If you source plastic sheets for signage, glazing, machine guards, or retail displays, one question keeps coming up: acrylic or polycarbonate? Both are clear, both are strong, but they are engineered for very different jobs. Choosing the wrong one on a 40-foot container costs real money — and often a re-order.
The short answer
Pick acrylic (PMMA) when optical clarity, outdoor weathering, scratch resistance, and a polished edge matter most — display cases, light guides, signage, furniture, aquariums. Pick polycarbonate (PC) when impact resistance and heat resistance matter more than crystal clarity — machine guards, riot shields, roofing, bullet-resistant glazing, safety visors.
Side-by-side comparison
- Clarity: Acrylic wins — ~92% light transmission, glass-like. PC is ~88–90% and yellows faster outdoors without UV coating.
- Impact strength: PC wins decisively — up to 250x stronger than glass, about 30x acrylic. Acrylic cracks under sharp impact.
- Scratch resistance: Acrylic wins. PC scratches easily and almost always needs a hard coat.
- Heat resistance: PC wins — continuous use to ~115°C vs acrylic ~80°C.
- Thermoforming: Both form well; acrylic gives the cleanest optical result. PC tolerates deeper draws.
- Cost: PC is generally 20–40% more expensive per kg than standard cast/extruded acrylic.
Common sourcing mistakes to avoid
1. Equating “clear” with “equal.” A customer comparing a cheap PC sample against a premium cast acrylic will always prefer the acrylic optically — then complain when the PC panel cracks on install.
2. Skipping the UV stabilization spec. Outdoor PC and co-extruded acrylic both need a UV cap. Ask your supplier whether the UV layer is co-extruded on one side, both sides, or only a cosmetic hard coat. It directly predicts yellowing timeline.
3. Forgetting tolerances and sheet flatness. On large-format glazing, thickness tolerance (±0.1 mm vs ±0.3 mm) and bow/warpage drive your fabrication yield. Get mill certificates, not just “looks good” photos.
What to ask your manufacturer
- Cast or extruded? (Cast acrylic = better clarity & polish; extruded = tighter thickness, lower cost.)
- Which standard does it meet? (ISO 7823-1 for cast acrylic, ISO 7823-2 for extruded PMMA; ISO 11116 for PC.)
- UV-stabilized on which side? Both sides recommended for outdoor glazing.
- Minimum order, lead time, and whether sheets are masked on both sides for protection.
Not sure which sheet fits your project? Send us your application, thickness, and quantity — we’ll recommend acrylic, PC, or a PETG/ABS alternative with a quote, usually within one working day.