A security glazing panel lost its clarity after a year of cleaning with a dry wipe. The polycarbonate was fine — it was the abrasion-resistant polycarbonate sheet question: bare PC scratches, and the panel had not been hard-coated.
Where the coating earns its cost
Bare polycarbonate is tough against impact but soft against scratches, which is a problem only where the surface gets handled, wiped or hit by debris. In a machine guard, a window wiped daily, or exterior glazing cleaned often, a hard coating resists the fine scratches that turn the panel hazy. Where the sheet is installed once and left alone, bare sheet is usually enough. The decision is how often the surface gets touched, not the material’s impact strength.
Ask where the surface gets touched
- How often the panel is wiped or handled.
- Whether debris or grit contacts the surface.
- Hard-coated sheet for frequent-touch applications.
- Bare sheet when the panel is installed and left alone.
How the hard-coated option performs on machine guards is covered in the hard coated polycarbonate sheet for machine guards guide, and the coating on ballistic panels in hard coated ballistic polycarbonate.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Why does bare polycarbonate scratch so easily?
A:Polycarbonate is tough against impact but soft against scratches. When the surface is wiped, handled or hit by debris, the fine scratches build up and turn the sheet hazy, which is why hard coating is added where clarity matters.
Q: When is abrasion-resistant polycarbonate sheet worth the extra cost?
A:Where the surface gets handled often — machine guards, windows cleaned daily, or exterior glazing. Where the sheet is installed and left alone, bare polycarbonate is usually enough.
For polycarbonate or acrylic machine guard sheet cut and drilled to your frame and drawing, email oversales@rpplexiglass.com with the panel dimensions, thickness, hole positions and coating requirement.