As per our Shipping and Returns Policy, custom cuts and fabricated parts are non-returnable. If you need an over- or undersized item, note it under "Comments" during Checkout. Cut-to-size orders have an acceptable cut tolerance of 1/8" (0.125"), so clarify if the adjustment is to be made on the (+) or (-) side of the saw blade.Please review our full return and shipping policy here.
Measure Twice, Cut Once
Since custom cuts and fabricated parts are non-refundable, be very careful while measuring your dimensions. As each cut is nominal, even the slightest miscalculation could be costly.
How to Use a Measuring Tape
Extend your tape measure several inches to find the 1 and 2 inch markers. In between the inch markers you’ll find 16 equally spaced tick marks.
Measure by counting the increments beyond the nearest inch. As the increments decrease, so does the length of the mark. For example, 1/2" has a bigger mark than 1/4" which has a bigger mark than 1/8". The smallest mark follows at 1/16". Please be aware that some measuring tapes may have even smaller increments.
Features of a Measuring Tape: Sliding End Hook
The sliding end hook is designed for two different types of measurements. An outside measurement (where the hook of the tape hangs over an edge), requires the hook to slide out a bit to account for the thickness of the material. When making an inside measurement (where the hook will push up against a surface), the clip slides in, again, accounting for its thickness. The measuring tape self-adjusts to guarantee an accurate measurement (as far as the tape is concerned).
Sanitizing Acrylic and Polycarbonate Sheet [X]
Acrylic and Polycarbonate Sneeze Guards and like products require special care while cleaning and disinfecting. To maintain the optical clarity of sneeze guards and other acrylic or polycarbonate items, use an acrylic or polycarbonate safe cleaner like Novus Plastic Polish #1, Brillianize Plastic Cleaner, or a mild soap solution.
Please reference the following compatible cleaners when DISINFECTING acrylic and polycarbonate items. The use of commonly available commercial alcohol or ammonia-based disinfectants may cause crazing and damage.
The Industry Standard for Clear, High-Impact Applications
This general-purpose (GP) clear polycarbonate sheet is our most popular polycarbonate solution, serving as the industry's go-to workhorse for strength, versatility, and value.
This GP polycarbonate delivers exceptional impact resistance at the lowest price point of any polycarbonate grade we stock, making it the ideal choice when you need durability without paying for added coatings or specialty features.
This is the standard polycarbonate option. Unlike specialized grades with UV or scratch-resistant coatings, this sheet is designed for maximum value and broad usability. It is the correct choice if you need:
The Best Value Polycarbonate: The most cost-effective option when you need polycarbonate's core performance without added UV or scratch-resistant coatings.
Exceptional Strength: Impact resistance up to 250x stronger than glass and 30x stronger than acrylic.
Fabrication Friendly: High ductility allows for drilling, cutting, and cold-bending with significantly lower cracking risks compared to acrylic.
Ready for Assembly: We cut to your exact specifications with tight tolerances, ensuring your project is ready for assembly the moment it arrives.
Proven Versatility: Ideal for machine guards, safety glazing, and structural applications where impact resistance is critical.
Polycarbonate vs. Acrylic: Which Do You Need?
While both are clear plastics, they serve different roles.
Choose Polycarbonate (This Sheet) if durability is your #1 priority. It creates a "fail-safe" barrier that eliminates the risk of shattering.
Choose Acrylic if optical brilliance or scratch resistance is your priority, or if you need the absolute lowest cost.
When you order from Interstate Plastics, you're accessing an expansive nationwide network of material expertise. We exclusively source from industry leaders—stocking proven brands like Lexan®, Makrolon®, and Polygal®—to ensure premium quality and consistency in every sheet.
WARNING: This product can expose you to chemicals including Bisphenol A, CAS 80-05-7 , which are known to the State of California to cause birth defects or other reproductive harm. For more information go to www.P65Warnings.ca.gov.
Handling: Cut sheets may have sharp edges. We recommend wearing protective gloves when unpacking and handling this material to ensure safety.
Suitability: We take pride in the quality of our materials as they leave our facility. However, because every project is unique, we cannot account for how materials are modified, stored, or used after delivery. Please perform the necessary tests to ensure this material is right for your specific application and end-use conditions.
POLCE SH
Technical Performance
This virgin-grade thermoplastic is engineered for applications requiring a combination of optical clarity and extreme mechanical durability.
Impact Strength: Rated at Izod 12–16 ft-lb/in (notched). It absorbs kinetic energy by deforming rather than shattering, creating a "fail-safe" barrier.
Thermal Resilience: Functional operating range of -40°F to 270°F (intermittent). Resists deformation in high-heat environments.
Flexibility: Flexural modulus of 340,000 psi allows for cold-forming into curves during installation without stress-crazing.
Key Properties
Virtually Unbreakable: Withstands 250x the impact of safety glass and 30x the impact of acrylic.
High Optical Clarity: Maintains 88% to 90% light transmission. (Note: Standard glass is ~90% and acrylic is ~92%).
Dimensional Stability: Low coefficient of thermal expansion (3.75 x 10-5 in/in/°F) prevents warping in varying temperatures.
Flammability: High ignition temperature; available grades meet UL 94 V-0 to V-2 compliance.
Common Industrial Applications
Machine Guarding: Shatter-proof protection for CNC, milling, and lathe operations.
Safety Glazing: High-impact windows for correctional facilities and heavy equipment.
Electrical Barriers: Insulation for switchgear and electrical cabinets.
Cleanroom Enclosures: Transparent partitions that eliminate the risk of contamination from shattered glass.
Engineering Limitations & Alternatives
While General Purpose Polycarbonate is versatile, specific environments may require specialized grades or materials:
Scratch Sensitivity: This GP grade is softer than glass and easier to scratch. Better Alternative: For high-contact windows, choose Abrasion Resistant (AR) Polycarbonate.
Chemical Sensitivity: Susceptible to stress cracking if exposed to aromatic hydrocarbons, esters, or ketones. Better Alternative: If chemical resistance is priority over impact strength, consider PETG or CPM (Chemical Resistant) grades.
Extreme Heat: Continuous service usage above 250°F may lead to premature deformation. Better Alternative: For high-heat transparent applications, consider Ultem (PEI) or Polysulfone (PSU).
Thermoforming Complexity: Polycarbonate is hygroscopic and must be pre-dried in an oven to prevent "bubbles" or defects during heating. Better Alternative: To eliminate time-consuming pre-drying and enable rapid forming, consider Acrylic or PETG.
WARNING: This product can expose you to chemicals including Bisphenol A, CAS 80-05-7 , which are known to the State of California to cause birth defects or other reproductive harm. For more information go to