Acrylic (plexiglass) and polycarbonate (lexan) are clear, colorful materials that can be easily scratched. Lexan has a higher level of impact resistance (250 times the impact resistance of glass) and is less rigid than acrylic, making it a more affordable option. However, it is also “virtually unbreakable” as it is 250 times more impact resistant than glass.
One of the main advantages of acrylic is its optical clarity, which can transmit up to 92% of visible light, compared to about 80% with glass. These panels, which look and function like glass windows, are made of a combination of polycarbonate, acrylics, and other plastic resins. The combined strength and durability of these materials make them ideal for outdoor applications.
Plexiglass is more shatter-resistant but scratches easily due to its thick plastic nature. Glass, on the other hand, is harder and doesn’t scratch as easily, making it easier to break into large chunks or pieces. Polycarbonate panels, with their combined strength and durability, are considered unbreakable and impenetrable solutions.
Acrylic glass is more shatter-resistant but can be scratched easily due to its thick plastic nature. It can be made up to 33cm thick and still remain strong. It is also inherently UV resistant, meaning it won’t deteriorate due to UV exposure, making it an excellent choice for outdoor applications.
In conclusion, both acrylic and plexiglass are clear and come in various colors. While they may not be unbreakable, they offer a superior solution for doors and windows.
📹 Acrylic vs Polycarbonate (aka Lexan vs Plexiglas)
Here is the much awaited comparison between the most commonly used clear products in the industry, Acrylic & Polycarbonate.
Can acrylic be left outside?
Acrylic plastic, particularly clear acrylic sheets, is ideal for outdoor use due to its weather resistance, ability to withstand high levels of UV light, extreme cold, and saltwater without compromising structural integrity. It can also withstand heat, withstanding temperatures of 180F without sagging. Acrylic plastic also resists scratches and dents more effectively than other types of plastic, making it a great replacement for glass.
Clear acrylic sheets are commonly used as basketball hoops backboards or in plexiglass windows for play areas. However, brightly colored outdoor structures should use an alternate plastic due to direct sunlight fading and the need for stronger or more heat-resistant plastic depending on the application.
How well does acrylic hold up outside?
Acrylic is a durable and long-lasting material that can withstand high levels of UV light, sea sprays, and temperature changes without showing signs of wear. Its longevity is also noteworthy, as it can retain its integrity for up to 30 years outdoors, making it ideal for garden structures. However, coloured acrylic behaves slightly differently, showing signs of wear more quickly under direct sunlight. Despite this, its vibrancy and ability to resist dirt and mold are commendable. Overall, acrylic is a versatile and durable material that can withstand various environmental conditions.
What are the disadvantages of acrylic?
Acrylic boards are a popular choice for projects due to their lightweight, durable, and easy-to-clean properties. However, they are prone to scratches and can show marks from regular usage. They also lack heat resistance and are difficult to repair. Additionally, they are not heat-resistant. To make an informed decision, it is essential to understand the advantages and disadvantages of acrylic boards before using them in your project. By understanding these factors, you can make an informed choice for your project.
Can acrylic break easily?
Artificial nails require thoroughness from nail specialists and caution from guests. Poorly constructed nails can easily break off, and common causes include overfilling and omission of degreasing preparation fluid. The condition of natural nails is also crucial, as thin, weak nails can cause issues with adhesion and building. Improper preparation is a common cause, and cleaning natural nails of dirt, grease, and oils is essential before building artificial nails. Proper and thorough preparation is the key to creating strong, long-lasting artificial nails that don’t come off.
Can acrylic be see through?
Acrylic paint is known for its exceptional versatility, offering an infinite range of textures from opaque to transparent. Its fast drying properties can be extended by adding a retarder medium, allowing for longer painting times. When used like oils, acrylic paint produces stunning results and is odorless, with a shorter drying time. This versatile paint is ideal for those who enjoy taking their time.
Does acrylic plastic crack easily?
