What is the Difference Between Polycarbonate and Acrylic?

Polycarbonate and acrylic are both transparent thermoplastic polymers that are often used as replacements for glass due to their lightweight nature, impact resistance, and tensile strength. However, they have some key differences:

1. Strength: Polycarbonate is significantly stronger than acrylic, offering 250 times the impact resistance of standard glass. Acrylic, on the other hand, has roughly 17 times the impact resistance of glass.
2. Appearance: Acrylic tends to have a high gloss finish and is more transparent, making it ideal for display cases. Polycarbonate can have a slight blue or grey tint and may yellow over time unless using a specific UV grade.
3. Ease of Scratching and Cracking: Acrylic is easier to crack, while polycarbonate is easier to scratch.
4. Thermal Properties: Acrylic can be heated and molded to shape, then heated again while retaining its quality appearance. Polycarbonate does not have this property.
5. Cost: Acrylic is generally less expensive than polycarbonate.

To choose between polycarbonate and acrylic for your specific project, consider factors such as strength, appearance, ease of scratching and cracking, thermal properties, and cost. For highly demanding applications like bullet-resistant windows or situations where the material may be exposed to harsh conditions, polycarbonate is the better choice. However, for applications where appearance and cost are more important, such as display cases or lower-stress environments, acrylic may be more suitable.

Comparative Table: Polycarbonate vs Acrylic

Here is a table comparing the differences between polycarbonate and acrylic:

In summary, polycarbonate is stronger, more impact-resistant, and flame-resistant than acrylic, but acrylic is clearer, harder, and more scratch-resistant. Both materials are lightweight and can be used as alternatives to glass in various applications.