Acrylic vs. Polycarbonate: A quantitative and qualitative comparision

Acrylic often compared to Polycarbonate, which is an other transparent plastic, that is sometimes used for bearing loads. Polycarbonate is sometimes called Lexan®, which is a trademark by GE Plastics. An other popular brand name for Polycarbonate is Makrolon®, owned by Bayer. Acrylic on the other hand is often called Plexiglas. Plexiglas ® is a trademark by Roehm and Hass.

Popular Uses for Acrylic (Plexiglas):

• Motorcycle helmet visors
• Helicopter Windows, Submarine Windows
• Spectator protection in ice hockey
• Police riot control vehicles modifications
• Swimming Pool Windows
• Aquariums and Terariums (including large public aquarium walls and tunnels)

Popular Uses for Polycarbonate (Lexan):

• Compact discs, DVDs
• Lighting lenses, sunglass/eyeglass lenses, safety glasses, automotive headlamp lenses
• Drinking bottles
• Computers: Apple, Inc.’s MacBook, iMac, and Mac mini
• Cases
• Riot shields, visors
• Instrument panels
• Bullet-proof Glass

Key characteristics, Acrylic compared to Polycarbonate:

• More likely to chip, less impact resistance then Polycarbonate. (still 10-24 times more resistant than float glass)
• Less likely to scratch.
• Does NOT yellow after time.
• Better clarity. Acrylic can be restored to optical clarity by polishing.

Key characteristics, Polycarbonate compared to Acrylic:

• Impact/chip resistance is much higher with Polycarbonate. (about 30 times more resistant than glass)
• More likely to scratch.
• Substantially more expensive. (roughly 2 to 3 times)
• Used for more industry applications
• Bulletproof when thick enough.
• More bendable under normal temeratures (0-20°C)
• Yellows over time due to ultraviolet rays
• Easier to work with (cut, less likely to break)
• Poorer clarity, diffuses light, can lighten (could be positive).

Polycarbonate under stress - a brocken CD