Clear Polycarbonate Sheets: A Great Cost Effective Alternative of Glass
A clear polycarbonate sheet is made of thermoplastic material, which is an extremely tough and stable material. Polycarbonate sheets are stain-resistant and weigh less than glass. There are many industries that use clear polycarbonate sheets for manufacturing different products like CDs to bulletproof windows. Polycarbonate sheets are available in single or twin wall sheets.
Types of Clear Polycarbonate Sheet
Clear polycarbonate sheets are available in a variety of thicknesses and sizes. The different type of clear polycarbonate sheet includes:
- Machine Grade Polycarbonate
- Glass Filled Polycarbonate
- Carbon Filled Polycarbonate
- Bullet Resistant Polycarbonate
Qualities of Polycarbonate Sheet
Polycarbonate sheeting is more costly but it will work in the long run due to its higher level of impact resistance. By using the acrylic sheet in an application that is more suited for polycarbonate, one will have to replace it or fix it sooner. There are also additional cost savings in shipping and handling. Clear polycarbonate sheeting is less rigid than acrylic sheeting and they can be bought in a variety of flexible grades, colours and tints.
Uses of Clear Polycarbonate Sheets
The use of polycarbonate varies widely in industry to produce different products. You can easily design your products with these sheets and they can provide clear transparency like glass. But, glass is breakable and fragile, and you cannot use glasses in your industrial applications. In this case, you can use such clear polycarbonate sheets to get the same effects and you can also use them in your construction industry.
Some of these products include;
- Roofing sheets
- Eye Glasses
- CD’s and DVD’s
- Bulletproof windows
A clear polycarbonate sheet has been designed for both domestic and industrial usage. It is a very versatile material and it has many different applications. Polycarbonates used in engineering are strong, tough materials. Multiwall polycarbonate is used mostly for greenhouses, where it can withstand the daily challenges of an outdoor environment. There are a huge number of ways in which can be used with these types of sheets-
- Polycarbonate can be utilized both externally and internally. It is stable in high and low temperatures and has excellent impact resistance and fire rating.
- Many optical industries make use of a clear polycarbonate sheet to produce eyeglasses. It has transparency qualities and has extremely good durability. The lenses manufactured from clear polycarbonate can be made thinner than lenses made from ordinary glass.
- Polycarbonate sheets also work as excellent roofing materials, used for windows, skylights, and commercial spaces in hotels, coffee shops, beauty parlour, exhibition centres, and other places.
- They are used in digital advertising screens and glow signboards.
- They are also used in Green House
They are used widely for roofing applications which are very effective as insulating applications. Some of the uses for polycarbonate sheets include conservatory roofing, garages, free-standing shelters, aviaries, and greenhouses. Though polycarbonate is manufactured from toxic materials the finished product is non-toxic. Polycarbonate is tough and stable, and it can resist high and low temperatures from around 280F down to -40F. Some of the main features of them are-
- They are waterproof and sound insulated.
- They are recyclable
- They reduce noise transmission
- They have high clarity and light transmission
- They have an excellent impact strength
- Both UV resistant and bad weather conditions
- They are high heat resistance
Polycarbonate sheets can be formed or moulded cold or bent without heating. White polycarbonate sheet and tinted polycarbonate can provide style to any application without compromising on strength. The only drawback of using polycarbonate sheets is the cost incurred initially. Otherwise, polycarbonate sheets serve as the best alternative of glass. Polycarbonate sheet is a very versatile material. Keep your requirements in mind while buying polycarbonate sheets. And always do research to find the best supplier to fulfil your material needs.