Polycarbonate (PC) Solid Sheets
Polycarbonate solid sheets are high-performance, transparent thermoplastic sheets that combine exceptional impact resistance with optical clarity. These versatile sheets offer a combination of properties that make them an excellent alternative to glass in many applications. Their durability, light weight, and formability make them ideal for both safety and design-oriented projects.
Brands:
- Lexan® from SABIC-Europe
- Cornerstone® from Taiwan
- Sunshield® from Korea
Product Description
Features
- Unparalleled Impact Resistance: Polycarbonate solid sheets boast impact strength 250 times greater than glass and 40 times greater than acrylic of the same thickness. This extraordinary toughness makes them virtually unbreakable in normal use, providing superior protection against vandalism, accidental impacts, and extreme weather conditions. They can withstand hammer blows and even low-velocity bullet impacts, making them ideal for security glazing applications.
- Optical Clarity and Light Transmission: Despite their incredible strength, polycarbonate solid sheets offer optical clarity comparable to glass. They allow up to 92% light transmission for clear sheets, ensuring excellent visibility and natural light penetration. This combination of clarity and strength makes them perfect for applications where both visibility and safety are crucial, such as protective barriers in sports arenas or machine guards in industrial settings.
- UV Protection and Weather Resistance: Most polycarbonate solid sheets are manufactured with a co-extruded UV-resistant layer on one or both sides. This layer protects the sheet from yellowing and degradation caused by prolonged exposure to sunlight, maintaining clarity and physical properties for years. The sheets can withstand prolonged outdoor exposure without significant loss of impact resistance or optical properties, making them suitable for long-term exterior applications.
- Thermal Insulation and Fire Resistance: While not as insulating as their twin-wall counterparts, polycarbonate solid sheets still offer better thermal insulation than glass of the same thickness. They also demonstrate good fire-resistant properties, often achieving a B1 rating according to DIN 4102 or Class 1 according to BS 476 part 7. In a fire, they tend to soften and melt rather than shatter, potentially slowing fire spread and reducing the risk of injury from falling shards.
- Exceptional Formability and Fabrication Ease: Polycarbonate solid sheets can be cold-formed into gentle curves or hot-formed into complex shapes without losing their impact resistance. They can be easily cut, drilled, and machined using standard woodworking tools, allowing for on-site customization. This formability opens up a wide range of design possibilities, from curved safety shields to complex architectural features.
- Chemical and Stain Resistance: These sheets demonstrate good resistance to many chemicals, oils, and solvents. They are resistant to staining from a wide range of substances, maintaining their appearance even in challenging environments. This property makes them suitable for use in laboratories, industrial settings, and public spaces where they may be exposed to various chemicals or frequent cleaning.
- Wide Temperature Tolerance: Polycarbonate solid sheets maintain their physical properties over a broad temperature range, typically from -40°C to 120°C. This wide operating temperature range makes them suitable for use in diverse climates and applications, from cold storage facilities to greenhouse glazing.
- Sound Insulation Properties: While primarily valued for their impact resistance and optical clarity, polycarbonate solid sheets also offer some degree of sound insulation. In certain thicknesses, they can help reduce noise transmission, making them useful in urban settings or for creating quieter indoor environments.
- Lightweight and Easy to Install: Polycarbonate solid sheets are about half the weight of glass of the same thickness. This light weight reduces structural load requirements and makes handling and installation easier and safer. It also contributes to lower transportation costs and reduced carbon footprint in shipping.
- Recyclability and Sustainability: At the end of their long service life, polycarbonate solid sheets are 100% recyclable. Their durability means they need to be replaced less frequently than other materials, reducing waste. Additionally, their light weight and good insulation properties contribute to energy savings in buildings and transportation, further enhancing their environmental credentials.
Usage:
- Security glazing (banks, embassies, prisons)
- Machine guards and safety shields
- Vehicle windshields and public transportation windows
- Architectural glazing and skylights
- Noise reduction barriers
- Signage and displays
- Protective sports equipment (visors, goggles)
- Greenhouses and conservatories
- Aquariums and pool enclosures
- Industrial equipment covers and control panels
Technical Specifications:
Property | Value |
---|---|
Size | 4' x 65' roll/ 4'x8' Sheet |
Thickness | 2mm, 3mm, 4mm, 5mm, 6mm, 8mm |
Availability | In pieces (of any required length) as well as complete roll |
Light Transmission | Up to 92% (clear sheets) |
Impact Strength | 250 times stronger than glass |
Temperature Resistance | -40°C to 120°C |
UV Protection | Co-extruded UV protective layer |
Polycarbonate vs fiber:
Property | Polycarbonate | Fiber |
---|---|---|
Impact Resistance | Excellent | Good |
Weather Resistance | Excellent | Poor |
Temperature Resistance | Up to 120°C | Below 100°C |
Light Transmission | Up to 89% | Up to 80% |
Fire Spread | Self-Extinguishing | Flammable |
Thickness | Uniform | Varying |
Maintenance | Easy | Difficult* |
TAC Approval (% of Total Roof Area) | 5% | Only 2% |
Related Products:
Multi-layered sheets for superior insulation and impact resistance.