Sales & support: (855) 801-6333
View Cart »
Total: $0  (0 items)
Checkout

Polycarbonate Sheet, Rod & Tube

Buy cut-to-size polycarbonate for impact-resistant glazing, machine guards, displays, and fabricated components. Choose from clear, abrasion-resistant, UV-stabilized, machine-grade, twinwall, and security glazing options.

Clear Polycarbonate Sheet
Polycarbonate Sheet
 Polycarbonate Rod
Polycarbonate Rod
 Polycarbonate Tube
Polycarbonate Tube
 Twinwall
Twinwall
 SunTuf
SunTuf
 Polycarbonate Base & Caps
Base & Caps
 Machine Grade Sheet
Machine Grade Sheet
 Renovo-MPC™ Clear Post-Consumer Polycarbonate Sheet
Post-Consumer Polycarbonate Sheet
 Marine Grade Polycarbonate
Marine Grade Polycarbonate
 Polycarbonate Sheet - Clear AR2
Clear AR2 Polycarbonate Sheet
 Polycarbonate Security Panels
Polycarbonate Security Panels
 Material Sample Packs
Sample Packs

What is Polycarbonate?

Polycarbonate is a highly durable, versatile, and naturally transparent thermoplastic polymer. Known for its exceptional impact resistance and optical clarity, it is easily worked, molded, and thermoformed.

Compared with acrylic, polycarbonate provides substantially greater impact resistance and typically performs across a wider temperature range. It is also much lighter and more resistant to breakage than glass, although standard grades scratch more easily. Abrasion-resistant grades provide a harder surface, while specialized multi-ply laminates are available for rated security-glazing systems.

Polycarbonate is sold under manufacturer trade names including POLYGAL®, LEXAN™, TUFFAK®, and Makrolon®.

  • Extreme impact resistance
  • Easily thermoformable, machinable, and cold-bendable
  • Lightweight yet highly rigid
  • Excellent optical clarity and light transmission
  • Up to 250 times the impact resistance of standard glass
  • Wide temperature operating range (-40°F to 240°F)
  • Can be fabricated, machined, drilled, bonded, and mechanically fastened with proper tooling and compatible adhesives

What is Multiwall Polycarbonate?

Multiwall and twinwall polycarbonate feature a ribbed, cellular structure that traps air within the sheet, improving thermal insulation while retaining high impact strength and light transmission. It is a popular material for data center containment and roofing panels, particularly in commercial greenhouses and conservatories. Other common multiwall applications include window replacements, patio covers, carports, awnings, windbreaks, and custom skylights.

Polycarbonate Applications & Industries Served

Polycarbonate's blend of clarity and strength makes it suitable for demanding environments. Common applications include:

Construction & Architecture: Security glazing, protective barriers, domelights, sound-reduction walls, skylights, and durable transparent panels for high-traffic facilities.

Graphics & Display: Retail display screens, protective picture framing, and safety and security glazing where traditional glass poses a shatter risk.

Transportation & Automotive: Due to its low weight and high impact resistance, polycarbonate is widely used for automotive headlamp lenses. Injection-molded polycarbonate produces exceptionally smooth surfaces ideal for decorative bezels, optical reflectors, and metalized components.

Other polycarbonate applications include:

  • Protective Lenses & Eyewear
  • Machine Operation Guards
  • Riot Shields & Visors
  • Medical Devices & Components
  • Precision Instrument Housings
  • Electrical Insulators
  • Aerospace Components & Windows
  • Marine Portholes
  • Circuit Board Card Guides

Polycarbonate Sheet Properties (Mechanical, Thermal, Optical)

Property Typical Value
Specific Gravity 1.2
Tensile Strength 9,500 psi
Tensile Modulus 345 ksi
Tensile Elongation 135% @ 73°F
Flexural Strength 13,500 psi
Flexural Modulus 345 ksi
Izod Impact, Notched 12-16 ft-lbs/in.
Compressive Strength 12,500 psi
Rockwell Hardness M70, R118, Shore D 80
Deflection Temperature 270°F @ 264 psi
Max Service Temperature 240°F

Light Transmission
Clear 1/8":
Gray/Bronze 1/8":
Dark Grey 1/8":

