meet all of these different needs. Methyl methacrylate is typically created by reacting acetone with sodium cyanide to produce acetone cyanohydrin. Don’t misunderstand my preference for acrylic. Acrylic sheet, which is also known as polymethyl methacrylate sheet (PMMA), is made from a derivative of natural gas and trades under the name Perspex® along with other brand names. Cleaning. Using Acrylic. The best choice for cleaning is a microfibre or 100-percent cotton cloths. Both have benefits and drawbacks. When it comes to clear backboards, two types you will commonly see are acrylic and polycarbonate. Gluing with cements designed for acrylic and polycarbonate, acrylic gives a cleaner glue joint than polycarbonate. They mostly suit the … We are open & shipping products during the COVID-19 pandemic. Acrylic sheet is easy to fabricate, bonds well with adhesives and solvents, and is easy to thermoform. Second, acrylic is extremely scratch resistant. Sign Up for Our Newsletter to Receive Special Offers, Acrylic UV-Filtering OP3 Frame Grade Clear Sheet, Acrylic UV-Filtering OP3 Non-Glare P99 Frame Grade Clear Sheet, Acrylic Non-Glare P99 Frame Grade Clear Sheet, Twinwall and Multiwall Polycarbonate Sheets, Comparing the Physical Properties of Plastic, Polishing, Beveling & Rounding Acrylic Edges, Polycarbonate & Acrylic Greenhouse Panels. Both materials are also very easy to clean. Acrylic versus polycarbonate Polycarbonate (trade name Lexan, Makrolon) is a transparent plastic, which competes with acrylic. Choosing one over the other depends entirely on the specifics of your application. Polycarbonate is sometimes called Lexan (trademarked name by GE Plastics) or Makrolon. Both polycarbonate and acrylic are stronger and lighter than glass, but both scratch more easily. The best choice for cleaning is a microfibre or 100-percent cotton cloths. Polycarbonate VS Acrylic: Custom Material Comparison – Acrylic Strength Although acrylic has absolutely nothing on polycarbonate when it comes to strength characteristics, at a small scale, I’d argue it’s actually totally fine for use in key chains and other items where yes, it can break but at a quarter inch in thickness and more, it’s actually pretty resilient. Can be bent without running the risk of breaking. Acrylic has a low chemical resistance and needs more specific cleaners. There are various chemical differences between Polycarbonate sheets (manufactured by companies such as Lexan and Makrolon), and Acrylic sheets, but two of the main differences are the strength and fire rating. Batch cell and continuous bulk polymerization are the two methods used to create acrylic plastic sheets. Is acrylic better than polycarbonate? Save Saved Removed 1. … You can keep learning about the two plastics in the lesson called Polycarbonate vs. Acrylic. It hаѕ ѕuреrіоr wеаthеrіng рrореrtіеѕ соmраrеd tо many оthеr trаnѕраrеnt рlаѕtісѕ. On the other hand, acrylic is made by synthesizing methyl methacrylate. Polycarbonate Mirrors. Before we can properly analyze Plexiglass vs Lexan, their benefits and drawbacks. Acrylic vs Polycarbonate. Both polycarbonate sheets vs. acrylic sheets offer a ton of benefits over glass and other transparent materials. Polycarbonate sheets can cost on average about 35% more than acrylic. Acrylic is less expensive but easier to crack. Now that you’ve had a quick look at the key differences between acrylic and polycarbonate, let’s take the time to understand why each material possesses these special properties and capabilities. 0. Acrylic is often compared to polycarbonate, another transparent polymer sometimes used for bearing loads. Polycarbonate is definitely the stronger of the two, partly due to the fact that … Polycarbonate has 250 times the impact resistance of glass. There are five total basketball backboard materials. Shares. Our expansive warehouse and manufacturing facility combined with experienced personnel assure that you receive the service and prices that you deserve. Acrylic has a low chemical resistance and needs more specific cleaners. As we mentioned with polycarbonate, the UV lighting problem here does not exist. Below we detail the similarities and differences of each kind of plastic. Acrylic and Polycarbonate are both half the weight of a comparably sized piece of glass and yet both plastics are much stronger than glass providing much greater imoact resistance. Unlike the polycarbonate and acrylic, the tempered glass is not made of plastic which puts it on an entirely different level. Variety of Colors. Polycarbonaat word ook wel Lexan® genoemd, een handelsmerk van Sabic. The molded acrylic sheets are then cured. Acme has a proud heritage of customer service and reliability since 1943. Molded plastic Acrylic Polycarbonate; Glass Steel; However, by far the most common materials are acrylic and polycarbonate. Polycarbonate is sometimes called Lexan®, which is a trademark by Sabic. Our Polycarbonate sheet offers a level of safety that no other clear glazing material can match. Acrylic is also easier to crack, while polycarbonate is easier to scratch. But when compared to each other, acrylic has a huge color pallet, which is not the same in the polycarbonate. Cleaning. Acrylic sheet, which is also known as polymethyl methacrylate sheet (PMMA), is made from a derivative of natural gas and trades under the name Perspex® along with other brand names. Today, a number of manufacturers create plexiglass acrylic products sold under brand names including Acrylite, Crylux, Lucite and Perspex. The polycarbonate exhibits around 30 times more resistance to the force. Max September 23, 2019 156 Views. 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