Plastic is such a universally prevalent and convenient-to-use material that the significant variations between the many different types of plastic can often be overlooked.
Both polycarbonate and acrylic plastic sheets, for example, are lightweight and transparent alternatives to conventional glass panes. Acrylic sheets however, whilst tough and both temperature and UV-resistant, are not as resilient as polycarbonate sheets. Acrylic sheets do, however, allow in more natural light than polycarbonate sheets. They are also usually cheaper.
For these reasons, acrylic plastic sheets tend to be used more in domestic applications such as shed or playhouse windows.
Polycarbonate plastic sheets, on the other hand, are more likely to be found in commercial and local authority construction projects such as overhead walkways. Polycarbonate plastic sheets are also extremely effective as sound insulation barriers between, for example, heavily populated estates and noisy motorways.
To gauge some idea of the superior resilience of polycarbonate it is worth considering that this material is often the material of choice for the manufacture of police riot shields which of course have to be resistant to both the heavy impact of missiles and the extreme heat of flames.
Similar important differences can be found between two types of polypropylene sheets: polypropylene homopolymer (PPH) and polypropylene copolymer (PPC).
PPH is very stiff and resistant to both heat and chemicals. PPC on the other hand has greater impact resistance and is also more resilient in lower temperatures.
At Bliby Plastics we can help you identify and supply the most effective and economical plastic sheets required for any project, as well as plastic wall cladding.
