Sep 24, 2026
If you are sourcing transparent panels for construction, industrial equipment, or outdoor infrastructure, the strength difference between polycarbonate and glass is one of the first questions you need answered. A clear solid PC sheet delivers an impact strength of 850 J/m — that is 250 to 300 times stronger than standard glass of equivalent thickness. It achieves this while maintaining light transmission up to 90%, matching glass-like optical clarity. Made from 100% virgin Bayer/Sabic PC resin with a 50μm co-extruded UV layer, polycarbonate solid sheet withstands impact, UV radiation, and temperature extremes where glass simply fails.
Before you look at performance, it helps to know what each material is made of and how that changes how it works in real life.
Polycarbonate is an engineering thermoplastic that has a density of 1.2 g/cm³. You can stretch it more than 60 MPa and bend it more than 2,300 MPa. High-viscosity PC resin is pushed into a mold to make a clear solid PC sheet. It is made of a single piece, with no gaps or layers. This means that the whole sheet surface will behave mechanically in a consistent and expected way.
Glass is an inorganic silicate that is known for being stiff and having very clear optics. The Mohs hardness of this material is about 6–7, which means it is very hard to scratch. Glass, on the other hand, breaks easily. If you hit it hard or heat it up fast, it breaks apart without absorbing energy. This makes it dangerous in bad places. With tempered glass, this is a little better, but plastic is still better at protecting against knocks.
As per GB 8624 and UL94 V-2, clear solid PC sheet has a B1 fire grade. This means that it puts out fires on its own and doesn't help them spread. It can be used from -40°C to +120°C, which means it can handle being very hot or very cold. Normal glass doesn't catch fire either, but it can break when it gets hot. It is clear that polycarbonate is superior to other materials when it comes to fire safety and long-term structural strength.
Most buying workers care most about this part because it has hard numbers and will last in the real world.
At 850 J/m, ASTM D256 (Izod) says that a clear solid PC sheet can take a hit. The pressure at which everyday float glass breaks is a lot less. Tempered glass is four to five times harder than annealed glass, but plastic is still better at absorbing kinetic energy. Polycarbonate is strong enough to be used for security glass, crowd barriers, and machine guards; it can take a hit and still keep its shape.
UV light makes regular plastic turn yellow after being in it for a long time. By adding a 50μm UV-blocking layer that stops wavelengths below 380nm, SINHAI's clear solid PC sheets directly address this problem. They achieve a 98%–100% UV-blocking rate. Things inside won't fade, and the screen will stay clear for at least 10 years. If you don't cover glass with UV film, UV rays can get through and hurt things inside. Glass doesn't turn yellow, though.
0.065 mm/m°C is the rate at which polycarbonate grows. The builders need to keep this in mind and make sure there is enough room in the building system for it to grow. Glass expands and contracts much less quickly than other materials. This makes it easier to fit, but it also makes it more likely to break when temperatures change. When polycarbonate is used for outdoor canopies, roofing, and skylights that are subject to big changes in temperature, it doesn't crack or flake.
You should always choose a medium based on what the job calls for. This is how the two things split in real life:
Machine guards, safety barriers, viewing windows, and rage shields need to be made of a material that doesn't break when hit. These needs can be met right away with clear solid PC sheets that are between 6 mm and 23 mm thick. Broken glass is very dangerous in these places. Something that glass can't do is bend a little when it's loaded and then go back to its original shape.
Strong clear solid PC sheets that are 3 mm to 12 mm thick are good for skylights, canopies, rain shelters, and wall glazing systems. It's not as heavy as glass—about half as heavy—so it puts less stress on the frames that hold it up. SINHAI comes in sizes of up to 2.1 meters and lengths that can be cut to any length. This means that big building projects don't have to worry about being limited in size.
Glass is better than other materials when scratch resistance is very important, like in optical tools, high-end storefronts, and show cases that get a lot of use. Because it's harder on the outside than regular plastic, it doesn't wear down as quickly. In places inside the house that don't need to be cleaned or hit very often, glass might be the best choice. When procurement managers know this line, they can avoid giving too many or too few details about the material.
You need to know why prices change and what to ask a seller in order to get the best deal on a clear solid PC sheet.
The prices of sheets of different sizes are very different. For example, a 1.5 mm sheet and a 12 mm sheet are priced very differently. It doesn't matter what grade of resin is used. Sheets made from 100% virgin Bayer or Sabic PC resin are more expensive than sheets made from recycled-blend resin, but they look the same and work the same way. There is a small cost increase for UV co-extrusion that is covered by the guarantee. SINHAI has warranties that range from 10 to 20 years, based on the type of object.
