Security and Protection Industry
Security and protection have evolved over the years, developing with new technology to create a safer environment for the world. Whether you want personal protection or defense against a bomb threat, plastic is one of the best materials to make this equipment. The security and protection industry benefits from plastic.
If you’re interested in learning more about plastics in the security and protection industry, you’ve come to the right place. Read on to learn more about why you should use plastics in the security industry and the best types of plastics for security and protection purposes. The more you know, the easier it will be to select the ideal materials for your needs.
Why Use Plastics In Security?
Plastic might seem like a strange material to use for security and protection. Many people consider glass or metal a more practical solution, but plastic is the better option for a more secure facility. Why should you use plastics in a quality environment?
Here are a few reasons you should use plastics for security:
- It secures windows in cells for jails, psychiatric facilities, and other locations
- It creates bullet-resistant defenses for areas at a high risk
- It provides a safer windshield for recreational vehicles
- It is lightweight and easy to craft into a design of choice
- They will last in almost any environment
Plastic is an excellent choice to keep people safe in specific environments where additional security is necessary.
We’ve talked about why plastics are an excellent choice for security. Now, what are the ideal selections for plastic in the security industry? Let’s talk about the optimal options for plastic if you want an additional layer of defense in your work environment.
Common Plastics in Security and Protection
Plastic is an excellent choice for security and protection. However, only a few selections will serve well in this industry. There are four plastics you will see most often in security and defense.
Here are a few of the most common plastics used in security and protection:
- Acrylic mirror
- Polycarbonate
- Acrylic
- PETG
These will work well in a defensive environment.
Now that we’ve discussed the ideal plastics for security and defense, let’s dive deeper into the material. Each product is valuable and will serve a specific purpose in defense in the industry.
Acrylic Mirror
First up is an acrylic mirror. This product is lightweight and reflective, permitting an enhancement of the appearance and safety of displays. It’s an excellent replacement for a classic glass mirror, as this item will not splinter and break if pressed with enough force. Schools, jails, and other locations will benefit from the acrylic mirrors.
This product is flexible and resistant to shattering. It’s also lightweight, coming in at about half the weight of traditional glass. It’s easier to hang on walls and won’t break as easily as classic mirrors.
Acrylic is excellent for safety because it can operate as a nearly unbreakable two-way mirror. It also won’t break and provide individuals with weapons, allowing it to work as a reflective surface in prisons and hospitals. Dance studios use acrylic mirrors to keep their students safe.
Polycarbonate
Polycarbonate is another ideal selection for the security and protection industry. It comes in standard sheets, which are flame retardant, impact resistant, and can handle insulation well. They are ideal for security glazing tactics to help facilities where harsh attacks may occur at any moment.
This material can withstand temperatures and force over extended periods. It’s 30 times stronger than acrylic, six times lighter than glass, and 200 times stronger. It exists to last.
Polycarbonate is simple to fabricate and comes in many sizes and textures. It’s an excellent way to back up a system with a layer of security glazing in locations where people may become restless. Polycarbonate is made to last.
Acrylic
Acrylic is the simpler version of acrylic glass, and it also works well for the security and protection industry. It’s versatile and simple to fabricate. Acrylic is a durable material, built to enhance a product's ability to handle a strong impact. It’s an excellent replacement for less strong materials and even offers UV filtering.
One of the best uses for acrylic is as an alternative to bulletproof glass. Acrylic often goes in front of glass station attendants and bank tellers to defend them from any weapons an intruder might have. It appears much like glass, but it’s much stronger and lighter than the alternative.
There is a range of colors and thicknesses for acrylic, permitting creativity in defense. Acrylic serves as an excellent alternative to glass as a defense against flying bullets in the air. 
PETG
The last up is PETG. This product offers excellent clarity, strength, thermoforming, and fabrication abilities. It is much tougher than acrylic and is very durable, making it an excellent material as a defense in various locations needing safety measures.
PETG can withstand high temperatures, allowing it to stand between everything from high pressure to extreme heat. It will not break under stress and will withstand extreme attacks, time and time again. It’s one of the ideal selections for the security and protection industry.
The best part about PETG is that it can be cold bent without showing any white stress marks. This shaping allows defensive material in various shapes and sizes for full coverage in a location.
Final Thoughts
Although they might not be your first thought, plastics are some of the most valuable resources in the security and protection industry. Acrylic mirrors, polycarbonate, acrylic, and PETG are some of the best selections for these purposes. They will provide a quality layer of defense and will keep things safe, whether for personal or public protection.
If you’re interested in investing in protective plastics for the security and protection industry, contact us. Laird Plastics is a leading distributor of high-performance, sustainable plastics. We are ready to help you with safety and security plastics, no matter what you need them for. Reach out to us to get started.
