Maya Ellison
Lexan is a brand name for polycarbonate, a plastic that stands out for its flexibility, durability, and impact resistance. Polycarbonate is a broad category of plastic materials, and Lexan is a trademarked name for a specific type of polycarbonate plastic. Lexan is a strong thermoplastic that offers 30 times more impact strength than acrylic and 250 times more than glass. Its unique chemical structure and fabrication process make it versatile, allowing it to be used in a wide range of products, from electronic components to eco-friendly products and heavy-duty applications.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Chemical makeup | Unique |
| Development | Developed by General Electric (GE) in the 1950s or 1960 |
| Material | Polycarbonate resin thermoplastic |
| Deformation | Can deform at 147°C or 297°F |
| Molecules | Comprised of repeating subunits |
| Strength | 250 times stronger than glass, 30 times stronger than acrylic |
| Flexibility | Can be formed in cold temperatures or bent without heating |
| Transparency | Transparent |
| Cleanliness | Easy to clean |
| Light transmission | Less light transmission than acrylic |
| Clarity | Less clarity than acrylic |
| Shine | Less shiny than acrylic |
| Scratch resistance | Less scratch-resistant than acrylic |
| UV resistance | UV-resistant |
| Colour | Available in clear, white, grey, and bronze |
| Grades | General Purpose, Sign, Multiwall, Abrasion Resistant, Aircraft, FDA, Flame Retardant, Graphic, High Optic, and Machine Grade |
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What You'll Learn
Lexan is a brand name for polycarbonate
Polycarbonate is a strong thermoplastic that offers 30 times more impact strength than acrylic (another thermoplastic) and 250 times more impact strength than glass. It is ideal for applications where strength and protection are a priority. For example, polycarbonate is used in the windows of race cars, the visors of hockey and football helmets, and guards for industrial machinery. It is also used in layers as bulletproof "glass".
Lexan's flexibility extends beyond its ability to be easily deformed and reformed. The material can be created in a variety of forms tailored to specific manufacturing needs. Lexan is highly recyclable, making it ideal for manufacturing eco-conscious products such as food containers, water bottles, and glasses. It is a superior alternative to glass in these applications because it resists fractures while maintaining transparency.
Lexan is also used to manufacture electronic components since it offers good insulation against electricity and resists corrosive chemicals and heat. Polycarbonate goes into screens for computers and televisions, as well as CDs and DVDs. The material is commonly used for making video game controllers and cell phone cases.
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It's a thermoplastic resin
Lexan is a brand name for polycarbonate, a plastic known for its flexibility and durability. It was formulated in 1960 by General Electric (GE), who pioneered the development and production of the material in the US. Bayer has also been creating the material under the name of Merlon (later Makrolon) since 1958. Both companies discovered their version of the plastic within a week of each other and agreed to cross-license its manufacture.
Lexan is a polycarbonate resin thermoplastic. This means it is a solid substance that can deform in extreme heat (usually around 147°C or 297°F) and is made up of molecules with repeating subunits. Lexan is part of a family of thermoplastics known for their ability to undergo significant deformation without cracking or breaking. Once fully formed, Lexan sheets offer an impact strength that is 250 times greater than glass and 30 times greater than acrylic, another thermoplastic.
Lexan's unique chemical structure and fabrication process make it durable enough to be bulletproof, yet flexible enough to create delicate components. Its versatility has led manufacturers to use it in a wide variety of modern products and parts. For example, Lexan is used in the windows of race cars, the visors of hockey and football helmets, guards for industrial machinery, and in layers as bulletproof "glass". Its strength and lightweight properties also make it ideal for building parts for military vehicles and aircraft.
Lexan is also used in the manufacture of electronic components due to its good insulation against electricity and resistance to corrosive chemicals and heat. It can be used in screens for computers and televisions, as well as CDs and DVDs. Additionally, Lexan is highly recyclable, making it ideal for eco-conscious products such as food containers, water bottles, and glasses.
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It's flexible, durable, and strong
Lexan is a brand name for polycarbonate, a plastic known for its flexibility, durability, and strength. It is a thermoplastic polymer, which means it can be deformed and reformed at high temperatures. Lexan's unique chemical structure and fabrication process make it incredibly durable and strong—it is 200 to 250 times stronger than glass and 30 times stronger than acrylic. This strength, combined with its flexibility, makes Lexan ideal for a wide range of applications.
The flexibility of Lexan is one of its key advantages. It can be easily deformed and reformed, allowing it to be created in a variety of forms to fit specific manufacturing needs. This flexibility also enables it to be bent without heating, unlike some other plastics like acrylic. Lexan's flexibility contributes to its versatility and makes it suitable for various applications, from electronic components to windshields and aircraft parts.
Lexan's durability is another standout feature. It has unmatched impact resistance, making it highly suitable for applications where strength and protection are crucial. Lexan is used in bulletproof applications, such as in defence and security. Its durability also extends to its resistance to cracking and breaking. This quality makes it ideal for high-impact environments and protection against vandalism and intentional breakage.
