Standard sheet is a non UV grade of polycarbonate, which will provide strength but is not guaranteed for use in normal daylight  and sunlight. Our UV grade clear polycarbonate however, has a manufacturers guarantee for a minimum of 10 years.

Polycarbonate is described as a virtually unbreakable plastic material. The internet caries many examples of videos which illustrate the strength of clear polycarbonate Vs clear acrylic sheet.

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The material is described as translucent, allowing some light through but you cannot see through it and hence it is typically used in display applications like light boxes, product casings and numerous retail point of sale applications.

Sheet sizes are typically 3050mm x 2050mm and common most suppliers will stock 3MM and 5MM sheets.

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The sheet has a visible ribs running along the length of the sheet and internally has air flutes which make it extremely light and easy to manage. These air flutes run down the slope, or ‘fall’ of the roof towards the gutter. Since it is open at either end, adhesive breather tapes are used to allow the air channels to breathe and elimnate moisture, dirt and insects that woudl otherwise find their way into the sheet.

Available in long lengths and widths up to 2.1mtrs, the sheet is used across a range of roofing applications including conservatories, lean-tos, carp ports and curved canopies. Due to its resilience, the sheet can also be sued as a screen material and will commonly be found surrounding forecourt car washes.

Multiwall Polycarbonate is available in a range of thicknesses, with 10mm, 16mm and 25mm being the most common. Colours include Clear, Opal and Bronze tinted which reduces sun glare and hence is popular as a roof cover material in outside lean-tos and canopies.

Full Sheet Size: 7000mm (rib) x 2100mm
Colours: Clear, Opal, Bronze are standard. Other colours are available but subject to minimum order quantity.

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While Clear and Opal are regarded as standard polycarbonate colours, black, green, red and other colours can also be secured. Often, specialist colours are subject to a minimum order quantity.

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Up to 200 times stronger than glass, Polycarbonate mirror is often used in gym and lesiure applications, where glass mirrors are subject to impact by equipment, balls travelling at speed etc.

Polycarbonate mirror is also used as security screens or as mirror in situations that require high safety such as pubs, nightclubs, care homes and prisons.

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The material is used where privacy is required, such as lavatory windows or ground level windows where light is required but visibility is not.

Available in large sheet sizes 3050 x 2050mm and thicknesses 3MM, 4MM, 5MM and 6MM.

Textured Polycarbonate is a tough and resilient material ideal for security and non visibility glazing.

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Due to the high impact resistance of polycarbonate, polycarbonate tubes are used in applications like sight levels on liquid tanks, as conduit or in design applications where strength is required.

Polycarbonate rods are similar in thickness and diameter but are solid tubes used in machine applications and for display purposes.

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Polycarbonate sheet is designed to be tough and impact resistant and hence specialist tools such as diamond tip drill bits etc. may be required. For the creation of shapes, polycarbonate often needs to be cut and line bent, which is the process of heating the sheet in a dedicated area along an axis in order to bend the sheet to a particular angle. Over heating will cause visible air bubbles within the sheet which cannot be removed.

Contact us to discuss your polycarbonate fabrication requirements, we can advise on the correct procedure for cutting and working with polycarbonate material and we can also recommend industry contacts who have many years experience in polycarbonate fabrication.

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Capex Glazing Bars
Capex bars are thin aluminum bars that cover the join where 2 sheets meet. The underside of the capex glazing bar has a rubber gasket on each side and will form a waterproof seal when applied correctly (not over tightened) to the surface of the sheet.

Capex bars can be used either with solid polycarbonate sheet, or with Multiwall structured Polycarbonate sheet.

Fixing Buttons – Multiwall Polycarbonate
Fixing buttons are moulded plastic buttons with a central screw that are used to secure multiwall polycarbonate sheet to intermediate rafters i.e. rafters where the capex bar is not being used.

On the outside surface of the sheet, the button has the appearance of neat, circular bump. Internally within the button, there is a moulded shank which sits down into a drilled hole within the sheet. A hollow channel through the shank, allows the stainless steel fixing to be inserted and screwed into the rafter below. A small finishing cap is then placed into the head of the fixing button hiding the screw.

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Standard Polycarbonate – usually a standard grade of polycarbonate sheet without UV stabilisers extruded into the sheet. The standard grade has all the qualities of polycarbonate regarding strength but will be subject to weathering quicker if used outdoors.

UV Polycarbonate – polycarbonate sheet that has UV stabilisers extruded into the sheet. There will often be a price difference in price when compared to standard sheet. If using polycarbonate outdoors or in areas of direct sunlight, always ask for UV grade polycarbonate.

Multiwall Polycarbonate – structured form of polycarbonate often called twinwall (10mm) which is the fluted form of polycarbonate sheet used in roof and canopy construction. Although very light weight, multiwall polycarbonate is very strong and offers excellent rigidity for overhead roofing panels. It is also UV stabilised on one side (side with branding film) and this side should always face upwards.

Marguard – this is polycarbonate sheet with an additional clear layer anti scratch coating. It combines all the best properties of polycarbonate sheet with hi impact resistance, surface stratch resistance and UV resistance.

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Light pressure with a non abrasive cloth can be applied to remove any surface blemishes

When cleaning polycarbonate, do not use any harsh or abrasive chemicals, as these will damage the surface of the sheet, causing scorching or buffing which will cause spotting and reduce clarity.

Similarly when using adhesive or silicones, always ensure that the substance used is safe for polycarbonate, ideally low modulus non acetoxy silicones.

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Polycarbonate is a durable material. Although it has high impact-resistance, it has low scratch-resistance and a hard coating is applied to shatterproof eyewear lenses and polycarbonate exterior automotive components. The characteristics of polycarbonate compare to those of polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA, acrylic), but polycarbonate is stronger and will hold up longer to extreme temperature. Polycarbonate is highly transparent and lightweight, with better light transmission than many kinds of glass.

Unlike most thermoplastics, polycarbonate can undergo large plastic deformations without cracking or breaking.

Polycarbonate Plastic, unlike most thermoplastics, can undergo large plastic deformations without cracking or breaking. As a result, it can be processed and formed at room temperature using sheet metal techniques, such as bending. Even for sharp angle bends with a tight radius, heating may not be necessary. This makes it valuable in prototyping applications where transparent or electrically non-conductive parts are needed, which cannot be made from sheet metal.

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