Lexan Polycarbonate Sheeting, also known as Lexan or Makrolon, is a rigid material with superior impact resistance and durability. It can crack easily during drilling, chip, and soften at 195 degrees Fahrenheit. Despite its higher cost than acrylic, the extra investment may be worth it for its high level of resistance, flexibility, and ability to handle temperatures up to 240 degrees Fahrenheit. It is also highly resistant to acids and chemicals like gasoline, making it suitable for drilling without fear of cracking.
Is acrylic plastic see through?
Acrylic (PMMA) is a transparent and rigid thermoplastic material used as a shatterproof replacement for glass. It is optically clear, UV stable, and exhibits glass-like quality at half the weight with up to 10 times the impact resistance. It is easily shaped, glued, and polished, and has excellent scratch resistance. Common applications include automotive trim, protective cases, lenses, light fixtures, signage, and POP displays.
Polyethylene Terephthalate Glycol (PETG) is a durable, virtually unbreakable, and affordable thermoplastic polyester. It is thermoformable, vacuum-formable, and can tolerate high pressure without cracking. PETG is softer than acrylic and has lower scratch resistance. Common applications include POP displays, store fixtures, interior images, and exhibits. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, PETG plastics have been used for medical face masks and plastic protective barriers in schools, offices, restaurants, and other public spaces.
Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) is a high-strength thermoplastic material that is economical and versatile. It is the world’s third-largest thermoplastic material by volume after polyethylene and polypropylene. PVC is fire and mold resistant, fire and mold resistant, and can be easily thermoformed, shaped, and cut in various styles. However, it has poor heat stability, low continuous service temperature, and is more prone to cracking.
PVC is commonly used in booths, enclosures, containers, corrosion control equipment, and desktop partitions. It is ideal for industrial applications like barriers, wet-process guards, and safety glazing. Common brands of PMMA include Plexiglas®, Excelon, Futurplast, OPTIX, and Polycast.
What is the strongest transparent plastic?
Polycarbonate Polycarbonate is a superior choice for impact strength, being 200 times stronger than glass and 10 times stronger than acrylic. It is the best choice for transparent and light-transmitting plastic sheets, as they have unique strengths. Both acrylic and polycarbonate are considered the best clear plastics available, offering advantages in manufacturing projects. Understanding the specific strengths of each type is crucial for selecting the best plastic for your specific needs.
Is acrylic as clear as glass?
Clear acrylic, which can be up to 33cm thick, is optically clearer than standard plate glass, with up to 92 light-independent layers. This glass-effect is preferred in retail displays, shower screens, and other applications where the edge of the material is visible. The manufacturing process involves adding a small amount of green dye to the resin before it is extruded, resulting in a glass-like tinge when viewed through the edge. A shower screen is an ideal example of clear glass-effect acrylic, as it combines the lightweight and shatterproof properties of plastic with the aesthetic appeal of glass.
Is acrylic plastic unbreakable?
Acrylic is a durable material that is 10 times more impact resistant than glass, making it popular for commercial buildings. Its versatility allows it to be used in various applications such as skylights, retail signage, aquariums, and protective barriers. Acrylic plastic is used for its strength, longevity, and clarity, making it suitable for a variety of applications, including commercial windows, retail signage, displays, and protective barriers for manufacturing. Its lower price point makes it a cost-effective choice for various applications.
How do you make acrylic not see through?
In order to enhance the opacity of acrylic paint, it is recommended to incorporate a modest quantity of white pigment, specifically Titanium White, as it is the most opacity-rich white color.
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Sunroom Expand your space and create another room for your restaurant or home where you can see the beauty of every season …
Thanks for the informative article! I’m interested in making a dining table, with either of these products or something else as the table top, so weight would be put on it. I intend to use the same products as pseudo legs, on either end of the table, so the center might not have center support (unless I added another support of the same in the center). Which of these would work to support the weight of being leaned on, and weight of dishes, etc? Or, do you know of a better product?
