Is there a difference between acrylic and polycarbonate and, if so, is it important?
Sign Holders at Green Magic supplies a range of products made from both acrylic and polycarbonate. To help you buy with confidence, this is a short overview of both and their benefits.
What is acrylic?
Acrylic is a type of plastic, fibre, paint or fabric. It is robust, flexible and versatile. Additionally, it is clear, lightweight, very scratch resistant and stronger than ordinary glass. It won't shatter like glass but instead fractures into large pieces.
These characteristics have made acrylic hugely popular in the retail, hospitality and leisure sectors. Where ever signs or information needs to be clearly and prominently displayed - and regularly changed - acrylic sign holders come into their own. Take a look at the
acrylic poster holders category in our online shop for a great selection of menu holders and countertop display stands.
Unfortunately, acrylic is not easily recyclable; on the other hand, it has a long life and is BPA-free. This makes it far less harmful to the environment than poor quality plastic products which use more chemicals in manufacturing and do not last as long.
For a more in-depth look at acrylics, check out this resource:
https://omnexus.specialchem.com/selection-guide/polymethyl-methacrylate-pmma-acrylic-plastic
What is polycarbonate
Polycarbonate is a strong and tough thermoplastic. It is around 250x stronger than glass and 30x stronger than other popular plastics. Polycarbonate can be so strong it's used in police shields and for bullet-proofing!
Polycarbonate has a high level of heat, shock and humidity resistance, making it the perfect material for sign holders that will be placed in high footfall/impact areas. As an example,
our facilities checklist holders are made from polycarbonate as a stronger alternative to acrylic, although it does scratch more easily than acrylic.
Polycarbonate is fully recyclable and can be melted and remolded. Recently, there has been some development of bio-based polycarbonates and these will become more widely available in time.
For more information on polycarbonates, click the link:
https://omnexus.specialchem.com/selection-guide/polycarbonate-pc-plastic
Conclusion
This is a short introduction to a very technical subject! Each plastic has its advantages and disadvantages which can make it difficult to choose which to use. Rest assured, we've done our research and have chosen products made from the best material for the job. We take into account an item's intended use, cost and durability and test our products to ensure that you get the best.
