If you are looking for an engineering material with high transparency, exceptional impact resistance and lightweight, polycarbonate Lexan sheets are a great choice. They are suitable for many industrial applications, such as agriculture, construction and security, etc. In this article, we will provide you with a comprehensive guide to polycarbonate Lexan sheets, including their properties, applications, and how to select them to meet your needs.
What are Polycarbonate Lexan Sheets?
You can think of polycarbonate Lexan sheets as a kind of super plastic. The remarkable feature is as transparent as glass and as tough as steel. And it is also extremely lightweight and easy to process. These features make it the preferred choice for many industrial applications.
Performances of Polycarbonate Lexan Sheets
Impact Resistance
Impact resistance is the most remarkable property of polycarbonate sheets. At room temperature, the impact strength can reach over 85 kJ/m², which is 250 times that of ordinary glass. This means that if you choose polycarbonate sheets, they can withstand the impact of steel balls without breaking, while glass with the same thickness has already shattered.
Even in low-temperature environments, the polycarbonate Lexan sheet’s impact strength can still remain above 65 kJ/m². This constant performance makes it an ideal material for outdoor applications in cold regions for you.
Lightweight
The density of polycarbonate sheet is approximately 1.20 g/cm³, which is only about half of that of common glass, about 2.5 g/cm³. This means that if you choose polycarbonate Lexan sheets, the transportation cost is lower and the installation process is easier.
Transparency and Optical Clarity
Polycarbonate Lexan Sheets have high light transmittance close to ultra-clear glass. The initial transmittance of polycarbonate sheets can reach 88% to 91%. When you choose this material as light diffusers or display windows, the sheets can provide a clear and distortion-free visual experience.
UV Resistance and Weather Durability
What is the most harmful thing for plastic? Sunlight. When exposed to the sun for a long time, ultraviolet rays will continuously attack the material’s interior, causing it to become brittle and turn yellow. But high-quality polycarbonate sheets are already equipped with sun protection when they leave the factory.
During the production process, extrusion is used to firmly integrate a layer of highly concentrated UV absorbers onto the surface of the sheet. This protective layer can block over 98% of harmful UV rays.
In addition to UV protection, these sheets also have excellent frost and heat resistance capabilities. Polycarbonate Lexan sheets can withstand temperatures from minus 40 degrees below zero in extreme cold to 120 degrees in high temperatures. The polycarbonate sheets maintain stable performance within such a wide range. If exposed to heat for a short period, it can even withstand up to 150 degrees.
Flame Retardant and Thermal Performance
In terms of flame retardant, polycarbonate sheets can reach the V-0 or V-2 flame retardant level as per the UL 94 standard. Its heat distortion temperature is approximately 135℃, so it is not easy to catch fire. Even if it accidentally catches fire, it can immediately go out by itself once the source of fire is removed.
One more point is its strong heat insulation ability. Compared to ordinary glass of the same thickness, its heat insulation performance can be approximately 7% to 25% better. This means that when you are using it to build a shelter or as a light roof in summer, the room won’t suddenly turn into a sauna like a glass house.
Industrial Applications of Polycarbonate Lexan Sheets
With the aforementioned properties, polycarbonate Lexan sheets have extensive applications in various industries such as building, agricultural greenhouses, safety protection, etc.
Architectural and Construction Use
Polycarbonate Lexan sheets are a good choice for sports venues, station canopies, lighting skylights and sound insulation barriers. The sheets not only offer excellent lighting but also can withstand extreme weather conditions such as hail and strong winds.
Industry Manufacture
In factory workshops, polycarbonate Lexan sheets are often used to make machine protective covers, which can isolate the rotating machine parts and flying iron filings inside to ensure the safety of the workers. The key point is that it is completely transparent, allowing operators to clearly see the operation inside without any obstruction.
Another typical example is the noise barriers on both sides of high-speed railway lines. The sheets can block approximately 28 decibels of noise, so the noise reduction effect is very practical. And the wind resistance capacity can reach over 3.5 kilopascals, which means that the sheets can withstand the strong wind generated by a speeding train.
Automotive and Transportation
Polycarbonate Lexan sheets have extremely high light transmittance, and when heated, they can be moulded into various shapes. So this material is particularly suitable for use in vehicle manufacturing. For instance, the lens cover of the car headlights, the panoramic sunroof on the roof, and the various curved interior panels inside the car, etc.
The most crucial point is that this material is very lightweight. For the currently popular new energy vehicles, energy conservation and emission reduction are one of the primary requirements. The lighter the vehicle body is, the less electricity it consumes, and the longer its range will be. polycarbonate sheets are also used for EV charging stations as weather-resistant enclosure materials
Agricultural Applications
In the agricultural greenhouse, polycarbonate Lexan sheets are a typical greenhouse material. There are two reasons: one is high light transmittance; the other is insulation.
