Polypiù
Polycarbonate
VS Plexiglass
Plexiglass (or PMMA/Polymethylmethacrylate) is more transparent than glass, polycarbonate and fiberglass, having a transparency coefficient of 0.93. It resists shocks up to 12 Joules (for 4-mm thick), atmospheric agents, humidity and chemical agents. For this reason, it is widely used in the interior design industry.
It is a flexible material that can be thermoformed but is not as shatterproof and elastic as polycarbonate. It is available in different colors and thicknesses (from 1 to 30 mm). However, if it is exposed to the external environment it can present defects: over time and solar radiation, it tends to yellow if not treated with anti-UV additives, to harden and to crack. It also gets easily scratched and therefore requires moderate cleaning.
However, it is a material used for various applications without special technical needs, such as external covers, displays and showcases.
Benefits of plexiglass
- Transparency
- Resistance to chemical agents
- Modeling by thermoforming
- Colours and thickness customization
Disadvantages of plexiglass compared to polycarbonate
- Yellowing due to UV rays
- Poor impact resistance
- Requires moderate cleaning
- Reduced elasticity
- Poor fire resistance
- High quality/price ratio