The Ultimate Guide About Acrylic Vs. Polycarbonate

Acrylic’s short form is PMMA. It is a thermoplastic homopolymer. Acrylic is widely used for enhanced weather resistance, durability, and after-use look. On the other hand, Polycarbonate is a thermoplastic polymer. Its short form is “PC”, considered a modern engineering material. This construction material is significantly popular for its exceptional strength, impact resistance, and optical clarity.

Both of these materials are unique in terms of characteristics, advantages, disadvantages, etc. So, product designers, engineers, and professionals must understand the context of Acrylic Vs. Polycarbonate to use the right material. In this article, we provide the ultimate guide about these two construction materials while evaluating their suitability for use.

Acrylic: Everything You Need to Know

Acrylic started its journey in the commercial market in 1933 under the name “Plexiglas.” But its invention happened a long time ago. In 1901, a German chemist named Otto Röhm invented it. Röhm developed the method of polymerization of methyl methacrylate to produce Polymethyl Methacrylate, i.e. Acrylic.

In general, a bulk polymerization process is used to produce PMMA. Within this process, Acrylic is first produced by employing the chemical combination of methyl methacrylate and a catalyst in a mould. Once the combining process is completed, heat is imposed on the mould in a controlled manner. Finally, a chemical transformation takes place within the enclosure, and Acrylic is formed.

Common Characteristics of Acrylic

The following are the base properties of this material.

Acrylic is resistant to shrinkage.
This construction material demonstrates remarkable resilience against ultraviolet radiation.
It is equipped with a low elasticity index.
PMMA’s moisture absorption rate is very low.
It also has an excellent amount of weather-resistant capability.
It is lightweight and transparent.

Common Application of Acrylic

Below are the most common uses of Acrylic.

In the automotive sector, Acrylic is used for the production of components like tail lights and headlight lenses.
LCD displays, paints, various medical equipment, etc., contain PMMA.
Due to having illumination properties, it is applied in light diffusers, lenses, and protective covers.
Many outdoor furniture are made of Acrylic.
In house construction work, this material is used to produce windows, skylights, canopies, etc.

Advantages of Acrylic

Here, we list the advantages of Acrylic.

Easy fabrication is possible.
Provides good finishing work.
Triggers enhanced optical clarity and transparency.
It is 17 times better than traditional glass.
Restricts chemical reaction.

Disadvantages of Acrylic

Below are the issues associated with PMMA.

Receives scratches easily.
Less heat resistance capability.
It cannot withstand high temperatures and direct flame.

Polycarbonate: Everything You Need to Know

Polycarbonate was initially developed in 1898 by a German chemist named Alfred Einhorn. However, Dr. Hermann Schnell and Dr. Daniel Fox, researchers at the Bayer AG chemical company in Germany, successfully produced Polycarbonate commercially in 1950. Ten years later, in 1960, the General Electric company started producing PR commercially in the USA.

In the process of producing Polycarbonate, bisphenol-A is obtained through the condensation of phenol and acetone under acidic conditions. Then, chemical reactions take place between bisphenol-A and carbonyl chloride in a methyl chloride solvent. In this case, an interfacial procedure takes place.

Common Characteristics of Polycarbonate

Below is a list of the most common properties of Polycarbonate.

Polycarbonate has a remarkable ability to withstand impact by accommodating a density of 1.22. It also resists shattering.
It has an excellent level of transparency and optical quality. Its reflective index is 1.54.
This construction material can withstand 135°C temperature. Also, it showcases adequate toughness between -20°C to 140°C.
It is lightweight and offers a higher level of dimension stability.
Polycarbonate has strong insulating properties.
In consideration of fire resistance characteristics, Polycarbonate is classified as S1. It means Polycarbonate exhibits good flame resistance and self-extinguishing properties.
Polycarbonate also displays standard resistance to various chemicals like alkalies, etc.

Common Applications of Polycarbonate

The following is a list of applications of Polycarbonate.

Polycarbonate’s greater impact resistance property makes it suitable for manufacturing protective gear like safety helmets, etc.
It is used in the automotive industry to produce glazing, headlight lenses, interior components, and impact-resistant windows.
Touch screen panels, smartphone covers, etc., also contain Polycarbonate.
To produce eyeglasses, sunglasses, camera lenses, and microscope optics, Polycarbonate is used due to the associated high optical quality.
Polycarbonate sheets are employed in skylights, domes, and architectural panels to increase the aesthetic look.
Polycarbonate’s UV resistance and durability allow manufacturers to construct greenhouse panels and agricultural enclosures.
PE is also used in several consumer products like water bottles, food storage containers, and kitchen appliances due to the associated BPA-free nature.

Advantages of Polycarbonate

Here, we mention the advantages of using Polycarbonate.

It makes the final product high-quality and durable.
The lightweight nature triggers easy handling and transportation while reducing the main product’s weight.
This material facilitates an extensive amount of protection against discolouration.
It supports environmental sustainability by having a recyclability rating of “7”.
Highly suitable for use in outdoor items.

Disadvantages of Polycarbonate

The below issues are associated with this material.

It cannot resist the impact of contacting hydrocarbon.
The material needs to be fully dried before processing which takes time.
Receive yellow colour under UV exposure for a longer period.

Polycarbonate is a durable and rigid plastic that can withstand chemicals and tear and offers excellent dimensional stability. This material is mainly used to make disposable face shields, laminating, packaging, safety equipment, greenhouse, etc.

Comparison Between Acrylic Vs. Polycarbonate

Type	Polycarbonate	Acrylic
Short description	Polycarbonate is a thermoplastic polymer	Acrylic is known as Polymethyl Methacrylate. It is a thermoplastic homopolymer.
What ingredients used to make this	Bisphenol-A and carbonyl chloride	Methyl methacrylate, catalyst
Applications	Polycarbonate is used to manufacture skylights, domes, greenhouse panels, safety helmets, mobile covers, etc.	Acrylic is used in producing furniture, canopies, lenses, LCD displays, paints, etc.
Characteristics	It offers dimension stability and fire resistance properties. It is durable and recyclable.	Impact, weather, and UV resistance. Lightweight. Easy to process.
Trade Name	Zelux, Cyrolon, Lexan, Markrolon, etc.	Crylux, Hesalite, Plexiglas, etc.
Price	Per Ton Polycarbonate price ranges from $3,100 to $3,830	Per Ton price is $2,200 to $2,400.

Final Words

Both Acrylic and polycarbonate are plastics with high light transmittance. But they are different materials with different properties. If you can’t identify them and need a trustworthy supplier, you can choose UVTECO, a leading supplier in China. Contact us for more information about acrylic and polycarbonate.