About solid polycarbonate (monolithic polycarbonate)

Solid polycarbonate (monolithic polycarbonate) stands out among sheet plastics for its impact strength and wide service temperature range. Its impact strength is 250 times that of ordinary glass and almost 50 times that of acrylic.

That is why solid polycarbonate is used for protective, vandal-resistant glazing of transparent structures and for impact-resistant products.

Across the whole temperature range from -40 °C to +120 °C, the physical and mechanical properties of solid polycarbonate change only slightly.

Without special protection, polycarbonate is not UV-resistant, so sheets intended for outdoor use must have UV protection. During manufacture, a special UV-stabilised layer is applied to one or both sides of the sheet; this is indicated on the protective film.

Solid polycarbonate sheets can be clear, with light transmission of up to 90%, translucent (light-diffusing) or opaque. Sheet colours follow the manufacturers' samples.

Sheets with a profiled surface (corrugated and trapezoidal) and mirror-finish sheets are also produced.

For protective screens in particular, solid polycarbonate sheets are made with a coating that resists scratches and paint, so graffiti is easy to remove.

For sheets with special coatings or properties, forming conditions are specified separately (some sheets cannot be thermoformed or bent).

Typical structures and products made from solid polycarbonate are listed below:

• transparent pedestrian walkways

• roadside noise barriers

• transparent roofing for conservatories and greenhouses

• impact-resistant partitions and barriers

• bullet-resistant partitions

• transparent building domes

• impact-resistant lamp covers

• vandal-resistant glazing (with a special anti-graffiti coating)

• protective visors and helmets

• moulded impact-resistant products.