Difference between revisions of "Glazing comparison"

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***Record in progress
 
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==Description==   
 
==Description==   
 
Any optically transparent thermoplastic sheet that may be used as a replacement for window glass.  Most commonly used polymer types include acrylics, polycarbonates, and polyesters.
 
Any optically transparent thermoplastic sheet that may be used as a replacement for window glass.  Most commonly used polymer types include acrylics, polycarbonates, and polyesters.
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! Polymer
 
! Polymer
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! Advantages
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! Advantages/Strengths
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! Limitations
 
! Applications
 
! Applications
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! Commercial brands
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! Brand names
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| Acrylic (PMMA)
 
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| Optically clear, lightweight, high resistance to UV light and weathering  can be obtained in many sizes and shapes, forming does not affect clarity; shatter resistant
 
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| Display cases, light fixtures,  transparent shelves for lightweight materials, indoor and outdoor signage
 
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| Optix, Plexiglas, Acrylite
 
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| Polycarbonate (PC)
 
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| High strength and stiffness (more than 200 times stronger than glass);  lighter than glass; easy to machine, impact resistant, may be exposed to high  heat
 
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| Bullet proof windows and doors,  windshields and protective barriers, eyewear, visors in sporting gear, cell phones, signage; furniture; UV grades available
 
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| Lexan; Tuffak (formerly  Makrolon); Palsun; Trizod
 
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| Polyethylene Terephphthalate (PET)
 
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| General purpose; inexpensive; high strength; resistant to chemicals
 
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| Water bottles, Fibers, films
 
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| Vivak, Dartex
 
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| Amorphous Copolyester (PETG)
 
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| Wide range of properties with excellent clarity; high strength; resistant to chemicals and heat.
 
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| Often used as a substitute for PC or PMMA
 
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| Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC)
 
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| Water-clear clarity; high impact strength ; excellent chemical resistance; fire resistant
 
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| Safety glazing (sneeze guards for COVID); windows; packaging, bags, connectors, valves; UV grades available
 
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| Liquid Silicone Rubber (LSR)
 
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| Low viscosity elastomer with excellent optical clarity and durability; lightweight; easy to process, heat and UV resistant
 
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| Lighting, electronics
 
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| Cyclic Olefin Copolymers (COC)
 
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| Transparent thermoplastic with good mechanical and moisture barrier properties; high stiffness and strength; may be streilized
 
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| Packaging, optical discs, lenses, medical applications
 
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| Polyethylene (PE)
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| Acrylic  (PMMA)
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| LDPE has good transparency and toughness; very durable
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| Optically clear; lightweight;  good dimensional stability; available in many sizes and shapes; forming does  not affect clarity; resistant to UV light and weathering; good moldability;  recyclable (type 7)
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| Bags, films, plastic parts; tubes
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| Shelves can sag/crack under  weight;  can be broken, scratched,   shattered; not resistant to aromatic HCs
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|  
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| Display cases, light fixtures,  transparent shelves for lightweight materials, indoor and outdoor signage; UV  grades available
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| Acrylite; Altuglas; Lucite;  Optix; Plexiglas;  [https://omnexus.specialchem.com/selection-guide/polymethyl-methacrylate-pmma-acrylic-plastic/brands  PMMA Brands]
 
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| Ionomer Resin
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| Polycarbonate  (PC)
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| Outstanding clarity and toughness; very lightweight
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| High strength and stiffness;   lightweight; easy to machine; impact resistant; heat resistant to 135C; flame  retardant; abrasion resistant; can accept printing temps to 260-300C;  recyclable (type 7)
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| Luxury decorative items that are transparent and scratch resistant; packaging; medical devices, bottles
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| Attacked by hydrocarbons, oil  and bases; hot water immersion reduces physical properties; UV stabilizers  needed to minimize UV degradation has poor stress cracking performance
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|  
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| Bullet proof windows and doors,  windshields; headlamps; safety helmets; , visors in sporting gear, signage;  UV grade signs for outdoor use
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| Lexan; Tuffak (formerly  Makrolon); Palsun; Trizod;  [https://omnexus.specialchem.com/selection-guide/polycarbonate-pc-plastic/brands  PC brands]
 
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| Transparent Polypropylene (PP)
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| Polyester  Terephalate (PET)
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| Contains additives called clarifiers; have design flexibility, inexpensive and are recyclable
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| Low gas permeability; strong;  lightweight; doesn’t break or fracture; safe for foods and beverages;  excellent resistance to alcohols, oils, and acids; most often used for 3D  printing; recyclable (type 1)
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| Storage boxes, packaging
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| Low impact strength, low  moldability; easily degrades in UV light
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|  
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| Films and sheets; fibers; food  and beverage containers; geotextiles, electronics
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| Mylar; Melinex;  [https://omnexus.specialchem.com/selection-guide/polyethylene-terephthalate-pet-plastic/brands  PET Brands]
 
