Acrylic Sheet Vs Pvc Sheet

Learn more about how to choose between polycarbonate vs.

Acrylic sheet vs pvc sheet. Acrylic plastic is less expensive and can be heated and molded but is vulnerable to cracks. Polycarbonate is not able to be polished in order to restore clarity whereas acrylic can be polished if there s a very small imperfection present. The material became available for commercial use in 1936 under the protected trademark plexiglas. Polycarbonate sheet has 89 transmission of light compared to 92 for acrylic.

Generally speaking acrylic sheeting is shinier and polycarbonate sheet is stronger. Acrylic parts are unfortunately significantly more expensive than products made from king starboard or expanded pvc. Acrylic vs pvc laminates. Acrylic sheet is in itself more expensive than other plastic sheet materials and this price differential is compounded by the fact that acrylic parts must be sanded and polished on the edges to get the glossy finish.

Polycarbonate is yet another type of thermoplastic polymer used in manufacturing. Pvc laminates are more suitable for the lower half of a modular kitchen which sees regular handling whereas acrylic is ideal for the upper cabinets. It has superior weathering properties compared to many other transparent plastics. Acrylic and polycarbonate both weigh less than half of what a comparably sized piece of glass weighs yet they are both much stronger than glass.

Acrylic sheet is easy to fabricate bonds well with adhesives and solvents and is easy to thermoform. Many people associate polycarbonate with bullet proof glass because it is the same material used to make armored windows in government motorcade vehicles as well as airplane windows. Both materials are also very easy to clean. Uv resistant polycarbonate sheet has a typical product outdoor guarantee of up to 10 years whereas clear cast perspex acrylic sheet is guaranteed for 30 years outdoors.

The plastics distributor in town here sells it and stocks quite a few different types of pvc sheet stock and other sha pes like angles and i s and flats and t s as well as solid rods and tube not common with plumbing type tube sizes i have used weldon 16 to stick acrylic to pvc and also 4 on occassion but the 16 gives a much better degree of melt and fusion betweent the two and yes as far as silicone goes it sucks at sticking to pvc. Best of both a popular design strategy is to use a combination of both acrylic and pvc laminate sheets for the kitchen interiors. Both materials are also commonly offered with additional scratch resistant coated grades if the application requires superior scratch and mar resistance. Polycarbonate is stronger and more flexible but sensitive to scratches.