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)

Sources: Plexiglass Data Sheet Lexan 9030 Data Sheet (*2): Makrolon AR - Bayer Sheet Europe, octubre de 2004

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