Acrylic vs Polycarbonate
Skylights
Acrylic and polycarbonate are both transparent polymers that are often used for windows and other applications that require a transparent material. They have different characteristics, including:
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AppearanceAcrylic is shinier and has a high-gloss finish, while polycarbonate can have a slight blue or gray tint. Acrylic also tends to stay "water" clear over time, while polycarbonate can yellow over time with exposure to UV rays.
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CostAcrylic is generally cheaper than polycarbonate.
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Impact resistancePolycarbonate is more impact resistant than acrylic, and is about 250 times more impact resistant than glass, compared to acrylic's 10 times more impact resistant than glass.
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Scratch resistanceAcrylic is less likely to scratch than polycarbonate, but both can scratch, so abrasive cleaning solutions and rough sponges should be avoided.
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Chemical resistancePolycarbonate is more resistant to chemicals than acrylic, and acrylic should not be cleaned with glass cleaners or ammonia-based sprays.
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FlexibilityAcrylic is more rigid than polycarbonate at room temperature, but both can be bent under heat. Polycarbonate can also be purchased in various flexible grades.
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Light transmittanceAcrylic has a slightly higher light transmittance than polycarbonate, at 92% compared to polycarbonate's 88%