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Acrylic (Plexiglass) vs. Polycarbonate (Lexan) – A Comparison of Difference in Usage
By Anna Walter
We all want our homes to be glossy, gleaming, and refreshing like glasshouses. Isn’t it?
However, using glass all over the place might not be a great idea owing to the delicacy of the material.
Thanks to advanced technology (And of course, the pursuit of man to know more) we have discovered some great alternatives to glass. Plastic glass has overwhelmed the glass industry in a very short period of time. Acrylic sheets are now extensively used instead of glass in residential as well as commercial projects.
In the time of the rise of plastic glass, different types of plastic glass are also in the making. Two giants that are in close competition are; Acrylic and Lexan.
When considering plastic glass for a project, you would most probably find yourself making a choice between acrylic and polycarbonate. We are here to help you with the right decision. Here is a comprehensive guide on the difference between acrylic glass and Lexan. Let’s get into some groundwork first.
Table of Contents
What is Plexiglass?
Acrylic glass, technically called polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA), is a transparent petroleum-based thermoplastic material. Due to its transparency and optical clarity, it serves as a great alternative to glass. It is widely used in the interior and construction industry.
Plexiglass vs Acrylic
Plexiglass vs Acrylic has been under debate for quite some time. Plexiglass and acrylic are nearly identical with no significant differences.
Acrylic is an abbreviation for the thermoplastic material Polymethyl methacrylate. It has outstanding strength, durability, and optical clarity. Due to these properties, acrylic is considered a prime alternative for glass.
On the other hand, plexiglass is a type of clear acrylic glass. It is actually one of the most popular acrylic glass brands. The first version of acrylic glass created in the early 20th century was branded as “Plexiglas”. With time, the brand name “plexiglass” became a universal term for acrylic. Now plexiglass and acrylic are used as synonymous terms. It won’t be wrong to say that both acrylic and plexiglass are essentially the same products with different names. However, there is just one difference to justify plexiglass vs acrylic – The manufacturing process!
Acrylic glass sheets are made through the continuous extrusion method. While plexiglass is manufactured through a casting cell method in which raw acrylic is fed between two panes of glass to make a cell. Plexiglass is also somewhat pricier than acrylic glass.
Plexiglass – The Manufacturing Process
Acrylic is actually a polymer of the plastic material methyl methacrylate. Therefore it is manufactured by the polymerization of methyl methacrylate in the presence of a catalyst. The polymers are then molded into sheets to get them ready for use.
What is Lexan?
Lexan or polycarbonate also comes under the category of plastic glass. It is referred to as polycarbonate due to multiple carbonate groups in its basic chemical structure. Lexan or polycarbonate has exceptionally high strength value and finds applications in bulletproofing and other such sturdy projects.
Lexan – The Manufacturing Process
Polycarbonate is manufactured by a chemical process between two chemical compounds Bisphenol A and carbonyl chloride. The product achieved as a result of the chemical reaction is thus cut into a variety of lengths and sizes to be used in different applications.
Plexiglass vs Lexan – The Contrast
Now that you are familiar with the basic concept and manufacturing process of acrylic as well as polycarbonate sheets, we are all set to dive deep into the material war. Let’s compare the properties of both and see which material suits your project requirements better.
Comparison of
Lexan VS Plexiglass
Plexiglass
Lexan
01
Light
Transmition
Transmition
92%
88%
02
Impact
Resistance
Resistance
17 times
250 times
03
Cost
Less expensive
than lexan
than lexan
More expensive
than plexiglass
than plexiglass
04
Working
Temp
Temp
180F*
275F*
05
Scratch
Resistance
Resistance
Greater
resistance
resistance
Easier
scratch
scratch
06
UV Resistance
Does not
yellow
yellow
Can yellow
over time
over time
07
Chemical
Resistance
Resistance
Low level
Heigh level
08
Manufacturing
Machineable and
heat-bendable
heat-bendable
Can be cold formed or
bent without heating
bent without heating
09
Drilling
Can crack easily
Can be drilled without
worry of cracking
worry of cracking
10
Color
Availability in
more color
more color
limited colors (white,black, bronze, grey,sign, colors)
11
Fire Rate
Very easily burns without
having thikness issues
having thikness issues
Depending on thickness
12
Application
- – Window panes
- – In display unit and commercial showcasing
- – Retail advertising
- – In aquarium glass
- – As protesctive barriers
- – In greenhouses
- – In sneeze guard
- – In bulletproof windows and doors
- – In windshields and operator protection in vehicles
- – In protective sporting gear
- – Machinery guards
- – Protective guards in industrial settings
- – UV Protector for signage and other outdoor uses
Benefits of Plexiglass and Lexan Glass
Plexiglass and Lexan have taken over the glass industry due to the plethora of benefits they offer. High optical clarity, strength, transparency, and damage resistance are a few benefits that justify the high applications of Lexan and plexiglass in the commercial, residential and retail industry. You can have an at-a-glance view of the applications of Lexan and acrylic glass in the infographic attached below.
