Glazing comparison

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

• Omnexus Materials Selection: List of Transparent Polymers