Polycarbonate Sheet, Rod, & Tube

Lightweight and virtually unbreakable clear plastic for glass replacement, glazing, signage, and more.

Polycarbonate is a transparent and virtually unbreakable thermoplastic with outstanding impact resistance, strength, and durability. It has similar optical properties to glass at a much lower weight.

Highlights

Excellent optical clarity
Thermoformable
Easy to fabricate and machine
Strong and stiff
Outstanding impact resistance (virtually unbreakble)

Applications

Windows and skylights
Indoor and outdoor signage
Point-of-Purchase displays
Safety glazing
Replacement for glass
Storm panels

Industries

Construction
Archetecture
Automotive
Aerospace
Consumer Goods
Greenhouse

Polycarbonate (PC) - Transparent Thermoplastic Polymer Overview

What is Polycarbonate?

Polycarbonate (PC) plastics are transparent amorphous thermoplastics with outstanding mechanical strength, durability, and impact resistance. They are virtually unbreakable and capable of withstanding much greater impacts compared to glass and other plastics with similar properties.

General purpose polycarbonate has similar light transmittance and transparency to glass at a much lower weight and is often used as a replacement for it. Polycarbonate is a versatile material than can be thermoformed, machined, fabricated, and bonded with solvents.

Polycarbonate Resources & PDFs

Customers Also Asked:

What is a major disadvantage of polycarbonate?

Although polycarbonate has superior impact resistance and optical clarity compared to similar materials, it is susceptible to scratching. An abrasion resistant coating may be applied to polycarbonate sheet to increase its resistance to scratches.

What is polycarbonate used for?

Polycarbonate, also abbreviated as PC, is a virtually unbreakable amorphous engineering plastic with outstanding impact resistance and optical clarity. Polycarbonate is used in laptop housings, interior aircraft parts, skylights, public buildings, self-service gas stations, and other applications where light weight, durability, and optical properties are required.

Is acrylic or polycarbonate better?

Polycarbonate offers more durability and impact resistance but scratches more easily than acrylic, making it the better material for more demanding or protective applications. Acrylic has better optical clarity but is more prone to cracking than polycarbonate and is an ideal choice for framing, signage, and display applications.

How expensive is polycarbonate?

Compared to materials used for similar applications, polycarbonate sheet is more expensive than acrylic, but cheaper than glass. The increased cost is due to the fact that polycarbonate has greater impact resistance than both acrylic and glass.

General Properties¹ of Polycarbonate

Property

Unit

Value

Specific Gravity

g/cm.³

1.2

Tensile Strength

psi

9,000-15,000

Tensile Modulus

psi

345,000

Elongation %

100-110

Flexural Strength

psi

13,000-15,000

Shear Modulus

psi

114,000

Izod Impact (Notched, 1/8")

ft-lbs/in.

12-16

Compressive Strength

psi

11,500

Compressive Modulus

psi

300,000

Rockwell Hardness

125

Heat Deflection Temperature

°F

270-290

Maximum Service Temperature

°F

250

Ignition Temperature

°F

1,022

Light Transmission (Clear, 1/8" thickness)

Water Absorption (Saturated)

% @ 24 hrs.

0.15

¹The values listed are typical and are meant only as a guide to aid in design. Field testing is always recommended to determine exact values for each application.

Polycarbonate Quick Facts

Polycarbonate in the News

Renovo-MPC^™ Polycarbonate Minimizes Wind Chill in Recreational Vehicles

Polycarbonate Offers Safer, Lighter Alternative to glass in Motorsports

Weathering the Storm with Polycarbonate Storm Panels

Keep Out the Cold Using Polycarbonate Twinwall In Cold Frames

Multiwall Polycarbonate Provides Dependable Protection for Deck Roofs

Polycarbonate Twinwall Promotes Natural Lighting In Home Remodeling

Renovo-MPC™ Clear Post-Consumer Polycarbonate Sheet

Polycarbonate Renovo-MPC is a transparent post-consumer reprocessed polycarbonate sheet.

Clear Polycarbonate Sheet

Polycarbonate is a versatile, tough, durable plastic used for a variety of applications.

Clear Polycarbonate Film - Full Case

Cases of clear polycarbonate film provide the best value for thermoforming projects.

Clear Polycarbonate Film

Durable & flexible polycarbonate film can be thermoformed, molded, or die-cut into complex shapes.

Clear Polycarbonate Sheet - AR2

Polycarbonate AR is an abrasion and enhanced UV-resistant sheet.

Polycarbonate Sheet - Natural Machine Grade

High impact strength, dimensional stability, and the lowest internal stress and inclusion levels.

Gray #7130 Polycarbonate Sheet

Polycarbonate is a versatile, tough, durable plastic used for a variety of applications.

Gray #7135 Polycarbonate Sheet

Polycarbonate is a versatile, tough, durable plastic used for a variety of applications.

Polycarbonate Sheet - Clear #80 Pebble

Pebble textured polycarbonate lets light in while obstructing the view of objects behind it.

HYGARD® Bullet Resistant Polycarbonate Sheet

Plaskolite® Hygard BR withstands extreme threats with no compromises to performance.

HYGARD® Containment Grade Polycarbonate Sheet

Plaskolite Hygard® CG withstands extreme threats with no compromises to performance.

PALSHIELD® Bullet Resistant Polycarbonate Sheet

PALSHIELD® is engineered to meet a variety of forced entry and ballistic test standards.

DynaGlas® SolarSoft Max Sheet

Corrugated polycarbonate with the highest Daily Light Integral and guaranteed condensate control.

Polycarbonate Twinwall - Clear

Endless applications for architectural design, roofing, glazing, windows and installations.

Polycarbonate Twinwall - Ice (Opal)

Endless applications for architectural design, roofing, glazing, windows and installations.

Polycarbonate Twinwall - Bronze

Endless applications for architectural design, roofing, glazing, windows and installations.

Hurricane RDC Storm Panel Full Installation Kit

RDC storm panels pass the Dade County Hurricane test, displaying their extreme impact resistance.

16mm Polycarbonate Hurricane and Storm Panel

16mm RDC Storm Panels for commercial businesses and homes protect windows from strong winds and flying debris during hurricane season.

Polycarbonate Hurricane Storm Panel Kits

Allows light in while protecting your windows and doors from hurricane force winds, flying debris, and severe weather.

Clear Corrugal Polycarbonate Plastic Sheet

Rigid and lightweight corrugated polycarbonate panels for greenhouses and outdoor applications.

Ice (Opal) Corrugal Polycarbonate Plastic Sheet

Rigid and lightweight corrugated polycarbonate panels for greenhouses and outdoor applications.

SunSky 9 Clear Corrugated Polycarbonate Sheet

SunSky corrugated polycarbonate rooflite and sidelite panels turn night into brilliant daylight.

SunSky 12 Clear Corrugated Polycarbonate Sheet

SunSky corrugated polycarbonate rooflite and sidelite panels turn night into brilliant daylight.

SunSky 9 Soft White Corrugated Polycarbonate Sheet

SunSky corrugated polycarbonate rooflite and sidelite panels turn night into brilliant daylight.

SunSky 12 Soft White Corrugated Polycarbonate Sheet

SunSky corrugated polycarbonate rooflite and sidelite panels turn night into brilliant daylight.

SunSky 9 White Opal Corrugated Polycarbonate Sheet

SunSky corrugated polycarbonate rooflite and sidelite panels turn night into brilliant daylight.

SunSky 12 White Opal Corrugated Polycarbonate Sheet

SunSky corrugated polycarbonate rooflite and sidelite panels turn night into brilliant daylight.

SunTuf Clear Corrugated Polycarbonate