1)Impact resistance

Impact resistance is much higher with Polycarbonate sheet than acrylic sheet. Polycarbonate sheet has 30 times the impact resistance of acrylic. Has 250 times the impact resistance of glass making it extremely strong.

2)Weather Resistance

Polycarbonate sheet has proved better ability to withstand weather and sun exposure with negligible loss of light transmittance and clarity. No other type of plastic offers this assurance of satisfactory outdoor performance.

Polycarbonate sheet have UV coating, this can maintain the ultraviolet-filtering capabilities. Cast Acrylic sheet don’t have UV coating.

Acrylic sheet can be used at temperatures ranging from -30 degrees Fahrenheit to 190 degrees Fahrenheit. Polycarbonate sheet can handle temperatures from -40 degree Fahrenheit up to 240 degrees Fahrenheit

3)Fire retardant

Acrylic sheet fire rates is B2，is flammable building materials. Acrylic sheet self-ignition point of 304 degrees, not inflammable, but at the time of the fire decomposition, emit flammable, explosive, irritating gas. Avoid prolonged or repeated exposure to the air, need to be kept under seal.

Polycarbonate sheet fire rates is B1，is Flame-retardant building materials. Polycarbonate sheet burns more slowly, extinguishes when it leave the fire.

4)Fabrication Differences

Both acrylic and polycarbonate can be cut with conventional shop tools, though acrylic cuts easier than polycarbonate. Polycarbonate fights the initial push of the saw or router at the start of a cut. Acrylic tends to crack when drilled close to the edge or with a drill bit not designed for plastic. Polycarbonate can be drilled close to the edge with a standard drill bit. Acrylic can be edge polished, while polycarbonate doesn’t polish. Heat bending works better with acrylic than polycarbonate. Polycarbonate can be cold formed or bent without heating. When gluing with cements designed for acrylic and polycarbonate, acrylic gives a cleaner glue joint than polycarbonate.

5)Cleaning

Both acrylic and polycarbonate are easy to clean. Acrylic requires more specific cleaners, either mild soap and water or a plastic cleaner. Polycarbonate is more chemically resistant so it doesn’t suffer from the same damage due to alcohol and ammonia. Both acrylic and polycarbonate can scratch, so avoid wool rags and paper towels, which are made from abrasive binding agents. The best choice for cleaning is a microfiber cloth or 100-percent cotton rags. Never use solvents on acrylic or polycarbonate.

6)Size and Thickness

Acrylic ranges in thickness from 1/16th of an inch to 4 inches. Polycarbonate is available in 1/32nd of an inch to a half inch in thickness. Larger sizes can be custom ordered from the polycarbonate sheet manufacturer. Standard full sheet sizes are 4 feet by 8 feet.