Polycarbonate is a widely used material that can probably be found in many of the everyday objects and buildings you see. If you're planning your next DIY project, looking to roof your shed or working with materials in a professional setting, polycarbonate is a great choice to consider.

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In this article we will explore the different types of polycarbonate, its impressive qualities and many benefits.

What is Polycarbonate?

So, what is polycarbonate? Polycarbonate (PC) is a material you may not have heard of before, but it is one of the most popular engineering plastics globally. It is a strong, lightweight and transparent thermoplastic that is used in various industries. With an impact strength 250 times greater than glass, polycarbonate is also heat-resistant and maintains its shape well.

While it is known for its high impact resistance, it is actually very easy to mould. Which is why its versatility and durability make it preferred over materials like acrylic and glass.

Polycarbonate was first discovered around by Alfred Einhorn, a German chemist and became commercially available in the s. Initially, it had a brown tint, but by it was made crystal clear. This made it suitable for countless applications. 

How is Polycarbonate Made?

Polycarbonate is made through a chemical reaction of bis-phenol A (BPA) and carbonyl chloride (phosgene). Here is the process in simple steps:

1. First, BPA is produced in acidic conditions by the condensation of phenol with acetone.
2. This BPA is then reacted with carbonyl chloride in an interfacial polymerisation process to create long chains of polycarbonate molecules. 
3. This product can then be manufactured into sheets or other forms through extrusion or moulding. 
4. At this stage, additives may be used to introduce properties such as UV resistance and impact strength. 
5. After processing is complete, the polycarbonate sheets are cooled, cut to size and can be further shaped or finished as needed. 

This manufacturing process is how polycarbonate is made. The beauty of polycarbonate lies in its versatility. It can be produced in various colours and thicknesses depending on its intended function.

Types of Polycarbonate:

Generally speaking there are two main types of polycarbonate sheets:

• Is the most common type, often used in roofing for conservatories and lean-tos.
• It has excellent thermal and sound insulation, making it energy efficient.
• Its lightweight structure makes it easy to handle and install.
•  Comes with built-in UV protection to prevent damage from sunlight.

Solid Polycarbonate:

• Allows up to 90% light transmission, making it ideal for applications where clarity is important.
• Despite being lightweight, it offers incredible strength and is significantly more durable than glass.
• It also provides excellent impact resistance, making it suitable to use for safety glazing and windows.

Polycarbonate Uses

As of today, polycarbonate is used in numerous industries and in many everyday products. 

Glazing and roofing: Because of its strength and its ability to have UV protection, polycarbonate sheets are a great option for glazing and roofing. It is a popular alternative to glass for roofing, glazing and sound walls. It can diffuse light, resist impact and control temperature. Perfect  for canopies, greenhouses, sheds and conservatories.

Safety Equipment: Polycarbonate is an essential for safety applications, such as bulletproof glass, safety helmets and face shields. Its impact resistance and durability also make it ideal for protective gear and security installations.

Technology: Polycarbonate is commonly used in the production of CDs, DVDs, mobile phones and other electronic devices.

What are the Benefits of Polycarbonate?

Polycarbonate benefits include:

Transparency

• Because of its transparency polycarbonate has a &#;glass look&#;, which provides excellent light transmission.

Impact Resistance

• It has a high impact resistance and is virtually unbreakable. This is why polycarbonate is used in safety applications.

 Heat Resistance

• Polycarbonate can withstand high temperatures without melting or changing shape. This is suitable for items exposed to raised temperatures, like microwave-safe cookware.

Lightweight

• A great benefit of polycarbonate is that it is significantly lighter than standard glass. Which is useful in industries like aerospace and automotive to reduce excess weight.

 UV Resistance

• This material offers good resistance to ultraviolet (UV) radiation. Making it ideal for greenhouse panels and protective covers for outdoor equipment.

For more details on the benefits of polycarbonate, check out our article on The Advantages of Multiwall Polycarbonate Sheets.

Is Polycarbonate Recyclable?

So, is polycarbonate recyclable? Yes, that&#;s another great thing about polycarbonate is that it is fully recyclable, so it is a sustainable option. 

The recycling process begins by sorting the material and then shredding it into small pieces. After shredding, the pieces are washed and granulated, making it ready for manufacturers to use again. 

Polycarbonate is known for its long life and strength, which helps recycling facilities get good results.

How to Clean Polycarbonate?