I used 1/8″ custom cut acrylic and pre-drilled tiny holes then used tiny screws to attach as a protective layer over colored vinyl which was applied on top of a wood surface. However it ended up being too thick and I couldn’t get the screws to sink in level so even the small #4 screw heads stick up and are unsightly. So I ordered polycarbonate sheeting instead, both 1/32″ and 1/16″. Screwing that thin a material seems like overkill to attach for the 1/32″ and I was wondering if I could instead simply use 1/4″ staples from a powered staple gun for 1/32″ (and maybe even 1/16″ too)? Will the staples penetrate thru the polycarbonate at that thickness and then into the vinyl and wood? I could use glue or double sided tape but I don’t want it to show thru the clear polycarbonate (even clear glue and clear double-sided tape may show I fear).
Very informative, except for one important characteristic … scratch resistance. This is an important feature when the product will be frequently handled or cleaned. In this regard, polycarbonate (Lexan) is more delicate than acrylic (PlexiGlass). Both are more delicate than glass, which is very forgiving.
This was very informative! thank you for taking the time to put it together. I had started doing research into the different types of materials for construction on a project I wanted to build. I picked up bits and pieces of info here and there, but not nearly the extent of different qualities you touched on. In was mainly researching glue choices as a place to start, but your article brought up other things I might not have even thought about until after I bought some materials and started to “experiment”.
I was hoping you’d cover the subject of “cast acrylic” vs “non-cast acrylic”. Apparently, when cutting non-cast acrylic with a band saw, the material can melt and actually melt itself back together once the blade has cut it. How can one determine which type of acrylic it is when purchasing? Thank you!
This was a WONDERFUL explanation of the 2 materials! Sure one can look at material parameters, but that does not really translate directly into real world applications. You could make a whole materials series comparing different materials in the exact same way and it would be a hit! (IMHO Of course!)
I’ve been up all night researching and learning SO MUCH about different metals, materials, and elements ( to decide between a polycarbonate/aluminum combination or a premium stainless steel (for a watch, but also for my knowledge!:D)), and this article was very informative and easy to follow with my only-so-extensive knowledge of science. Nonstop data and unbiased material and it wasn’t boring at all! Thanks! P.s. if you have any advice/opinion on the pc+aluminum vs stainless steel I will gladly take any and all of it
I came to your article by accident…I enjoyed very much, this raised a question. I am building dust extractor “conical” cyclone. main body is made of 3.0mm PC and I have to join a 100mm Dia acrylic tube true and glue it … and seal it. I have overlapped the conical cyclone and used glue thin liquid supplied my the PC merchant, NO 1 HELP in between to join it, which is coming apart. How can I join it. Second I used acrylic joining cement came in a tube to join ad seal in between, this is coming apart also Help no2 What can I do??????. Hope you can help, remember I am in Australia and not in USA??? Kind regards Jack Marashlian.
This is a very informative article. I have a covid shield that was tossed in the trash. It’s about 3×2′ with holes drilled into the corners that accepted bolts into an aluminum frame. It’s dark around the edges. Idk if it’s acrylic or pc. If it is pc…I’d like to test what you say about it’s strength. It’s only an 8th inch thick. But if it’s as strong as you lead on….it’ll easily deflect airsoft and paint balls. Right? Also if anyone can answer me this….what do I clean these materials with? I know windex makes acrylic foggy….I work on boats. Most center consoles with a windshield are made of acrylic.
Hi, I need to do a drop test of PET bottle of filled 2litre, which would drop at a height of max 1.8m on to a chrome plate, but the chrome plate would be enclosed with say toughened glass with aluminium frame on the sides surrounding the plate to avoid spillage in case the bottle bursts or leaks. 2 high speed cameras are installed on the outside to focus n calculate deformation images. Is it good to use a acrylic glass or polycarbonate instead of glass when it comes to refraction for camera lens
HELLO.. I FIND UR EXPLANATION VERY GOOD.. N IV BEEN D PERSON ACTUALLY IMPORTING LEXAN SHEETS TO MALAYSIA FOR MY PROJECT FOR HOUSE RENOVATION. AS USUAL IM ALWAYS HAVING NEW IDEA’S WHERE PPL. DONT USE OR WORK ON WITH BUILDING MATERIALS. YES.. I’M. FOR PC N ACRYLIC WHERE APPLICABLE. I HAVE LOTS MORE IDEA’S BUT DEPENDS ON WHO HIRES ME FOR MY PROMO N MARKETING..
