Polycarbonate

Key Features:

• High Impact resistance
• Lightweight
• Industrial strength and hard wearing
• Impressive levels of weather and heat resistance
• High sound insulation
• Recyclable

What Are the Uses of Polycarbonate Sheets?

With UV protection and weather resistance, polycarbonate sheets are ideal for indoor and outdoor use as well as commercial and DIY projects. Polycarbonate plastic is often used by manufacturers for different purposes. As an example, polycarbonate is commonly used in the production of CDs, DVDs, mobile devices and laptops.

Our solid polycarbonate sheeting is perfect for use in the roofing industry and outdoor use as the high-quality material lasts year after year and is virtually unbreakable. Common uses of polycarbonate include:

• Canopy roofs
• Conservatory roofs
• Construction
• Components for automotive and aircraft
• Glazing
• Greenhouse roofing
• Lighting
• Machine guards
• Protective sneeze guards
• Security components
• Signage
• Skylights
• Vending Machines
• Vertical Glazing
• Walkways
  
  
  

FAQs

What are polycarbonate sheets?

Polycarbonate sheets are essentially a type of plastic that is made from a synthetic resin, which can be easily shaped and moulded. Polycarbonate sheeting is  strong, tough, has impressive levels of durability, and is known for its optical transparency. They are typically applied in multi-wall and solid construction applications. 

How do you clean polycarbonate sheets?

The best method to clean polycarbonate sheets is to use lukewarm water, mild soap and a microfiber cloth. The soft cloth will prevent scratches on the surface of the polycarbonate sheeting, and the soap is not harsh or corrosive enough to permanently damage it.

Are polycarbonate sheets stronger than acrylic?

Yes. Polycarbonate sheets are often used as an alternative to glass and acrylic because of their superior strength and impact resistance. In fact, solid polycarbonate c is roughly thirty times stronger than acrylic, making it incredibly useful for protective equipment and windows that benefit from strength. 

How do you remove scratches from polycarbonate?

Only small scratches can be effectively removed from solid polycarbonate sheets, as larger scratches are hardly worth the effort,  considering how long you spend attempting to remove them and the result. We recommend using a soft cloth and polishing paste to fill light scratches and eradicate their appearance from the polycarbonate sheeting. 

What is polycarbonate used for?

Polycarbonate sheeting is used for a wide range of applications, including safety glasses, greenhouses, skylights and bulletproof windows. Solid polycarbonate sheets have high impact resistance, which makes them suitable for applications where durability is crucial.

Why Use Polycarbonate?

Polycarbonate is a thermoplastic that comes in a transparent sheet and offers unique durability and is resistant to water and impact damage with its tough quality and minimal moisture absorbance. They also have excellent heat resistance, stability and are flame-retardant and chemical resistant.

Working with polycarbonate sheets is easy and the material can effortlessly be cut and fixed with screws, nuts and bolts. Using thermoforming and machining, polycarbonate can be shaped and sized with ease.

When heated at its melting point of 155 degrees Celsius, polycarbonate becomes a liquid and can be cooled and reheated continuously without significant degradation, making it easy to recycle or have injection moulded.

With its resistance and strength, polycarbonate is highly suitable for applications where safety and security are paramount.

How Do You Fit Polycarbonate Sheets?

If you’re planning on using polycarbonate for an upcoming project, you may be wondering how you can fit polycarbonate sheets. Whilst we do recommend using sealants, you can drill the material, provided that you are careful.

If you do decide to drill the sheet, to avoid cracks or any other damage, you will need to ensure that the sheet is firmly supported underneath and that you do not drill within 4mm of the edges of the sheet.

When cutting the polycarbonate sheets, you should only use a hand saw or a fine-tooth circular saw while the sheet is secured in place. To prevent unwanted ingress of moisture, dust or insects, we advise applying sealants in any exposed gaps within the material. Please note that we have roofing accessories available for multiwall.

Choosing your Polycarbonate Sheets with Sheet Plastics

If you have decided to purchase our solid polycarbonate sheets, you will need to think about the sheet thickness and colour, which is dependent on the project and usage. Please bear in mind that the thicker the polycarbonate sheet, the less heat will be transferred and conducted through. The transmission of light is also reduced as the polycarbonate thickness increases, so you may prefer to choose a sheet that isn’t as thick in size.

We offer a range of sizes, including:

2mm - Generally used for point of sale boards
3mm - Generally used for Greenhouse glazing
4mm - Generally used for Greenhouse glazing
5mm - Generally used for Greenhouse glazing
6mm - Most popular for Greenhouse glazing
10mm - Generally used for carports and canopies
16mm - Most popular for carports, canopies and sometimes conservatories
25mm - Generally used for conservatories, orangeries & atriums
32mm - Most popular for conservatory roofs 
35mm - Most popular for conservatory roofs (with its thermal properties)

We also have four colours of polycarbonate sheets to choose from, which include clear, opal, bronze and bronze tint.