Believe it or not but there is a correct way to clean polycarbonate sheets. Despite their low maintenance they do need to be cleaned from time to time. Especially if you use polycarbonate sheets for roofing, they can become dirty. Some cleaning tips include:

• There is no need to use any harsh chemicals to clean your polycarbonate sheets, simply use a mild soap and lukewarm water with a cloth.
• Avoid using brushes or anything that could scratch the surface. A microfibre cloth is all you need.
• When it comes to cleaning roofing, refrain from using a power wash due to its high pressure. You can rinse them with a garden hose instead. 

Polycarbonate Cost

Polycarbonate is a relatively affordable material and is a cheaper alternative to glass.The cost of polycarbonate sheets can vary based on a number of factors. This depends on the type of polycarbonate you are after, the amount and the thickness. Standard thicknesses usually range from 2mm and prices will increase with thickness.

Polycarbonate at Sheet Plastics

At Sheet Plastics we offer a wide range of polycarbonate sheets that can be cut to size. If you are looking for roofing or glazing, you can trust our strong and lightweight sheets to deliver exceptional results. 

We stock premium multiwall and structured polycarbonate sheets that are durable and long-lasting. With options that cater to your needs, including UV protection and impact resistance. Choose polycarbonate as a practical alternative to glass and other materials.

Our sheets start at just 6p depending on your requirements. Our standard size starts from 50 mm x 50 mm in width with thicknesses from 2 mm to 12 mm.

Browse our selection of polycarbonate sheets and don't hesitate to contact us if you have any questions.

Polycarbonate Sheet: Ultimate FAQ Guide

We covered a lot of the topics related to polycarbonate sheets and their applications. But still, there are a ton of basic questions we get every day from our readers.

So we&#;ve decided to put all the questions in one place, to help the readers find their desired question easily and in one place. If you&#;re considering buying PC sheets anytime soon, you just need to read all the answers here, and you&#;ll be an expert as well. So without further adieu, let&#;s see what those questions are.

What is A Polycarbonate Sheet?

Polycarbonate is a transparent and robust thermoplastic material used in multiple applications for its strength and durability. It contains carbonate groups in its structure, which makes them so strong and flexible at the same time.

What Are The Applications Or Uses Of Polycarbonate Sheets?

Polycarbonate is used widely for canopies, roofing panels, and windows due to its strength and safe nature. It&#;s also used in building greenhouses because of its UV-resistant ability.

PC plastics are also used in electrical and automotive parts. The transparent and heat-resistant ability makes it suitable for numerous applications in these industries. There are many types of polycarbonate, different types offer different applications, maybe you can know more information from the following blogs:

How strong is a polycarbonate sheet?

It&#;s one of the most rigid forms of plastic that we can find. PC sheets offer incredibly high strength, among other alternatives. It&#;s almost 200 times stronger than glass material and 30 times stronger than the acrylic sheet.

What is a better polycarbonate or Acrylic?

Acrylic is another widely used thermoplastic material that has a lot of applications. The critical difference between these two plastics is that PC plastics are made out of carbonate groups, whereas acrylic is composed of a chloride group.

Want to know the difference between acrylic and polycarbonate. And how to identify Polycarbonate from Acrylic.

How long do polycarbonate panels last?

Polycarbonate is a robust material that has a lifespan of 10-20 years on average. The superior strength and durability allow this plastic to last longer than other alternatives. This is the reason why PC sheets are used widely in roofing panels and other outdoor applications.

To know everything about polycarbonate.

Is polycarbonate expensive?

Compared with other alternatives, yes. But when you consider the durability, applications, and lifespan of this plastic, you could easily see how it delivers more value than any other alternatives.
Polycarbonate sheet has outstanding strength and durability with UV resistance ability, perfect for many outdoor applications like a greenhouse or industrial roofing panels.

If you need a quote for this, get in touch with us now!

Can you drill holes in polycarbonate?

Yes. Polycarbonate sheets can be easily drilled and cut. Standard drill bits are suitable for PC materials. Still, we recommend using special drill bits designed to drill plastic material to avoid any damages before drilling, first make a pilot hole and start drilling from there.

Want to know how to drill polycarbonate;

Goto Songmei to know more.

Related Blogs About Polycarbonate and Acrylic

Can polycarbonate plastic be recycled?

This is an entirely recyclable plastic material that allows it not to damage the environment and use less raw materials.

How to bend polycarbonate sheets?

Polycarbonate is a robust material with outstanding flexibility. We can bend the sheet with a heating method. Just make sure the bending line is getting equal heat and if the sheet is thicker, apply heat on both sides equally, which will deliver the best result.