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| Fluorinated Ethylene Propylene (FEP)
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| Polyethylene  (LDPE)
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| Excellent optical properties (transmits UV, Visible, and IR radiation); most chemically inert; outstanding weathering properties
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| Very lightweight; flexible; good  transparency; high impact strength; resistant to acids and bases; good  weathering resistance; very low water absorption; recyclable (type 4)
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|  
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| Low strength, stiffness;  susceptible to stress cracking; high gas permeability; highly flammable;   cannot be welded using high frequency
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|  
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| Films, bags, bottles, tubing,  laminates, extrusion molding
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| [[Volara]]; [[Tyvek]];  [[Tupperware]]; [[Plastazote]]; [[Correx]]; [[Polythene]];  [https://omnexus.specialchem.com/selection-guide/polyethylene-plastic/brands  PE brands]
 
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| Styrene Methyl Methacrylate (SMMA)
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| Polyethylene  (HDPE)
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| High clarity with glossy surface; excellent thermal stability; scratch resistant; strong and stiff
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| Excellent chamical resistance;  high tensile strength; semi-flexible; good weathering resistance, low water  absorption; excellent moisture barrier; recyclable (type 2)
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| Household products, glassware, medical devices
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| Translucent to opaque;  susceptible to stress cracking; high mold shrinkage; cannot be welded using  high frequency
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|  
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| Hollow plastic products, pipes;  crates; ice boxes, trash cans, wiring and cables ; ropes and nets
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| [[Volara]]; [[Tyvek]];  [[Tupperware]];  [[Plastazote]];  [[Correx]]; [[Polythene]];  [https://omnexus.specialchem.com/selection-guide/polyethylene-plastic/brands  PE brands]
 
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| Styrene Acrylonitrile Resins (SAN)
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| Transparent  Polypropylene (PP)
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| Transparent and durable, high resistance to chemicals, breakage and scratches
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| Inexpensive but difficult to  obtain transparent sheets unless clarifying additives are used; good  stiffness and barrier properties; durable; resistant to stress cracking;  recyclable (type 5)
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| Appliances, furniture, automotive parts
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| Highly flammable; sensitive to  UV and  microbes; poor resistance to   impact and scratches; poor paint adhesion; adversely affected by contact with  metals
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|  
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| Packaging, storage boxes;  textiles, pipes, automobiles;
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| [https://omnexus.specialchem.com/selection-guide/polypropylene-pp-plastic/brands  PP Brands]
 
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| Polystyrene (General Purpose - GPPS)
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| Rigid PVC  (Clear), unplasticized
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| Inexpensive with good clarity; high stiffness and good dimensional stability; excellent heat resistance; good electrical insulation
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| Lightweight; 'water clear'  clarity; optional high-impact and UV resistance with additives; formable;  abrasion resistant; high fire rating; recyclable (type 3)
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| Toys, CD cases, shower enclosure panels, boxes, refrigerator shelves; plastic cups; disposable products; easily cracks
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| Not easy to recycle; only  flexible when plasticized; poor heat stability; releases chlorine with  degradation; difficult to melt
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|
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| Window frames, house siding;  pipes, laminates car seate backs credit cards, traffic signs
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| Geon; Dural; Komacel; Komatex;  Forex; sintra; PALIGHT;   [https://omnexus.specialchem.com/selection-guide/polyvinyl-chloride-pvc-plastic/brands  PVC brands]
 
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| MABS (Methyl methacrylate ABS)
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| Transparent  ABS  (MABS)
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| High light transmittance with low haze; introduced as an alternative to PC
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| High rigidity and dimensional  stability; good weldability; high impact and abrasion resistance; good  insulating properties; often used in 3d printing;  recyclable (type 9)
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| appliances, sporting goods, medical devices
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| Poor weathering resistant; burns  easily; poor solvent resistance; low continuous service temperature; often  blended with other polymers
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|
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| Usually reinforced with fibers  or minerals or blended with other polymers; used in autos, appliances,   household goods, and electronics
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| Abson; Cycolac;  [https://omnexus.specialchem.com/selection-guide/acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene-abs-plastic/brands  ABS brands]
 
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Revision as of 13:42, 18 September 2023

Description

Any optically transparent thermoplastic sheet that may be used as a replacement for window glass. Most commonly used polymer types include acrylics, polycarbonates, and polyesters.