Transparency – Light Transmission Ability
Optical clarity is the basic property that makes plastic glass a great alternative to glass. Both polycarbonate and acrylic glass have high optical clarity.
- Acrylic glass transmits 92% light.
- Polycarbonate lags a little behind acrylic in light transmission ability. Lexan allows 88% light to pass through it.
Strength – Resistance to Impact
The main reason why plastic glass has taken over the glass industry is its strength. Glass breaks on hard impact and cannot be fixed easily. However, plastic glass is immune to damage.
- Acrylic glass is 17 times stronger than ordinary glass.
- While polycarbonate takes the lead here. Lexan is super-strong material. It can withstand 250 times harder impact as compared to glass.
Customization – Flexibility Level
The DIY trend is on the rise. Glass is not usually used for DIY projects as cutting and shaping glass at home is quite difficult as well as dangerous. Plastic glass has taken the lead in this department as well. However, the extent to which polycarbonate and acrylic can be customized is different.
- Acrylic glass is heat bendable. You would need to use the machine and thermal power in order to shape the acrylic sheets in the way you want. Drilling the acrylic sheets can also result in cracking so it’s better to avoid it.
- Lexan is fully customizable and flexible. It can easily be cold-formed into any shape. You can bend it without heating and drill holes through lexan sheets without worrying about cracking or breaking them.
Thermal Tolerance – Working Temperature
Both lexan and plexiglass are highly tolerant to heat which means that plastic glass works great at low temperatures as well as high ones. Even the fiercest summer heat cannot damage plastic glass due to its thermal tolerance.
- Acrylic glass can work great up to a temperature of 180 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Lexan has an even higher working temperature as compared to acrylic glass. Its operating temperature goes up to 275 degrees Fahrenheit.
Cost Factor – Easy Accessibility
Another big reason why plastic glass is taking over the glass industry is its cost-effectiveness. Both acrylic and Lexan are way cheaper than ordinary glass that’s why constructors and designers prefer plastic glass for building facades and interior.
- Acrylic glass is less expensive than both Lexan and standard glass.
- Owing to its ideal strength, Lexan is worth 35% more than acrylic glass but it is still much cheaper as compared to the standard glass.
Chemical Resistance – Immunity to Harmful Chemical Reactions
Plastic glass is generally immune to harmful chemicals but the overall resistivity varies for Lexan and acrylic.
- Acrylic glass is resistant to most detergents, inorganic chemicals, and diluted acids but not very effective against harsh chemicals.
- Polycarbonate is immune to almost all chemicals. It can withstand harsh chemicals without getting damaged. That’s the reason why polycarbonate sheets are employed in industries as protectors.
Scratch Resistance – Immunity to Damage
Plastic glass is immune to damage and easy to maintain.
- Acrylic glass is quite easy to clean and immune to scratches. It maintains its glossy look for a longer period of time without getting damaged.
- Lexan is more prone to scratches. Be careful while cleaning it and make sure to use a microfiber cloth to clean it.
UV Resistance – Prevention Against Harmful Radiations
Glass can only filter out a portion of the harmful UV radiation from the sun. Plastic glass is quite useful in this regard as well.
- Acrylic glass can filter harmful radiations without losing its elegance. That’s why it is preferably used in building facades and windows.
- Polycarbonate doesn’t allow the UV radiations to pass through but its color fades with time due to UV rays. That’s why it is mostly used in car windows and windshields to deliver high safety value.
Versatility – Style Availability
Just like glass, plastic glass is available in a wide variety of colors, styles, and designs.
- There are a plethora of styles and colors available in acrylic.
- Lexan is available in some limited colors. It is mostly available in white, black, bronze, gray, and the typical sign colors.
Fire Rating – Resistance to Fire
The fire resistance of plastic glass is mostly dependent on the thickness of the material.
- Acrylic glass burns easily no matter the size and thickness of the material.
- Depending on the thickness of the sheets, lexan resists burning. The thicker the polycarbonate sheet, the more difficult it would be to burn it.
Plexiglass and Lexan- Pros and Cons of Installing
Acrylic glass is a profound material and provides many benefits over normal glass. Acrylic glass is almost 17 times stronger than standard glass which makes it a solid alternative to glass but Lexan is way stronger than even acrylic and costly option as well. Here’s some common benefits and demerits installing of acrylic and Lexan glass both which can help you to decide one according to your need.
In a word!
Both polycarbonate and plexiglass are stronger and more durable than glass. But considering all the properties, we can say that acrylic glass is a more commonly used material around us. Its cost-efficiency, strength, and grace make it the preferred choice for general use. On the other hand, polycarbonate is mostly used where a high-security level is the end goal.
Although polycarbonate has its own applications, you can never go wrong with acrylic for everyday use. Acrylic glass radiates the same elegance as glass so you can go around replacing the glass in your homes with plexiglass. It’s a complete win-win!