Because there is an air layer in the middle of the sheets, the heat inside is not easy to dissipate.
The greenhouse is like creating an almost perfect sunroom, which can provide the crops with conditions close to the ideal state for photosynthesis. According to statistics, the energy savings achieved by using this greenhouse are 30% to 40% higher compared to those using ordinary glass.
Security and Public Facilities
Polycarbonate Lexan sheets have extremely high impact resistance, so they are the core material used in manufacturing bulletproof glass for bank counters, riot shields, and prison windows, etc. Because they do not produce sharp fragments like glass when subjected to intense impact, they can significantly reduce the risk of secondary injuries.
Advertising and Display
Polycarbonate Lexan sheets are widely used in the advertising and display industries because they look transparent and are particularly resistant to wind, sun, and rain. For example, LED advertising screens, outdoor advertising light boxes, store display cabinets, and various signs, etc.
Differences between Polycarbonate Lexan Sheets and Other Materials
Polycarbonate Lexan Sheets vs Glass
The impact resistance of polycarbonate Lexan sheets is 250 times that of glass, while their weight is only half that of glass. And polycarbonate Lexan sheets are extremely safe and do not shatter. But the surface of the sheets is not as scratch-resistant as glass.
Polycarbonate Lexan Sheets vs Acrylic Sheets
Acrylic sheets have high light transmittance from 92% to 95%, and they also have a higher surface hardness and greater wear resistance. Polycarbonate Lexan sheets have a 30-times higher impact resistance than acrylic and offer better flame retardancy. The polycarbonate Lexan sheets are resistant to low temperatures and do not crack even at -40℃.
So if the project is located outdoors or has higher safety requirements, polycarbonate is the preferred choice. If it is an indoor display, acrylic might be a more cost-effective option.
Polycarbonate Lexan Sheets vs HDPE Sheets
The polycarbonate Lexan sheets are transparent, while the HDPE sheets are opaque or semi-transparent. And the polycarbonate Lexan sheets have good strength and rigidity, while the advantage of HDPE sheets is their stronger chemical corrosion resistance.
Polycarbonate Lexan Sheets vs PVC Sheets
The impact resistance and heat resistance of polycarbonate Lexan sheets exceed those of PVC. They are unlikely to become brittle when used outdoors for a long time. And the smoke emission and toxicity during combustion of polycarbonate sheets are much lower than those of PVC.
Polycarbonate Lexan Sheets vs ABS Sheets
ABS sheets have excellent electrical insulation properties and is suitable for use in electrical enclosures. But ABS sheets are non-transparent and tend to age in outdoor conditions. In light-transmitting applications, polycarbonate Lexan sheets not only have good heat and weather resistance but also are impact-resistant.
FAQ
What Processing Methods of Polycarbonate Lexan Sheets? And How Do You Select the Right Solution?
Polycarbonate Lexan Sheets are very convenient to process. Cold processing such as sawing, drilling, and milling can be carried out at room temperature. Arc shapes can also be made through hot forming. Laser cutting can be used for sheet cutting.
For simple planar shapes, cold processing is good; if you require bending, the sheets need to be heated evenly with a hot air gun or oven at 180°C – 210°C.
Do Polycarbonate Lexan Sheets Turn Yellow over Time?
This depends on the quality of the sheets. Common polycarbonate Lexan sheets without UV protection may start to yellow outdoors within 3 to 6 months. Polycarbonate Lexan sheets with the UV coating will be guaranteed for a 10-year yellowing index, so the color will remain pure even after long-term use.
How Do You Clean Polycarbonate Lexan Sheets?
You can rinse the surface with a mild and soft detergent and plenty of warm water to remove sand and dust. Then you can use a soft sponge or cotton cloth to gently wipe. We suggest that you strictly prohibit the use of hard-bristled brushes, steel wool and organic solvents such as nail polish remover and acetone, because these will immediately corrode the surface of the sheets.
What Thickness of Polycarbonate Lexan Sheets Should Be Chosen for Your Project?
If you want small display stands, the 0.8 mm- 2 mm are the preferred choice. If you are building a sunroom skylight or a vegetable greenhouse, this thickness between 3 and 6 mm is commonly used.
For a shopping mall lighting canopy or a soundproof wall, the thickness of sheets uaually are 8mm – 12mm. Thicknesses of 15mm and above are more commonly used for professional protection purposes.
Can Polycarbonate Lexan Sheets Be Used for Food Contact?
Yes. Some polycarbonate Lexan sheets have been certified by the US FDA standard. So the sheet can be used for food contact, such as food containers, water tanks for water dispensers, hospital trays, water bottles, etc.
Final Thoughts
WeeTect is your top choice for selecting the right polycarbonate Lexan sheets. We have extensive experience in customization and our materials have been supplied stably to various factories for different industries for many years. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us at any time to obtain quotations or samples.
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