Polymer Advantages/Strengths Limitations Applications Brand names
Acrylic (PMMA) Optically clear; lightweight; good dimensional stability; available in many sizes and shapes; forming does not affect clarity; resistant to UV light and weathering; good moldability; recyclable (type 7) Shelves can sag/crack under weight; can be broken, scratched, shattered; not resistant to aromatic HCs Display cases, light fixtures, transparent shelves for lightweight materials, indoor and outdoor signage; UV grades available Acrylite; Altuglas; Lucite; Optix; Plexiglas; PMMA Brands
Polycarbonate (PC) High strength and stiffness; lightweight; easy to machine; impact resistant; heat resistant to 135C; flame retardant; abrasion resistant; can accept printing temps to 260-300C; recyclable (type 7) Attacked by hydrocarbons, oil and bases; hot water immersion reduces physical properties; UV stabilizers needed to minimize UV degradation has poor stress cracking performance Bullet proof windows and doors, windshields; headlamps; safety helmets; , visors in sporting gear, signage; UV grade signs for outdoor use Lexan; Tuffak (formerly Makrolon); Palsun; Trizod; PC brands
Polyester Terephalate (PET) Low gas permeability; strong; lightweight; doesn’t break or fracture; safe for foods and beverages; excellent resistance to alcohols, oils, and acids; most often used for 3D printing; recyclable (type 1) Low impact strength, low moldability; easily degrades in UV light Films and sheets; fibers; food and beverage containers; geotextiles, electronics Mylar; Melinex; PET Brands
Polyethylene (LDPE) Very lightweight; flexible; good transparency; high impact strength; resistant to acids and bases; good weathering resistance; very low water absorption; recyclable (type 4) Low strength, stiffness; susceptible to stress cracking; high gas permeability; highly flammable; cannot be welded using high frequency Films, bags, bottles, tubing, laminates, extrusion molding Volara; Tyvek; Tupperware; Plastazote; Correx; Polythene; PE brands
Polyethylene (HDPE) Excellent chamical resistance; high tensile strength; semi-flexible; good weathering resistance, low water absorption; excellent moisture barrier; recyclable (type 2) Translucent to opaque; susceptible to stress cracking; high mold shrinkage; cannot be welded using high frequency Hollow plastic products, pipes; crates; ice boxes, trash cans, wiring and cables ; ropes and nets Volara; Tyvek; Tupperware; Plastazote; Correx; Polythene; PE brands
Transparent Polypropylene (PP) Inexpensive but difficult to obtain transparent sheets unless clarifying additives are used; good stiffness and barrier properties; durable; resistant to stress cracking; recyclable (type 5) Highly flammable; sensitive to UV and microbes; poor resistance to impact and scratches; poor paint adhesion; adversely affected by contact with metals Packaging, storage boxes; textiles, pipes, automobiles; PP Brands
Rigid PVC (Clear), unplasticized Lightweight; 'water clear' clarity; optional high-impact and UV resistance with additives; formable; abrasion resistant; high fire rating; recyclable (type 3) Not easy to recycle; only flexible when plasticized; poor heat stability; releases chlorine with degradation; difficult to melt Window frames, house siding; pipes, laminates car seate backs credit cards, traffic signs Geon; Dural; Komacel; Komatex; Forex; sintra; PALIGHT; PVC brands
Transparent ABS (MABS) High rigidity and dimensional stability; good weldability; high impact and abrasion resistance; good insulating properties; often used in 3d printing; recyclable (type 9) Poor weathering resistant; burns easily; poor solvent resistance; low continuous service temperature; often blended with other polymers Usually reinforced with fibers or minerals or blended with other polymers; used in autos, appliances, household goods, and electronics Abson; Cycolac; ABS brands

Physical and Chemical Properties

Polymer Melt Temperature C Extrusion Temperature C Density g/ml RI Visible light transmission (%) Haze (%) Shrinkage % Water absorption % Hardness Shore D Flex. Mod. Gpa (Bending stiffness) Tensile strength Mpa Izod impact J/m Coeffiient of Linear Thermal Expansion X105/C Fire Resistance (LOI) % Link
Acrylic (PMMA) 200-250 180-250 1.17 1.49 80-93 0.1-2.6 0.2-0.8 0.29-0.42 90-99 2.5-3.5 38-70 10-25 5-9 19-20 PMMA Properties
Polycarbonate (PC) 230-260 260-300 1.2 1.585 86-91 0.2-2.7 0.7-1.0 0.1-0.2 90-95 2.2-2.5 55-77 80-650 7-9 24-25 PC Properties
Polyester Terephalate (PET) 280-310 279-290 1.3-1.4 1.575 70-92 0.20-5.1 0.2-3.0 0.1-0.2 85-95 2.8-3.5 45-70 140 6-8 23-25 PET Properties
Polyethylene (LDPE) 105-115 0.92-0.94 1.476 4.4-94 1.3-27.5 2-4 0.005-0.015 40-50 0.245-0.335 10-20 no break 10-20 17-18 PE Properties
Polyethylene (HDPE) 120-140 0.94-0.97 80 6 1.5-4 0.005-0.01 60-70 0.75-1.575 25-45 20-220 6-11 17-18 PE Properties
Tr.Polyprop (PP) 160-165 200-300 0.9 1.347 85-90 11 1-3 0.01-0.1 70-83 1.2-1.6 20-40 27-107 6-17 17-18 PP Properties
Rigid PVC (Clear), unplasticized 170-210 1.35-1.5 1.381 80-87 2.5 0.1-0.6 0.03-0.4 65-90 2.1-3.5 35-60 20-110 5-18 40-45 PVC Properties
Tr. ABS (MABS) 210-270 210-240 1.02-1.21 1.52 86 3 0.7-1.6 0.5-1.8 100 1.6-2.4 30-48 20-160 7-15 19 ABS Properties

Resources and Citations

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