Optical grade polycarbonate is an extremely tough, optically clear material that provides total luminous transmittance with a very low haze factor and low distortion. Its high impact strength makes it the perfect substitute for glass in a variety of applications, from laminated security glazing to military vehicle glazing and more. At Reading Plastic, our state-of-the-art CNC machines can cut and shape optical grade polycarbonate to your exact specifications for high-quality end-use precision and performance.
This transparent, stiff and strong thermoplastic offers optimal visual quality and outstanding impact resistance, making it perfectly suited for tough applications. In fact, it is one the most widely used engineering thermoplastics in applications that demand high-performance properties.
Optical grade polycarbonate is virtually unbreakable, with an impact strength 250 times that of float glass and 30 times that of acrylic. And at half the weight of plate glass, it allows structural applications to require less support. This high impact strength makes it resistant to repeated blows, shattering and spalling. (“Spalling” is surface or subsurface fatigue that causes fractures to form in running surfaces. When rolling elements travel across these cracks, pieces of the material flake away. Spalling is also referred to as flaking, peeling or pitting.)
Key properties of optical grade polycarbonate include:
Optical grade polycarbonate can be used in a wide variety of applications and industries, from automotive and military to architectural and retail. Common uses include:
Reading Plastic has been delivering precise, high-quality parts for nearly four decades. As an experienced high-end machine shop, we specialize in tight tolerances and are ISO 9001:2015 certified. If you have a project that can benefit from optical grade polycarbonate parts, call us today at (610) 926-3245 or email us at site2@readingplastic.com. We look forward to working with you.