Another cool part of PC sheets is that unlike acrylic or any other alternative, they can be cold bent. This means you can bend the sheet without even applying any heat to the material. This due to the extreme flexibility of the plastic. You&#;ll need to consider the spring ability and require the bending tool to get the best result.

How to cut polycarbonate sheets?

Unlike acrylic sheets, polycarbonate sheets can not be cut with a scoring knife; we recommend using a circular saw for this job. A Circular saw will give you the best result while cutting a larger sheet. Otherwise, a jigsaw can be used as well.

Why is polycarbonate a better choice for extreme weather conditions areas?

As you already know, PC material is tough and durable. But the reason it&#;s used in extreme weather conditions is its high impact-resistant ability. This material can withstand extreme rough weather conditions like heavy rains, cyclones, or any other situation. It&#;s also heat resistant, making it the perfect choice for areas with high temperatures.

Polycarbonate sheet is the perfect choice for earthquake-prone areas. Because if you use other materials like glass or thin plastics, you will likely have to change the material once or twice every year. In contrast, PC sheets can withstand earthquakes or other high impacts.

Manufacturer of texture polycarbonate

Blue texture polycarbonate sheet

Are polycarbonate roofs good?

Polycarbonate roofing panels are one of the best choices you can find on the market. If you&#;re concerned about the strength, durability, impact, and UV resistant material that will last longer than ten years or more, you&#;ll love PC roofing panels.

Maybe you need polycarbonate facade panel.

Which is better glass or polycarbonate?

Polycarbonate is 200 times more potent than glass and offers more durability and workability for any application. On top of that, pc sheets are significantly impact-resistant and weather-resistant, making it a better choice for areas where high impact or harsh weather conditions may occur.

Another great advantage of a PC sheet is that it blocks harmful UV rays while transmitting better light than glass materials. Although it has far more strength than glass, PC sheets are way lighter than glass and have better workability.

Other than these benefits, polycarbonate sheets are better than glass in every aspect. However, the price of glass material is lower, if you consider the durability and life span of both materials, you&#;ll want to avoid glass.

Does polycarbonate absorb heat?

Unlike glass or other alternatives, polycarbonate sheets don&#;t absorb heat. Their heat-resistant capability allows them to block heat, rain, snow, or even UV rays, making them a perfect choice for roofing panels and greenhouses.

How can you tell the difference between acrylic and polycarbonate?

Acrylic is often lighter than polycarbonate and has better transparency. One of the easiest ways to tell the difference between these two is, look at the edges. The edge of acrylic sheets tends to appear clear while the edge of polycarbonate sheets is blueish.

Is polycarbonate sheet bulletproof?

Yes. Many polycarbonate sheets are bulletproof and are now widely used in vehicles, windows or other applications. Because of the many setbacks of bulletproof glass, bulletproof PC materials are widely used now.

Polycarbonate vs acrylic which is better for me?

Depending on your needs and requirements, you&#;ll have to choose the perfect option for you. For example, if you need plastic material for small aquariums or skylights, I&#;ll suggest using acrylic sheets because it offers more light transmission and transparency than the others.

On the other hand, polycarbonate sheets are better for large aquariums for greenhouses because of their strength and heat-resistant abilities.

Want to know the difference between Lexan Vs. Acrylic.

Can I use a polycarbonate sheet for the greenhouse?

Of course! This plastic material is now the favorite for building greenhouses. Because of the heat and UV resistant capacity, it makes the perfect choice for greenhouses worldwide. Also, the impact resistance and robust abilities allow it to withstand harsh weather conditions and last for a long time.

Where can I get the best polycarbonate sheet at a good price?

If you&#;re looking to buy the top-quality material at the best price, you&#;re in the right place. I&#;m not asking for a commitment right now. Just have a chat with us and compare our quality and price with other manufacturers, you&#;ll make a better decision by yourself.

Conclusion

That&#;s all from my side. Now it&#;s your turn!

Have I missed out on something important? Is there anything you&#;d like us to add here? Then leave a message in our chatbox and we&#;ll respond to you as early as possible.
See you in the next guide!

About UVPLASTIC

UVPLASTIC is a leading manufacturer of polycarbonate in China. Meantime, UVPLASTIC provides designing and machining polycarbonate service. The subsidiary-UVACRYLIC, which is a leading manufacturer of acrylic sheets in China, provides custom acrylic. If you are interested in these products, please contact us!

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