Is polycarbonate stronger than acrylic?

Yes. Polycarbonate is significantly more impact-resistant than acrylic. Acrylic offers better inherent scratch resistance, while polycarbonate excels in toughness and durability.

Can polycarbonate be used outdoors?

Yes—use UV-stabilized grades or coatings to maintain clarity and weatherability in outdoor environments.

How do you cut and bend polycarbonate?

Use carbide-tipped tools at moderate speeds for cutting and drilling. For bending, apply controlled heat along the bend line and follow recommended minimum bend radii.

Does polycarbonate scratch easily?

Compared to glass or acrylic, uncoated polycarbonate can scratch more readily. Specify abrasion-resistant (AR) coated sheets for high-wear applications.

Is food-contact grade polycarbonate available?

Certain grades can meet regulatory requirements. Consult Laird Plastics for product selection and compliance guidance for your application.

What is Polycarbonate?

Q: What is polycarbonate?

Polycarbonate (PC) is a transparent, impact-resistant engineering thermoplastic known for high toughness, optical clarity, and heat performance. It’s widely used for glazing, machine guards, lenses, and protective enclosures.

What Is Polycarbonate?

Polycarbonate (PC) is a durable, clear engineering plastic prized for exceptional impact resistance, optical clarity, and heat performance. Laird Plastics supplies and fabricates polycarbonate sheets and parts for demanding applications across construction, safety, transportation, and more.

What it is (quick answer)

Polycarbonate is a tough, transparent thermoplastic used when you need glass-like clarity with far higher impact strength. It’s lightweight, machinable, and available in UV-stabilized and abrasion-resistant grades.

Use it when

Shatter resistance and safety are critical
Weight savings over glass improve handling
You need heat performance and dimensional stability

Avoid / consider alternatives when

Maximum scratch resistance is required
Continuous high-temperature use exceeds limits
Long-term outdoor clarity without UV stabilization

Polycarbonate at a Glance — Quick Facts

Density	~1.20–1.22 g/cm³
Impact strength	Extremely high
Glass transition temperature	~147 °C
Heat deflection temperature	~128–140 °C
Light transmission	~88–90%
Weight vs glass	~50% of glass weight
Outdoor use	Specify UV-stabilized grades or coatings
Surface hardness	Lower than acrylic; AR-coating recommended

Key Benefits of Polycarbonate

Virtually unbreakable
Lightweight & clear
Heat performance
Fabrication-friendly
Outdoor capable
Specialty finishes available

Common Applications

Architectural & Glazing

Skylights, roof domes, sound barriers
Security windows, partitions

Safety & Machine Guarding

Machine guards
Face shields, riot shields

Polycarbonate vs. Other Materials

Polycarbonate vs. Acrylic

Polycarbonate is tougher; acrylic resists scratches better.

Polycarbonate vs. Glass

Polycarbonate is lighter and virtually shatterproof; glass is more scratch-resistant.

How to Work with Polycarbonate

Cutting & Drilling

Use carbide-tipped tools
Moderate speeds/feeds

Bending & Forming

Controlled heat
Follow bend radii guidelines

Get Polycarbonate Cut-to-Size

Need clear, impact-resistant glazing or machine guards? Laird Plastics can help you choose the right polycarbonate sheet, including UV-stabilized and abrasion-resistant options. Ask about fabrication services for cut-to-size parts.