{"id":140,"date":"2025-09-04T05:35:03","date_gmt":"2025-09-04T05:35:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.kapoorplastics.com\/blog\/?p=140"},"modified":"2026-04-25T08:49:10","modified_gmt":"2026-04-25T08:49:10","slug":"acrylic-vs-polycarbonate","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.kapoorplastics.com\/blog\/acrylic-vs-polycarbonate\/","title":{"rendered":"Acrylic vs Polycarbonate Sheet: Complete Comparison Guide for 2026"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n\n\n\n

By Kapoor Plastics Team | Last Updated: April 2026 | 10 min read | Authorized Dealer: PLEXIGLAS\u00ae & LEXAN\u2122<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

Quick Answer: Which Should You Choose?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Choose Acrylic if:<\/strong>\u00a0You need superior optical clarity, UV resistance, cost-effectiveness, and ease of fabrication for applications like displays, signage, or architectural glazing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Choose Polycarbonate if:<\/b> You need maximum impact resistance, heat resistance, and structural strength for applications like safety barriers, machine guards, or bulletproof panels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

Choosing between\u00a0acrylic sheets<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0polycarbonate sheets<\/a>\u00a0is one of the most critical decisions in plastic material selection. As authorized dealers of both\u00a0PLEXIGLAS\u00ae<\/strong>\u00a0(premium acrylic) and\u00a0LEXAN\u2122<\/strong>\u00a0(premium polycarbonate), we at Kapoor Plastics have helped thousands of customers across India make the right choice for their specific applications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This comprehensive guide compares acrylic and polycarbonate across 15+ critical parameters, helping you understand not just the differences, but which material will deliver the best performance and value for your specific project requirements.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

Detailed Property Comparison Table<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Property<\/th> Acrylic (PLEXIGLAS\u00ae)<\/th> Polycarbonate (LEXAN\u2122)<\/th> Winner<\/th> <\/tr> <\/thead>
Optical Clarity<\/strong><\/td> 92% light transmission<\/td> 88-90% light transmission<\/td> Acrylic\u00a0BEST<\/span><\/td> <\/tr>
Impact Resistance<\/strong><\/td> 17x stronger than glass<\/td> 250x stronger than glass<\/td> Polycarbonate\u00a0BEST<\/span><\/td> <\/tr>
UV Resistance<\/strong><\/td> Excellent (no yellowing)<\/td> Good (with UV coating)<\/td> Acrylic\u00a0BEST<\/span><\/td> <\/tr>
Price (per sq ft)<\/strong><\/td> \u20b980-150<\/td> \u20b9150-300<\/td> Acrylic\u00a0BEST<\/span><\/td> <\/tr>
Temperature Range<\/strong><\/td> -40\u00b0C to +80\u00b0C<\/td> -40\u00b0C to +120\u00b0C<\/td> Polycarbonate\u00a0BEST<\/span><\/td> <\/tr>
Scratch Resistance<\/strong><\/td> Good<\/td> Poor (needs coating)<\/td> Acrylic\u00a0BEST<\/span><\/td> <\/tr>
Chemical Resistance<\/strong><\/td> Excellent<\/td> Good<\/td> Acrylic\u00a0BEST<\/span><\/td> <\/tr>
Machining\/Cutting<\/strong><\/td> Easy (no melting)<\/td> Moderate (tends to melt)<\/td> Acrylic\u00a0BEST<\/span><\/td> <\/tr>
Weight<\/strong><\/td> 1.19 g\/cm\u00b3<\/td> 1.20 g\/cm\u00b3<\/td> Similar<\/td> <\/tr>
Fire Resistance<\/strong><\/td> B2 (normal flammability)<\/td> B1 (difficult to ignite)<\/td> Polycarbonate\u00a0BEST<\/span><\/td> <\/tr> <\/tbody><\/table>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

Physical Properties: In-Depth Analysis

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Strength and Impact Resistance
<\/h3>\n\n\n\nWhen it comes to impact resistance, polycarbonate is the undisputed champion.\u00a0LEXAN\u2122 polycarbonate sheets<\/a>\u00a0are virtually unbreakable under normal conditions, making them ideal for\u00a0Helmets and Visor,\u00a0<\/a>machine guards<\/a>, and\u00a0railway applications<\/a>.\n\n\n\n

However, plexiglass\/acrylic sheets still offer 17 times the impact resistance of glass, which is sufficient for most applications including\u00a0pools<\/a>,\u00a0furniture<\/a>, and\u00a0indoor and outdoor applications<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pro Tip: For applications requiring both clarity and safety, consider using acrylic for the viewing area and polycarbonate for high-risk zones.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Optical Clarity and Light Transmission<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Acrylic\u2019s superior optical clarity makes it the preferred choice when visual quality is paramount. With 92% light transmission, clear acrylic sheets are optically superior to glass (90%) and significantly clearer than polycarbonate (88-90%).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This clarity difference becomes more pronounced in thicker sheets. A 10mm acrylic sheet maintains excellent clarity, while polycarbonate at the same thickness may show slight distortion or a subtle blue-green tint.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

UV Resistance and Outdoor Weathering<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

PLEXIGLAS\u00ae<\/a> is intrinsically UV-stable through the sheet, which helps it maintain clarity over years of outdoor exposure. LEXAN\u2122 polycarbonate is highly durable outdoors when you specify\u00a0UV-protected grades<\/em>\u00a0that include a protective layer on one or both faces.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

Cost Comparison and ROI Analysis
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Initial Investment<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Acrylic is usually the more affordable option, costing about 40-50% less than polycarbonate. It is easier to cut and work with, which lowers installation costs. In the end, the total project expense often comes down with acrylic, but it is still smart to compare overall cost and durability before choosing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Long-term Value Considerations<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

While polycarbonate has a higher upfront cost, its superior durability can provide better ROI for high-impact applications. Consider these factors:<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n

Acrylic Long-term Benefits
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