Your Ultimate Guide to Plastic Sheets

At D&D Plastics, we’ve been in the plastics business for quite some time, so we have a significant amount of experience in working with sheet plastics for just about any end purpose you can think of. When you’re in need of the best plastic sheets in Utah for an upcoming project, it’s important that you know the differences between the most common varieties of plastic sheets so you can choose the exact right material for your needs.

There are four main categories of plastic sheets, and within those categories there are many different specific types of plastics that you can choose from. Let’s take a very broad look at each of these categories.

Acrylic sheets

Acrylic sheets make ideal substitutes for glass. In fact, plexiglass is an example of a common type of acrylic sheet. They are capable of delivering outstanding clarity and strength, and can easily be melted down and molded into any kind of shape you need. Acrylic offers the best level of clarity for the longest amount of time, and is highly resistant to abrasion, scratching and yellowing. It also protects against potential UV damage, which is why it’s so popularly used for various types of displays and frames. The primary drawback is that its rigidity can make it chip easily. It is also more expensive than glass, so it doesn’t always make sense to use it as an alternative.

Common examples of uses for acrylic sheets include dry erase boards, non-glare mirrors, plastic for boat or airplane windows and ultraviolet filtering applications.

Polycarbonate

Polycarbonate is outrageously strong—250 times stronger than glass, in fact, and just as clear—which makes it ideal for applications that require high impact resistance. It is, like acrylic, a type of thermoplastic, which means it can be heated and molded into any kind of shape you need and reheated later without experiencing significant degradation. You’re also capable of adding polycarbonate in a cold form onsite for certain applications.

The primary drawback of polycarbonate is its higher cost, but its durability will result in it paying for itself over time. You’ll often find it used as a bullet-resistant application in glass substitutes, in areas that need extra fire protection, in certain types of marine settings and in settings such as greenhouses.

HDPE

HDPE stands for “high-density polyethylene,” a type of thermoplastic that is used in a variety of items from water bottles to some harder applications. HDPE is probably the most versatile type of plastic, and it’s easily recyclable, which makes it the most eco-friendly type of plastic. It is strongly resistant to impact and abrasion, and does not retain stains, sustain moisture damage or give off foul odors. However, it is flammable and can crack under stress.

Industrial plastics

This final category features a hodgepodge of plastics found in industrial settings. They tend to be lightweight and durable, are specifically designed for individual tasks and include polypropylene sheets, ABS plastic, expanded PVC and PETG mirrors.

For more information about the various types of plastic sheets and what you should know about them, contact D&D Plastics today and we’d be glad to tell you more about the best plastic sheets in Utah for your project.

Categorised in: Plastic Sheets

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