The strength of Lexan is remarkable, as it boasts an impact strength 250 times greater than glass and 30 times greater than acrylic. This superior strength positions Lexan as the material of choice for applications requiring high levels of safety and protection. For example, Lexan is used in race car windows, hockey and football helmets, and industrial machinery guards. Its strength-to-weight ratio is also impressive, as Lexan is lightweight yet strong, making it perfect for aerospace and defence applications.
Lexan's flexibility, durability, and strength are complemented by its optical clarity. Lexan sheets offer excellent transparency, providing a clear view while also delivering unmatched protection. This combination of attributes makes Lexan a popular choice for windshields, visors, and guards, where unobstructed visibility is essential. Lexan's clarity also contributes to its versatility, as it can be used in various applications without compromising visibility.
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Lexan is used in many industries
Lexan is a brand name for polycarbonate, a plastic known for its flexibility and durability. It is a strong thermoplastic that offers 30 times more impact strength than acrylic and 250 times more impact strength than glass. Lexan's unique chemical structure and fabrication process make it durable enough to be bulletproof and flexible enough to create delicate components.
Aerospace and Automotive
Lexan is used in the aerospace and automotive industries to create strong and lightweight windshields for planes, trains, and automobiles. It is also employed in the manufacturing of bullet-resistant windows for automobiles and isolation walls for bank counters. The material's lightweight and high tensile strength make it ideal for building parts for military vehicles and jet fighters. Additionally, Lexan is used to create lightweight accessories for soldiers, reducing the weight they carry.
Defense
In the defense industry, Lexan is valued for its lightweight and high strength characteristics. It is used to manufacture components for military vehicles, jet fighters, and other defense equipment. The material's impact resistance and durability make it suitable for applications where protection and strength are crucial.
Electronics and Technology
Lexan is commonly used in the electronics and technology industries, particularly in the manufacturing of electronic components. It offers good insulation against electricity and resists corrosive chemicals and heat. Lexan is used in screens for computers, televisions, cell phones, and other electronic devices. It is also utilized in the production of CDs, DVDs, Blu-ray discs, and video game controllers.
Eco-Friendly Products
Lexan is highly recyclable, making it a popular choice for eco-conscious products. It is used in the manufacturing of food containers, water bottles, canteens, and glasses. Lexan's resistance to fractures and transparency make it a superior alternative to glass in these applications.
Security and Glazing
Lexan's impact strength and heat resistance make it ideal for security applications. Polycarbonate mirror plastic sheeting is used in the security industry and for applications requiring mirrored surfaces. It provides high heat resistance and impact strength, making it suitable for security glazing and protection against vandalism and intentional breakage.
Lexan's versatility and unique properties make it a valuable material across various industries, contributing to its widespread adoption in modern manufacturing.
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It's more expensive than glass
Lexan is a brand name for polycarbonate, a plastic known for its flexibility and durability. It was developed by General Electric (GE) in 1953, although another company, Bayer, had been creating the same plastic under the name of Merlon (later Makrolon) since 1958. Both companies agreed to cross-license its manufacture.
While Lexan is more expensive than glass, it is also 250 times stronger and just as clear. This makes it ideal for applications where strength and protection are a priority. For example, Lexan is used in the windows of race cars, the visors of hockey and football helmets, guards for industrial machinery, and in layers as bulletproof "glass". It is also used in the aerospace and automotive industries, where it is used to make durable, lightweight windshields for automobiles, aircraft, and trains, as well as isolation walls for bank counters and bullet-resistant automobile windows.
Lexan is also used in the defense industry, where its lightweight and high tensile strength make it ideal for building parts for military vehicles and jet fighters. Additionally, Lexan is used to make lightweight accessories for soldiers, lightening the loads they carry.
In terms of its material properties, Lexan is a strong thermoplastic that offers 30 times more impact strength than acrylic, another thermoplastic, and, as mentioned, 250 times more impact strength than glass. It is also highly resistant to acids and chemicals, such as gasoline, and has a low level of flammability.
While Lexan may be more expensive than glass, its unmatched strength, flexibility, and durability make it a superior alternative in many applications.
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Frequently asked questions
Lexan is a brand name for polycarbonate, a plastic known for its flexibility and durability. It is a thermoplastic with unmatched impact resistance and strength.
Lexan is used in a wide variety of applications, from electronic components to automotive parts, aircraft windshields, bulletproof glass, and food containers. Its versatility, strength, and lightweight properties make it ideal for many industries.
Lexan and acrylic are both transparent plastics with similar flexural strengths. However, Lexan is more impact-resistant and durable, while acrylic offers better light transmission, scratch resistance, and UV resistance. Lexan is also more expensive and challenging to machine and form.
Lexan sheets can be purchased from various suppliers, including A&C Plastics, Total Plastics, and Estreetplastics. These suppliers offer Lexan sheets in different colours, grades, and thicknesses suitable for a range of applications.
