The use of plastics to provide physical protection to create a safe and secure environment has increased significantly over the past few decades, particularly in glazing applications for banks, schools, and government buildings.
Polycarbonate
Polycarbonate, also referred to as PC, is a tough, impact-resistant, virtually unbreakable material used in wide variety of applications. It is an amorphous thermoplastic material, with a continuous use temperature range of up to 265° F (129° C). LEXAN™ is one of the most commonly recognized polycarbonate brands.
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About Polycarbonate
Polycarbonate sheet, also referred to as PC, is a tough, impact-resistant, virtually unbreakable material used in tremendous variety of applications. It is an amorphous thermoplastic material, with a continuous use temperature range of up to 265° F (129° C). LEXAN™ is one of the most commonly recognized polycarbonate brands. Polymershapes is the leading North American distributor of LEXAN.
Polycarbonate sheet is commonly used in see-through applications, such as machine guards, windows (glazing), windshields for golf carts and other recreational vehicles, and point-of-purchase displays. Polycarbonate is 20 times stronger than acrylic and retains its physical properties over a greater range of temperatures. Polycarbonate sheet is an outstanding replacement choice for glass, with over 200 times the strength. LEXAN sheet comes in a variety of textures and surface patterns for purposes ranging from light diffusion, to privacy, to printing. It can be cut, routed, drilled, and milled. Graphics can be direct printed or laminated.
Polycarbonate sheet is considered a high performance material due to its excellent balance of engineering properties, including excellent impact strength, and electrical properties. It offers great dimensional stability and a broad operating temperature range. Machine grade PC is available in sheet, tube and rod, and is extremely versatile, allowing designers and engineers to specify it in a wide variety of industrial applications.
Polymershapes can meet your polycarbonate sheet needs in standard and custom sizes from leading suppliers including SABIC. We are ready to fulfill your needs as your one-stop shop for additional value-added services that can help you stand out versus your competition. You can count on us for a broad range of conversion and fabrication capabilities at our local facilities and in conveniently located centers featuring state of the art technology. Our experienced teams are eager to exceed your expectations with best-in-class customer service and convenience.
Contact your local Polymershapes facility today and let us help you meet your needs for Polycarbonate sheet, and much, much more!
Material Benefits
Impact Resistant
Optical quality
Printable
Formable
Lightweight compared to glass
FDA compliant (grade specific)
Low moisture absorption
High strength and stiffness
Easy to machine
Low friction
Applications & Industries
Glass Glazing
Glass is incredibly heavy, and can create a major safety hazard when it cracks, breaks, or shatters. Fortunately, there are clear plastic options that retain the transparency of glass but are much more durable.
Transportation
When used in structural, mechanical, or aesthetic applications, performance plastics offer a significant reduction in weight over traditional materials that can help you travel further for less money while also limiting your environmental impact.
Aerospace
There are a variety of reasons for using plastics – like PAI, ECTFE, PTFE, PEEK, PPSU, PVC-Acrylic, and much more – in aerospace applications, particularly airplanes.
Automotive
Plastics weigh less than alternative materials such as metal, and less weight means less fuel consumption, which is attractive to consumers when deciding what model to purchase.
Related & Associated Products
Polycarbonate-ABS Blend (PC-ABS)
Polycarbonate-ABS blend sheet is an opaque, solid, low-gloss sheet, commonly known as LEXAN H6500. Commonly used in the bus & rail industry, this sheet offers excellent stiffness, as well as flame retardant properties.
PETG (Polyethylene Terephthalate Glycol)
Polyethylene Terephthalate Glycol, or PETG, is a clear thermoplastic that can be formed into a number of shapes, making it suitable for use in a broad range of applications.
Acrylic (Polymethyl Methacrylate, PMMA)
Acrylic, also known as Polymethyl Methacrylate (PMMA), is a thermoplastic that can be formed into a number of shapes, making it suitable for use in a broad range of industries and products.
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