{"id":5054,"date":"2021-04-08T07:31:32","date_gmt":"2021-04-08T07:31:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/mag2.fabglassandmirror.com\/blog\/?p=5054"},"modified":"2024-09-04T16:57:42","modified_gmt":"2024-09-04T16:57:42","slug":"acrylic-plexiglass-vs-polycarbonate-lexan-glass-comparison","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.fabglassandmirror.com\/blog\/acrylic-plexiglass-vs-polycarbonate-lexan-glass-comparison\/","title":{"rendered":"Acrylic (Plexiglass) vs. Polycarbonate (Lexan) \u2013 A Comparison of Difference in Usage"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

We all want our homes to be glossy, gleaming, and refreshing like glasshouses. Isn\u2019t it?<\/p>\n\n\n

\"Snow\"<\/p>\n
Buy Now<\/a><\/div>\n
Buy Now<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

However, using glass all over the place might not be a great idea owing to the delicacy of the material.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What is Plexiglass?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Plexiglass vs Acrylic<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Plexiglass vs Acrylic has been under debate for quite some time. Plexiglass and acrylic<\/a> are nearly identical with no significant differences. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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 \u201cPlexiglas\u201d. 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!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Plexiglass – The Manufacturing Process <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What is Lexan?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lexan – The Manufacturing Process<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Plexiglass vs Lexan – The Contrast<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

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\u2019s compare the properties of both and see which material suits your project requirements better. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n

Comparison of
Lexan VS Plexiglass<\/b><\/h2>\n
\n
<\/div>\n
Plexiglass<\/span><\/div>\n
Lexan<\/span><\/div>\n <\/div>\n
\n
01<\/span><\/div>\n
\n
Light
Transmition<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n <\/div>\n
92%<\/span>
<\/div>\n
88%<\/span>
<\/div>\n <\/div>\n
\n
02<\/span><\/div>\n
\n
Impact
Resistance<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n <\/div>\n
17 times<\/span><\/div>\n
250 times<\/span><\/div>\n <\/div>\n
\n
03<\/span><\/div>\n
\n
Cost<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n <\/div>\n
Less expensive
than lexan<\/span><\/div>\n
More expensive
than plexiglass<\/span><\/div>\n <\/div>\n
\n
04<\/span><\/div>\n
\n
Working
Temp<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n <\/div>\n
180F*<\/span><\/div>\n
275F*<\/span><\/div>\n <\/div>\n
\n
05<\/span><\/div>\n
\n
Scratch
Resistance<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n <\/div>\n
Greater
resistance<\/span><\/div>\n
Easier
scratch<\/span><\/div>\n <\/div>\n
\n
06<\/span><\/div>\n
\n
UV Resistance<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n <\/div>\n
Does not
yellow<\/span><\/div>\n
Can yellow
over time<\/span><\/div>\n <\/div>\n
\n
07<\/span><\/div>\n
\n
Chemical
Resistance<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n <\/div>\n
Low level<\/span><\/div>\n
Heigh level<\/span><\/div>\n <\/div>\n
\n
08<\/span><\/div>\n
\n
Manufacturing<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n <\/div>\n
Machineable and
heat-bendable<\/span><\/div>\n
Can be cold formed or
bent without heating<\/span><\/div>\n <\/div>\n
\n
09<\/span><\/div>\n
\n
Drilling<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n <\/div>\n
Can crack easily<\/span><\/div>\n
Can be drilled without
worry of cracking<\/span><\/div>\n <\/div>\n
\n
10<\/span><\/div>\n
\n
Color<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n <\/div>\n
Availability in
more color<\/span><\/div>\n
limited colors (white,black, bronze, grey,sign, colors)<\/span><\/div>\n <\/div>\n
\n
11<\/span><\/div>\n
\n
Fire Rate<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n <\/div>\n
Very easily burns without
having thikness issues<\/span><\/div>\n
Depending on thickness<\/span><\/div>\n <\/div>\n
\n
12<\/span><\/div>\n
\n
Application<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n <\/div>\n
\n