Both Polycarbonate and Acrylic (perspex) are clear sheets of plastic and are available in varying thicknesses.
The main difference is impact strength and this is turn dictates the application of the material.
If you had both materials available and given the choice, you would use Polycarbonate for a clear, protective screen in a ticket or cash booth. You would also use Polycarbonate for a machine guard - where you have a clear panels over moving parts etc. It is designed to be virtually unbreakable and is approximately 200 times stronger than glass. It is not suitable for food contact, therefore you woudl not sue it as a cover at a deli counter.
Acrylic glass, commonly called perspex or plexiglass, is also clear and is regarded as having higher clarity than polycarbonate. It is used predominantly in retail and signage applications, giving a hi gloss clear finish to surfaces.
You often see it used as shelving for foot wear or for the presentation of jewelry and also in more day to day applications like glazing, picture frames and even some shed windows.
The application is always important and in a conversation with our staff, we'll usually ask you "what's it being used for?". We are not being nosy! - it's just to ensure we can give you the right material for the job you are doing.
|
PROPERTIES (Polycarbonate)
|
PROPERTIES (Acrylic)
|
| Product Brochure | Product Brochure |
|
Impact resistance: 200 times stronger than glass (virtually unbreakable) |
Impact resistance: 60 times stronger than glass (very strong) |
| Weight: half the weight of glass, at the same thickness | Weight: half the weight of glass, at the same thickness |
Sheet size available:
|
Sheet size available:
|