Make sure you have all the right licenses before you place a large order. Certifications like CE, RoHS, ISO 9001, and SGS are all acceptable. It's important to know if the UV protection is co-extruded (lasts longer) or surface-coated (breaks down quickly). A spectrophotometer test result with an original Yellowness Index below 1.0 is what you should ask for. SINHAI sheets are sent out on wooden pallets or crates that have PE film on both sides to protect the surface while they are being shipped.
Make sure to give your exact thickness, width, and length when you call. It is possible for SINHAI to cut to any length and to special sizes of 1220mm, 1560mm, 1830mm, and 2100mm. As an extra service, we can print the OEM logo on the protective film and use a CNC to cut, chamfer, and drill the part. When importers place orders for mixed containers, SINHAI has three production sites and 25 production lines that can ship hollow, solid, corrugated, and profile PC goods all at the same time.
Polycarbonate competes with glass and acrylic (PMMA) when it comes to buying things.
Plain polycarbonate isn't as clear as acrylic, and acrylic doesn't scratch as easily. Acrylic is weak, though. It only stands up to 6–17 times as much pressure as glass, while polycarbonate does 250–300 times better. Acrylic breaks when it's outside and hit by snow, dirt, or mechanical stress. clear solid PC sheets that are stiff last a long time. Polycarbonate can be used for bus stop screens, noise barriers on the highway, and machine covers in the business world.
| Property | Polycarbonate Solid Sheet | Glass | Acrylic |
|---|---|---|---|
| Impact Resistance | 250–300x glass | Baseline | 6–17x glass |
| Light Transmission | Up to 90% | ~90% | ~92% |
| UV Protection | 98–100% (co-extruded) | None (standard) | Coating optional |
| Service Temperature | -40°C to +120°C | Stable but brittle | -40°C to +80°C |
| Weight | ~Half of glass | Heavy | Light |
| Fire Rating | B1 / UL94 V-2 | Non-combustible | HB (slower burning) |
In almost all studies of strength and safety, clear solid PC sheet works better than glass. Because it can handle temperatures from -40°C to +120°C, blocks 98–100% of UV light, and has a B1 self-extinguishing fire grade, it is 250–300 times stronger than glass. This makes it the best choice for use in security, building, industry, and transportation. Glass keeps its value when you want something that won't scratch and looks high-end. For most business-to-business purchases that need to be used outside, meet safety standards, or be made to a certain size, clear solid PC sheet is the best choice because it is stronger, lighter, and more flexible.
Yes. A clear solid PC sheet gets stronger when it is hit from all sides as it gets thicker. A 12 mm thick polycarbonate sheet takes in a lot more moving energy than a 3 mm thick sheet. SINHAI comes in a range of thicknesses, from 0.95 mm to 23 mm, so it can be used for a lot of different things, from light display covers to heavy-duty security glazing.
Yes. Polycarbonate can be used again and again because it is a thermoplastic. SINHAI doesn't use any leftover Bayer/Sabic PC resin; they only use brand-new resin. This makes sure that the display and function of the item don't change over time.
There is a B1 rating for the clear solid PC sheet made by SINHAI under GB 8624 and a V-2 rating under UL94. It puts out the fire itself; it won't keep going after the fire source is taken away. When it burns, it doesn't give off any dangerous gasses.
Yes. Aside from standard CNC machining, it can also laser cut, cold bend (with a radius of at least 175 times the sheet's width), chamfer, and drill. When SINHAI processes something, it also cuts the protective PE film to size and prints the OEM mark on it in the plant.
Since more than 30 years ago, SINHAI has made things itself. It has three plants with 25 lines. We are one of the biggest companies that makes clear solid PC sheets. We ship quickly all over the world and help OEMs with all of their processing needs. Email our team at [email protected] or visit sinhaiplast.com to get price quotes for special sizes, samples, or large orders. We'll do the rest; just tell us how thick, big, and what you plan to use it for.
1. ASTM D256 — Standard Test Methods for Determining the Izod Pendulum Impact Resistance of Plastics, ASTM International, 2023.
2. ASTM D1003 — Standard Test Method for Haze and Luminous Transmittance of Transparent Plastics, ASTM International, 2021.
3. GB 8624 — Classification for Burning Behavior of Building Materials and Products, Standardization Administration of China, 2012.
4. UL 94 — Standard for Tests for Flammability of Plastic Materials for Parts in Devices and Appliances, UL Standards & Engagement, 2022.
5. Brydson, J.A., Plastics Materials, 7th ed., Butterworth-Heinemann, 1999.
6. Makrolon® Polycarbonate Product Guide, Covestro AG, 2022.
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