Acrylic vs Polycarbonate: Which Material is Right for You?
A detailed comparison of acrylic and polycarbonate materials — covering strength, clarity, cost, and best applications to help you make the right choice.
When it comes to transparent plastic materials, acrylic and polycarbonate are the two most popular choices. Both have their strengths, but they serve different purposes.
Optical Clarity
Acrylic wins. Acrylic transmits 92% of visible light, making it clearer than glass. Polycarbonate transmits about 88% of light and can have a slight yellowish tint.
Impact Resistance
Polycarbonate wins. Polycarbonate is virtually unbreakable — about 250 times stronger than glass and 30 times stronger than acrylic. If your application requires extreme impact resistance (safety shields, machine guards), polycarbonate is the better choice.
Scratch Resistance
Acrylic wins. Acrylic is more scratch-resistant than polycarbonate out of the box. Minor scratches on acrylic can also be buffed out, while polycarbonate scratches are permanent without special coatings.
UV Resistance
Acrylic wins. Acrylic naturally filters UV light and doesn't yellow over time. Polycarbonate will yellow and become brittle with prolonged UV exposure unless it has a UV-protective coating.
Cost
Acrylic wins. Acrylic is generally 30-40% less expensive than polycarbonate for equivalent thickness and size.
Best Applications
| Application | Best Material |
|---|---|
| Display stands | Acrylic |
| Signage | Acrylic |
| Safety shields | Polycarbonate |
| Skylights | Polycarbonate |
| Photo frames | Acrylic |
| Machine guards | Polycarbonate |
| Home decor | Acrylic |
| Outdoor roofing | Polycarbonate |
Our Recommendation
For most decorative, display, and signage applications, acrylic is the superior choice. It offers better clarity, scratch resistance, and value. AcryliXpress exclusively uses Grade A casting acrylic for optimal results.
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