  
86%
50%
18%
Water Absorption @ 24 hrs. 0.15%

*Values listed are typical and are meant only as a guide to aid in design. Field testing should be performed to find the actual values for your application.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is polycarbonate stronger than glass?
Yes - polycarbonate can provide up to 250 times the impact resistance of standard glass while weighing significantly less.
What are the disadvantages of polycarbonate?
The primary drawbacks of polycarbonate are its susceptibility to scratching, a higher price than some other transparent plastics, and limited compatibility with certain chemicals, solvents, and abrasive cleaners.
What is polycarbonate used for?
Due to its immense strength and clarity, it is widely used for safety goggles, security glazing, greenhouse panels, automotive headlight lenses, medical devices, and electronic enclosures.
How does polycarbonate compare to acrylic?
While acrylic is more scratch-resistant, optically clear, and budget-friendly, polycarbonate provides substantially greater impact resistance and higher temperature capability. For a full comparison, check out our Polycarbonate vs. Acrylic Guide.
Does polycarbonate scratch easily?
Yes, despite its impact strength, standard polycarbonate has low scratch resistance. Specialized hard coatings are frequently applied for applications like eyewear lenses or protective shields to prevent abrasions.
Can polycarbonate be used outdoors?
Yes, but outdoor applications should use UV-stabilized or UV-coated polycarbonate. Prolonged sun exposure can cause untreated panels to yellow. For outdoor roofing or signage, polycarbonate is usually treated with a UV-resistant protective layer.
Is polycarbonate flexible?
Yes, unlike many rigid thermoplastics, polycarbonate is tough but can be thermoformed or cold-bent into complex curves and shapes without cracking.

Polycarbonate Sheet (Solid/Monolithic)

Clear Polycarbonate Sheet

Clear polycarbonate sheet combines impact resistance and visibility for machine guards, protective glazing, displays, and fabricated panels.

Clear Polycarbonate Sheet
Gray #7130 Polycarbonate Sheet

Gray #7130 polycarbonate sheet offers a tinted alternative to clear sheet for impact-resistant glazing and fabricated panels.

Polycarbonate Sheet - Gray #7130

Polycarbonate Rods & Tubes

Clear Polycarbonate Tube

Clear polycarbonate tube provides a transparent, impact-resistant hollow profile for displays, protective sleeves, and fabricated components.

Polycarbonate Tube - Clear

Multiwall Polycarbonate Sheet (Twinwall/Multiwall Panels)

Polycarbonate Twinwall - Clear

Clear twinwall polycarbonate panels provide daylight transmission and a lightweight, insulating cellular structure for greenhouses, data centers, and covered walkways.

Polycarbonate Twinwall - Clear
Polycarbonate Twinwall - Ice (Opal)

Ice (Opal) twinwall polycarbonate sheet offers translucent glazing for patio covers, canopies, and partitions with an insulating cellular construction.

Polycarbonate Twinwall - Ice (Opal)
Polycarbonate Twinwall - Bronze

Bronze twinwall polycarbonate panels combine tinted glazing with a lightweight cellular structure for patio roofs and awnings.

Polycarbonate Twinwall - Bronze

Polycarbonate Film (Electrical/Graphics/Insulation)

Clear Polycarbonate Film

Durable & flexible polycarbonate film can be thermoformed, molded, or die-cut into complex shapes.

Clear Polycarbonate Film

Polycarbonate Storm & Hurricane Panels

Bullet-Resistant & Containment-Grade Polycarbonate (Security Glazing)

Corrugated Polycarbonate Panels

DynaGlas SolarSoft Max Sheet

Corrugated polycarbonate with the highest Daily Light Integral of all diffused polycarbonate sheets and guaranteed condensate control.

Dynaglas SolarSoft Max
SunTuf Clear Corrugated Polycarbonate

Clear SunTuf corrugated polycarbonate roofing panels let daylight into patios, pergolas, and hobby greenhouses while providing overhead weather protection.

SunTuf Clear Corrugated Polycarbonate

Corrugated Panel Accessories (SunTuf/SunSky Systems)

Polycarbonate Glazing Profiles

Polycarbonate Fasteners & Installation Accessories

Prop 65 WarningWARNING: 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.

 

Interstate Plastics Suppliers