Acrylic is less expensive than Polycarbonate. First off, it is important to note that both acrylic and polycarbonate backboards share quite a lot of similarities. I was a teen with access to a shop filled with Plexiglas® Acrylic sheets, Lexan®, Plastic Sheets & Fiberglass sheet. Differences Between Acrylic and Polycarbonate. They provide different benefits (and drawbacks). Polycarbonate panels are extensively used in a variety of applications. The most confusing issue about acrylic and Plexiglass are the numerous names used in the plastics industry. Cast Acrylic vs. Extruded Acrylic Compared with conventional concrete sound barrier, polycarbonate significantly decrease installation time and project cost. Acrylic plastic is a handy building material that has a variety of uses. LEXAN polycarbonate sheet, 24 in. Less heat is lost with polycarbonate sheets than its glass alternative. This clear plastic is typically more expensive than acrylic and polystyrene, but it is extremely strong. LEXAN is approximately 250 times stronger than glass. Can I use plexiglass for a greenhouse? In this lesson we will compare and contrast the physical and mechanical properties of each, as well as the uses of each. Acrylic is more scratch resistant than standard (9034) polycarbonate. Polycarbonate sheet maintains glass-like clarity and is highly impact resistant and strong. Each exhibits particular advantageous and disadvantageous characteristics that make one or the other more appropriate to use in a given application. 40 years later I educate our team on new materials and processes - to customers worldwide. It is available in clear and opaque forms, making it the ideal choice for construction and security-related purposes. It is a clear plastic sheet that is flexible, splinterless, and sturdy. Lexan is a brand name for a polycarbonate sheet of plastic. Polycarbonate sheets are very lightweight and often installed on any solid flames including aluminum, steel, plastic, wood or other materials. Polycarbonate is an incredibly useful plastic for applications requiring transparency and high impact resistance. Plastic is a polymer that has a large molecular mass. Acrylic and Polycarbonate are essentially very similar materials. Price of Acrylic vs. Polycarbonate. Additionally over time both will lose visual clarity, the difference being that acrylic be polished to regain it; polycarbonate cannot be. x 18 in., is a perfect glass substitute. It comes in a variety of thicknesses, though the thicker the sheet, the more durable (and expensive) Lexan tends to be. Today PMMA (âplexiglassâ) is sold under many different brand names, including Acrylite, Lucite® and Perspex®. Polycarbonate is a type of plastic. So finding a reliable plastics distributor that can provide both types of sheets to you in order to meet all of these different needs. When polycarbonate is exposed to UV light it becomes yellow, cloudy and brittle. Plexiglas is a cell cast acrylic, so it has fewer impurities (tiny ripples or embedded specks). Our customers use acrylic plexiglass in commercial construction, home improvement projects, laser engraving, furniture making, merchandising, and other uses. The manufacturing costs are higher with cast acrylic, which is reflected in its higher price. Road Tankers. At Creative Mechanisms, we have used Polycarbonate in a number of applications across a range of industries. The differences start to appear when you look at tensile strength and impact resistance. Both polycarbonate sheets vs. acrylic sheets offer a ton of benefits over glass and other transparent materials. Acrylic is a parent name that indicates the type of polymer used in its manufacturing. Item #1697674. 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