Acrylic VS Polycarbonate
A Quantitative and Qualitative Comparison
Acrylic is often compared to polycarbonate, another transparent polymer sometimes used for bearing loads. Polycarbonate is sometimes called Lexan®, which is a trademark by Sabic. Another popular brand name for Polycarbonate is Makrolon®, owned by Bayer. Hammerglass® is another polycarbonate mainly used for security and against vandalism. Acrylic on the other hand is often called Plexiglas. Plexiglas® is a trademark by Evonik.
Comparison of Characteristics
Acrylic:
- More likely to chip
- Less impact-resistant than polycarbonate, yet still 10-24 times more resistant than float glass
- More resistant against evenly-distributed loads then polycarbonate
- Less likely to scratch.
- Does not degrade in colour to yellow after time.
- Better clarity. Acrylic can be restored to optical clarity by polishing.
Polycarbonate:
- Impact/chip resistance is about 30 times more resistant than glass
- More likely to scratch.
- Substantially more expensive. (Roughly 2 to 3 times)
- Used for more industrial applications
- Bulletproof when thick enough.
- More bendable under normal temperatures (0-20°C)
- Goes yellow over time due to UV rays
- Easier to work with
- Poorer clarity, diffuses light
Polycarbonate – Lexan | Acrylic – Plexiglas GS | ||
Density | g/cm³ | 1.2 | 1.19 |
Max weight gain during immersion | % | 0.35 | 2.1 |
Tensile strength σΜ at 23°C | MPa | 60-70 | 80 |
Flexural strength σbB | MPa | 90 | 115 |
Impact strength acU (Charpy) | kJ/m2 | 35 | 15 |
Optical Light Transmission | % | 89 | 92 |
Forming Temperature | °C | 185…205 | 160…175 |
Vicat B Temperature | °C | 145 | 115 |
Velocity of Sound | m/min | 2270 | 2750 |
Attenuation at 5MHz | dB/cm | 24.9 | 6.4 |
Fire Rating | German DIN 4102 | B2 | B2 (*2) |
Popular Uses for Acrylic
- Motorcycle helmet visors
- Helicopter/submarine windows
- Spectator protection in ice hockey
- Modifications on police vehicles for riot control
- Swimming pool windows
- Aquariums and terariums (including large public aquarium walls and tunnels).
Popular uses for polycarbonate
- Compact discs, DVDs
- Lighting lenses, sun-/eyeglass lenses, safety glasses, automotive headlamp lenses, camper windows
- Drinking bottles
- Computers, such as Apple
- Cases
- Riot shields, visors
- Instrument panels
- Bulletproof protection