We carry polycarbonate general purpose sheets in a variety of sizes and thickness options to satisfy the needs of many DIY or commercial projects. Select below the thickness of clear polycarbonate that best suits your application or project.
Clear Polycarbonate, aka lexan, is an extremely durable material that has a significantly higher impact and break resistance compared to traditional glass and acrylic. Polycarbonate sheets can be used for a variety of heavy-duty applications without sacrificing transparency and light transmission properties.
Polycarbonate can be used to make windows, storage shelves, machine guards, merchandise displays and other demanding applications. Polycarbonate can be formed and machined, including drilling holes, sawing and routing.
Applications: windows, signage, partitions, machine guards, merchandise displays, storage shelves, automotive, aviation, security barriers, skylights, protective shields, face shields, robotic parts, hockey rink barriers, basketball backboards, boat windows, patio covers, hobbyist applications, commercial construction, and a variety of other applications.
Key Characteristics of Clear Polycarbonate:
Is polycarbonate and lexan the same thing?
The term lexan is often used interchangeable with polycarbonate (simialar to the way Kleenex® and tissue paper are used interchangeable). Polycarbonate refers to a broad category of plastic materials with similar base characteristics. The brand Lexan® is also a polycarbonate plastic. Lexan® was invented and developed by General Electric (GE) Plastics in the early 1950's. Currently, there are several polycarbonate sheet manufacturers throughout the world. The brand that we typically stock will be Tuffax®. Unless otherwise note, when we use the term lexan it is used interchangeable with polycarbonate and does not refer specifically to Lexan® brand.
The Term lexan is commonly used to describe polycarbonate. Actual name brand will depend on current stock.
What is the difference between polycarbonate (lexan) and plexiglass/acrylic?
Polycarbonate and plexiglass/acrylic are both thermoplastic polymersThermoplastic polymers become pliable at a certain elevated temperature and solidifies upon cooling. and are two of the most popular plastic materials. Both have clear visibility and are stronger than typical glass. However, one of the main differences between the two is that polycarbonate is significantly more impact resistant than plexiglass/acrylic and resist cracking and chipping much better. To give you an idea of the difference in strength between the two, if you were to throw a plexiglass sheet down on a concrete driveway, it would most likely crack and break. A polycarbonate sheet would just bounce off the driveway.
Plexiglass/acrylic is a little easier to machine and form. Polycarbonate is more expensive than plexiglass. Polycarbonate offers more corrosion resistance when used in chemical applications, but it is less scratch-resistant than plexiglass. Plexiglass/acrylic has less degradation over time than polycarbonate.
Avoid laser cutting polycarbonate (aka lexan). When laser cut, polycarbonate will release fumes tha can damage the laser cutter's optics and corrode the machine. Fumes from laser cutting polycarbonate can also damage your health.
CLEAR POLYCARBONATE PROPERTIES
| PROPERTY | TYPICAL VALUE* |
|---|---|
| OPTICAL | |
| Light Transmission | 86% |
| PHYSICAL | |
| Specific Gravit | 1.2 |
| Refractive Index | 1.586 |
| Water Absorption, 24 hours | 0.15% |
| Poisson’s Ratio (elastic deformation in directions perpendicular to direction of applied force) | 0.38 |
| MECHANICAL | |
| Tensile Strength, Ultimate (psi) | 9500 |
| Tensile Strength, Yield (psi) | 9000 |
| Tensile Modulus (psi) | 340,000 |
| Elongation (%) | 110 |
| Flexural Strength (psi) | 13,500 |
| Flexural Modulus (psi) | 345,000 |
| Compressive Strength (psi) | 12,500 |
| Compressive Modulus (psi) | 345,000 |
| Shear Strength, Ultimate (psi) | 10,000 |
| Shear Strength, Yield (psi) | 6,000 |
| Shear Modulus (psi) | 114,000 |
| Rockwell Hardness | M70 / R118 |
| THERMAL | |
| Coefficient of Thermal Expansion (in/in/°F) | 3.75 x 10-5 |
| Coefficient of Thermal Conductivity (BTU·in/hr·ft²·°F) | 1.35 |
| Heat Deflection Temperature @ 264 psi | 270 (°F) |
| Heat Deflection Temperature @ 66 psi | 280 (°F) |
| Brittleness Temperature | -200 (°F) |
| ELECTRICAL | |
| Dielectric Constant @ 10 Hz | 2.96 |
| Dielectric Constant @ 60 Hz | 3.17 |
| Volume Resistivity (Ohm·cm) | 8.2 x 1016 |
| Dissipation Factor @ 60 Hz | 0.0009 |
| Arc Resistance: Stainless Steel Strip electrode (seconds) | 10 |
| Arc Resistance: Tungsten Electrodes (seconds) | 120 |
| FLAMMABILITY | |
| Horizontal Burn, AEB (in) | <1 |
| Ignition Temperature, Self | 1022 (°F) |
| Ignition Temperature, Flash | 824 (°F) |
*Typical properties are not intended for specification purposes.
Quantity discounts available!
We offer discounts on our listed prices
with the purchase of 2 or more stock sheets.
2 to 5 - 3% off
6 to 10 - 5% off
11 to 20 - 10% off
21 to 30 - 12% off
31 to 40 - 13% off
41 to 50 - 14% off
51 or more - 15% off
We can also cut to size!
For custom cut to size or larger sheets of our clear polycarbonate lexan, please email [email protected] for a quote.
When describing the custom size, please included the thickness, width, length and quantity.
We also offer custom cut-to-size, hole drilling, edge polishing, CNC cutting, circle, and shape cutting. Request a quote for these services.
