Perspex® acrylic vs polycarbonate

Perspex® acrylic and polycarbonate are two of the most widely used transparent plastic sheet materials. Both are lightweight alternatives to glass, but they have different strengths and are suited to different applications.

A quick note on terminology: Perspex® is a premium brand of acrylic sheet. In this guide, we use the term acrylic when discussing the material generally. Where we refer specifically to the branded acrylic sheet supplied by theplasticshop.co.uk, we use Perspex® acrylic.

Acrylic is often selected where optical clarity, appearance and long-term weather resistance are the main priorities. Polycarbonate is the stronger and more flexible option, making it particularly useful for demanding industrial applications where impact resistance matters.

This guide explains the practical differences between acrylic and polycarbonate sheet, helping you choose the right material for your application.

Perspex® acrylic vs polycarbonate: quick comparison

When should you choose Perspex® acrylic sheet?

Perspex® acrylic sheet is an excellent choice where appearance and clarity are particularly important. Clear Perspex® acrylic offers outstanding light transmission and is widely used as an attractive, practical alternative to glass.

Its rigidity, clean finish and long-term weather resistance make it well suited to applications such as:

• retail displays and point-of-sale equipment
• signage
• display cases
• lighting features
• internal and external glazing
• protective screens
• fabricated components where presentation matters

Perspex® acrylic retains its appearance and clarity well over time, making it a dependable option for both internal and external applications.

View Perspex® acrylic sheet cut to size

When should you choose polycarbonate sheet?

Polycarbonate sheet is the better choice where toughness and impact resistance are the main priorities. It is significantly more resistant to impact than acrylic and is less likely to crack or break under force.

This makes polycarbonate particularly suitable for demanding applications such as:

• industrial machine guards
• protective screens
• safety glazing
• factory and warehouse applications
• roofing and external glazing
• applications where flexibility is useful
• areas where accidental impact or damage is more likely

For prolonged outdoor exposure, it is important to select the appropriate UV-protected polycarbonate grade.

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Durability and impact resistance

The most significant difference between acrylic and polycarbonate is impact resistance.

Acrylic is rigid and offers a clean, high-quality finish, but it is more brittle than polycarbonate. It can crack if it is subjected to significant force or handled incorrectly during installation.

Polycarbonate is tougher and more flexible. Its ability to withstand impact makes it a particularly strong choice for industrial environments, safety applications and areas where accidental damage is more likely.

Optical clarity and appearance

Acrylic generally offers better optical clarity than polycarbonate, with very little colour bias. This makes Perspex® acrylic particularly suitable for displays, glazing, signage and other applications where appearance is important.

Polycarbonate is also transparent and works well for glazing, machine guards and protective screens. Depending on the grade and thickness, it may have a slight tint.

Outdoor applications and weather resistance

Perspex® acrylic offers excellent long-term weather resistance and retains its clarity well when exposed to the elements. It is a strong choice for many external applications where appearance matters.

Polycarbonate can also be used outdoors, particularly where its high impact resistance is needed. The correct UV-protected grade should be selected for prolonged external use.

Cutting, machining and fabrication

Both acrylic and polycarbonate can be cut, machined and fabricated, but they behave differently during processing.

Perspex® acrylic is rigid and well suited to cut-to-size applications, display work and a wide range of fabricated components. Care is needed during machining and installation because it can crack if handled incorrectly.

Polycarbonate is more flexible and tougher, making it useful where the finished component needs to withstand forming, impact or movement without breaking.

Chemical compatibility

Chemical resistance varies depending on the material grade and the substance involved. Neither acrylic nor polycarbonate should be selected solely on a broad assumption about chemical compatibility.

For industrial applications involving oils, cleaning products, solvents or other chemicals, it is sensible to check the specific requirements before placing an order. Our team can help you identify the most suitable option.

Cost considerations

Polycarbonate sheet is generally more expensive than acrylic because of its superior toughness, flexibility and resistance to impact.

The right choice depends on the application rather than price alone. Where optical clarity, finish and long-term appearance are the priorities, Perspex® acrylic may be the better option. Where impact resistance and durability matter more, the additional cost of polycarbonate may be worthwhile.

Buy Perspex® acrylic and polycarbonate sheet cut to size

theplasticshop.co.uk supplies Perspex® acrylic and polycarbonate sheet in a wide range of thicknesses and sizes, with cut-to-size options available online.

As an officially approved SABIC® polycarbonate and Perspex® acrylic stockist, we source our materials directly from the manufacturer. We also provide fabrication and machining support for more specific industrial and commercial requirements.

Buy Perspex® acrylic sheet cut to size
Buy polycarbonate sheet cut to size