Watching this as I’m looking for glass alternative for floor to celing doors to be installed in my upcoming project. I’m planning to purchase those generic modular container homes and to convert one side into double doors with acrylic. Perhaps I’ll add an off market uv film. I’m really trying not to break the bank for this project 😅
Very informative. You went right where I was hoping, to the machine ability of the materials. However I was hoping you’d address the CO2 laser cutting. How well are they with insulation at say 20 kv? I understand PC is better for insulation, but how much? I sometimes need a high voltage enclosure for things like voltage dividers…. Thanks, it’s still worth perusal… Take care. (8′)
UV = Acryllic generally always better Clarity = Acryllic better and edges can be polished clear Range, colors = Acryllic up to blocks 500mm, PC 15mm, Acryllics has also more colors Strength = PC 100x straonger than glass. Acryllic 10x stronger than glass Strength = PC stronger and better drilling holes, Thermability = Acryllic wins Flexibility = PC wins. Acryllic flexible to a limit then it cracks Fire certification = PC slightly better Bonding = Acryllic has many options. PC dont have many stable glues Price = Acryllic is cheaper??
Thank you very much for your informative article. I am considering replacing single pane glass windows with double glazed homemade acrylic units. The house is in the west of Ireland with high winds and rain for most of the year. Do you think it’s a suitable material to use and what life expectancy should I expect? Thanks
Thank you so much for this article. I’m doing some glass projects, one being a living room window and the other being a 4×4 Green house window. I now know what I want to use for both these projects. I knew the poly was stronger so I chose it for the living room project @ 3/8″ thick. The Sun Garden window I”ll do in 1/4 ” Acrylic. You gave me all the missing info I needed, even after I did my research. Thanks.
Great article, but would have liked an environmental / health comparison. Trying to figure out if Acryllic is OK for a drinking water tank I’ve read plastic materials can have toxic emissions (BPA is known, but the BPS substitute can be as bad or worse) There doesnt seem to be much info about anything except BPA/BPA-free. Also interested if there’s a difference in terms of recyclability
Glad I found this. Thank you! I am in the process of designing a hard spray-hood for a sailboat. I want it to be clear or lightly tainted. Alone the fact that acrylic is hereby mentioned as the best UV protected of both, makes is a winner. Secondly, the fact that chemical bonding will be best with Acrylic, I am very inclined to go with it. But I have a question for the expert! 🙂 What is the best way to cut curved lines on Acrylic? I have tried cutting and installing plexiglass sheets as windows years ago. It was hell to drill through and a few of the holes ended up with short cracks. I would like to avoid that, this time. But I am definitely going with Acrylic. Thanks for the very informative comparison.
Literally all the info… besides the numbers I’d need. Not a single word is said about materials’ weight. It was stated what is the biggest thickness for both materials is awailable, but what about the smallest? Say, I needed a 0.5mm (or thinner) non-transparent (but light-conductive) white sheet and I needed it to be as light and cheap as possible – what are my options? The price correlation may also vary between countries and sometimes PC can be cheaper.
How can you tell the difference between the two just visually? I have a smoked color wind shield on my motorcycle that I’d like to form a bend on the lip of the piece to kick air up and over my head! Any information would be greatly appreciated, wonderfully done and informative article sir. Thank you…
1mm or 1.5mm PC can be used just like sheet metal. You can bend or cut to shapes, drill, screw or revit them without any issues. And best of all, with proper structural design, you can create very strong products with PC, that are very thin and light weight. In my opinion, PC is better to use for personal projects.
