Description
Total protection with compact polycarbonate screens:
Maximum protection against COVID-19, protect yourself with our compact screens, made of polycarbonate, more resistant than methacrylate, with 6mm thickness.
- Easy to install (without screws).
- Quickly sterilizable.
- They can be disassembled and stored.
Hygienic and resistant
- More resistant than methacrylate.
- Quick assembly.
- No tools required.
- Sterilizable with alcohol.
- Removable.
- Easy to store.
What is polycarbonate and why is it stronger than methacrylate?
Polycarbonate is a group of thermoplastics, easy to work, mold and thermoform. It is usually presented in multilayer formed sheets. Thanks to its transparency and its resistance to high temperatures and impacts, polycarbonate can fulfill different functions, such as the replacement of glass.
Differences between methacrylate and polycarbonate:
One of the most frequently asked questions is which material is better and how methacrylate (or acrylic glass) differs from polycarbonate because in appearance they are very similar. Both one and the other are materials that can be adapted to our projects, the important thing when choosing between the two, are the differences in the properties of each material because they are not only in terms of the final finish, but also can limit or expand the uses of the finished object. Let’s see below some values that will help you decide which material to choose.
| Comparison of Polycarbonate and Methacrylate | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Factors | Methacrylate | Polycarbonate | ||
| Impact resistance | 170 times stronger than glass | Virtually unbreakable | ||
| Operating temperature | Up to 90 degrees | Up to 120 degrees of continuous use | ||
| Transparency index | Allows 92% of light to pass through | Allows 88% of light to pass through | ||
| Stiffness and strength | More rigid and therefore less resistant. | Less rigid >> more resistant | ||
| Resistance to chemical agents | And it does not emit toxic fumes | |||
| Fire resistance | Easy combustion | Strength of polycarbonate | ||
| Costs | Similar prices | |||
What is polycarbonate and why is it stronger than methacrylate?
Polycarbonate is a group of thermoplastics, easy to work, mold and thermoform. It is usually presented in multilayer formed sheets. Thanks to its transparency and its resistance to high temperatures and impacts, polycarbonate can fulfill different functions, such as replacing glass.
Differences between methacrylate and polycarbonate:
What is important when choosing between the two, are the differences between the properties of each material.
Impact resistance: Compared to glass, methacrylate is 17 times stronger and polycarbonate up to 250 times stronger (practically unbreakable).
Transparency index: Methacrylate (PMMA) allows 92.7% of light to pass through. Polycarbonate is below with an index of 88%.
Temperature of use: methacrylate is recommended up to 90 degrees. On the other hand, polycarbonate can withstand temperatures up to 120 degrees in continuous use.
Rigidity: Although it may not seem so due to the resistance and previous factors, methacrylate is more rigid. It should be considered that it is very light compared to glass and easy to handle (similar to wood). It weighs 60% less than glass.
Resistance to chemical agents: Although it depends on the specific products, in general polycarbonate offers better resistance to some solvents and methacrylate to oils and slightly alkaline products.
Resistance to chemical agents and fire: one of the strong points of polycarbonate is that it delays flame and does not emit toxic fumes. A disadvantage of methacrylate is its easy combustion, although it does not produce any toxic gas.
Costs: Historically, polycarbonate was much more expensive, but today the prices are very similar.
Ease of handling: methacrylate is easier to handle and cut, but especially to hot fold and glue. On the other hand, thin thicknesses of polycarbonate can be cold folded, which is very useful for adapting to curved surfaces.
