Polycarbonate Sheet

Polycarbonate combines toughness, transparency, heat and flame resistance and dimensional stability in a way no other clear plastic matches. Flat polycarbonate sheets are chosen over acrylic whenever impact resistance, flammability performance or sheer durability are the deciding factors. The material is sold worldwide under brand names such as Lexan, and it is the sheet you reach for when something is going to get hit.

Key properties

• Exceptional impact strength, over 200 times stronger than glass of the same thickness
• Self extinguishing
• Very good weatherability and UV resistance
• Excellent optical clarity
• Cold formable, so it can be bent without heating
• Easily fabricated, machined and die cut
• Wide service temperature range

Applications

• Indoor and outdoor signage
• Safety glazing and vandal prone areas
• Machine guards and safety guards
• Machinery windows and inspection panels
• Instrument panels and covers
• Windows for boats, caravans and industrial plant
• Riot and impact screens

Polycarbonate or acrylic

This is the question we field most often. Acrylic is harder, more scratch resistant, more optically brilliant and cheaper, and it is the better choice for display work, picture framing and general glazing. Polycarbonate flat sheeting is dramatically tougher and will flex rather than shatter, and it is self extinguishing, so it is the correct choice for machine guards, safety screens, anywhere at risk of vandalism, and anywhere fire performance is specified. If the panel might take a blow, use polycarbonate. If it needs to look pristine on a shop counter, use acrylic.

Cold forming

Polycarbonate can be bent cold to a generous radius without heating or special tooling, which makes it useful for curved guards, covers and shields that would otherwise need thermoforming. The minimum radius depends on sheet thickness, so tell us what curve you need and we will confirm whether the sheet will take it.

Sizes, thicknesses and colours

• Colours: clear, opal and grey tint
• Sheet thickness: 1mm to 12.7mm
• Standard sheet size: 1220mm x 2440mm
• Larger sheets available in clear on request
• Cut to size available, no amount is too small

Clear is the standard for glazing and guarding where visibility matters. Opal diffuses light for signage and lighting applications, and grey tint cuts glare and solar gain for windows and screens exposed to strong sunlight.

Handling and care

Polycarbonate scratches more easily than acrylic, so leave the protective masking on until the panel is installed and clean it only with a plastic safe cleaner and a soft cloth. Avoid ammonia based glass cleaners and abrasive pads, both of which will damage the surface. Drill with steady pressure and support the sheet from behind to avoid chipping the exit side.

Buying polycarbonate from Associated Plastics

We have been cutting and fabricating polycarbonate for Tasmanian industry since 1979, and we deliver Australia-wide. Sheets are held in stock in Hobart and cut to size on our own machines, so you can order the exact panels your guard, window or screen requires instead of buying a full sheet. We also fabricate finished machinery windows, guards and covers if you would rather receive a completed part. Send us your dimensions and the application and we will confirm the thickness and tint to specify.