Feature Acrylic (Plexiglass) Polycarbonate (Lexan) ——————————————————————————————————————————– Reliability Better\t Clarity\t Better\t Range (Thickness / Color)\t Better\t Strength\t\t Better Workability\t\t Better Thermoforming\t Better\t Flexibility\t\t Better Fire Cert\t\t Better Bonding\t Better\t Price\t Better Scratch Resistance Better
With regard to clarity, this is very misleading. Polycarbonate has an Abbe value of 29.9 (chromatic dispersion city!) while Acrylic has an extraordinarily high Abbe value of 55.3 coming within a hair’s length of Crown Glass and CR-39 (Columbia Resin 39), from which eyeglass lenses with the best possible optics and clarity are presently manufactured. This horrible optical clarity is the very reason why polycarbonate is not sold in high thicknesses, the horrible optics become very visible.
The title of the article Acrylic vs Polycarbonate (aka Lexan vs Plexiglas) is confusing. It may be inaccurate from a grammatical standpoint as well, but I’m not an expert on English writing structure. I don’t think its a good idea to sequence examples of items differently than the sequence of the items which they are referencing. Bottom line is this would be less confusing “Acrylic vs Polycarbonate (aka Plexiglas vs Lexan)” or conversely “Polycarbonate vs Acrylic (aka Lexan vs Plexiglas)”. Either way… Thanks
im building a table for my pc and the sheet i need for the table top is 24″x33″. ill be using 8 3/4″ stand offs to give the table top a floating look. on the 33″ side the stand offs will be sitting at 4″ away from the corner and i have no idea which one to go with for a 70 pound pc to sit on. the sheet would be 1/2″ thick so im wondering if i can use acrylic without worry of breaking cause all the weight is supported on those 8 3/4″ stand offs
Are you saying “15” or “50”mm is the max thickness of PC? I have big sheets that were used for bank teller protection. They range in thickness from 30 to 32mm. Is there a way tell for sure if they are acrylic or PC? I would think a bank would not want acrylic since these sheets were supposed to protect from gunfire.
I’m trying to decide which material to use as a surface panel, last time I used arcylic it left fingerprints on it and cleaning it is a hussle because you end up having scratches on the surface, plus the clear ones will look foggy-ish. You didn’t mention how PC is different in that regard, so I’m assuming it’s not much of a different than the arcylic one?
@SIGNHOUSETV Great article and explaining of both types of material. One thing i noticed throughout the whole article was it never mentioned of the 2 types of acrylics produced. Which is a factor in one’s choosing for their project(s). There is Extruded and Cast. “Cast Acrylic is formed by pouring molten PMMA monomer resin into a mould. The mould consists of two large glass sheets, and the desired thickness of cast acrylic sheet is achieved by the distance of separation left between the glass sheets. The void between the glass sheets is then filled with molten PMMA.”. “Extruded acrylic is formed by passing the molten PMMA monomer resin through an extrusion line die. This extruder compiles of a feeder/hopper; which the PMMA is fed into, a solid base, and a series of steel rollers/dies, which the molten PMMA passes under and above. Also, Cast much harder and stronger than extruded, high impact resistance and has more forgiveness when cut and can be cut into any shape . Where as Extruded is softer than cast, not as impact resistant and better for straight cuts but any other cuts can produce stress cracks or “Crazing”. Just thought I’d mention that to let others know of the 2 different types of acrylic. Also there is a couple of chemically bonding glues for PC that can be used for structural use.
Very nice and unique design. But I think it would be better to get the Louvered Pergola Top they sell with the glass sides of this one since it would be easier to clean the side glass panels on the side than then top ones. Personally, if I didn’t already redone the outdoor patio cover in a wood, I would have gotten the louvered pergola from the company.
Sunrooms, especially ones with glass roofs are a window cleaners best friend and a maintenance nightmare. You can never keep the exteriors clean: rain, birds, pollen, how close you are to a major road (road dust), etc. I speak from experience, my wife and I had one installed on our last home. Want to know a dark little secret the sunroom salesman won’t tell you? Birds love to fly into them and kill themselves. No joke! You’ll find dead birds on a regular basis.