Why Polycarbonate Reigns Supreme in Weather Resistance
Polycarbonate is widely used in lots of outdoor applications such as greenhouse, and skylights. They will expose to the weather every day; people will worry about the lifespan of polycarbonate. so, they always ask “Is polycarbonate weather resistant” when a manufacturer tell them use polycarbonate for their projects . in this article, we will show you the answer of this question.
What Is Plastic “Weather-Resistant”?
weather can be harsh and unpredictable, Sun light, Temperature, wind and rain, bacteria will affect the material performance and result as comprehensive damage, The ability of plastic withstand these conditions, we called weather-resistant.
How will outdoor weather affect the plastic part?
UV from sunlight will attack many plastics, resulting in discoloration and embrittlement. The most common types of degradation from weathering are embrittlement of the material and color change (yellowing) over time. Transparent plastics can become hazy when used outdoors.
What is polycarbonate plastic?
Polycarbonate is a very strong and resilient thermoplastic material. Polycarbonate is lightweight and capable of withstanding extreme temperatures, either hot or cold. Due to these qualities, it makes for an effective roofing material. Polycarbonate is also frequently used for pool covers, or for roofing on industrial warehouses. 250 times the impact strength of glass and 30 times that of acrylic, polycarbonate panels are a great product for a wide variety of outdoor uses.
How polycarbonate sheet be UV-Resistant?
The most practical and effective method is to add ultraviolet absorbent (UV material) to polycarbonate sheet. According to the different production process, there are three ways to add UV material: mixed addition method, coating method and co-extrusion method.
Mix Addition Method
Mix a certain proportion of UV material (about 5%) with polycarbonate material, then extrude after high temperature melt. However, most of the sheets processed by this method are still exposed to the sun, so the aging of the sheet surface is still inevitable.
Coating Method
Coat with a layer of UV material on the surface of sheet. However, after the installation, rain has possibility to wash away the coating on the surface of the sheet. In addition, both sides of the panels are covered with protective film to allow for possible damage during storage and transportation. The protective film must be torn off at the end of the installation, because the protective film is viscous, a large number of surface coated UV material will stick off in the process of tearing, so the actual effect is poor.
Coextrusion Method
The most advanced method in the world now is co-extrusion method. This method is putting Polycarbonate material and UV material respectively in the extruder, after high temperature melt extrusion, mold convergence, flow drainage on polycarbonate sheet surface through mold to form a dense UV material protective layer. Using this method in the actual production, temperature, speed, pressure and other changes will affect the distribution of UV material on the surface of the sheet, result an uneven thickness on the sheet surface. So process control is crucial foe this method.
Other Polycarbonate Product
Conclusion
KUSLA polycarbonate sheets are absolutely weather resistant. Because we adopt the coextrusion method, and equipped with professional UV layer thickness detection equipment, according to the detected data to adjust the production process, in order to ensure that the thickness and UV layer uniform distribution, to improve the weather resistance of polycarbonate sheet, prolong the service life. Contact us if have more questions about any property of Polycarbonate.
Recommend Readings about Polycarbonate
-
polycarbonate Cutting: A complete guide
Cutting polycarbonate is widely use in many applications like cutting acrylic. but cutting polycarbonate sheet is easy because it is very strong and also heat resistant, so no cracking happens when cutting polycarbonate. in this article, we will show you different methods and tips on how to cut polycarbonate sheet including using different jaws, Knife… – Read More
-
Complete Guide to Cut polycarbonate
Polycarbonate is an exceptional type of plastic known for its strength, transparency, and remarkable resistance to both heat and impact. It is used in various industries due to its outstanding qualities, particularly in impact-resistant and transparent. This versatile material is used in creating eyewear lenses, automotive components, protective gear, greenhouses, and more. Unlike many other… – Read More
-
Polycarbonate bending: The ultimate Guide
Polycarbonate bent parts used in a wide range of applications such as windscreens, Protective covers. Unlike acrylic only could be heat bending, Polycarbonate sheets can be bent or deformed both from hot and cold bending. In this article, we’ll provide insights into the mechanics of polycarbonate plastic bending and share effective techniques for achieving the… – Read More
-
Understanding Plastic Bending Techniques and Best Practices
What is plastic bending? Plastic bending is a manufacturing process used to reshape thermoplastic materials such as acrylic, polycarbonate, and PVC. It involves heating a plastic sheet or material until it becomes soft, allowing it to be formed into specific shapes or configurations. This process is widely employed in various industries, including signage, automotive, retail,… – Read More
-
Everything You Need To Know About Screen Printing On Acrylic
Screen printing is a popular printing technique that involves using a mesh screen to transfer ink onto a substrate. Acrylic screen printing is a variation of this technique that involves printing on acrylic sheets. Acrylic sheets are a popular material for printing because they are lightweight, durable, and easy to work with. What is Acrylic?… – Read More
-
Does Polycarbonate Crack Easily?
Polycarbonate material is a high-performance thermoplastic known for its remarkable strength, durability, and versatility. As a popular choice for various applications, ranging from glazing and roofing to safety equipment and electronics, it is essential to understand the properties of polycarbonate and its performance under different conditions. This article aims to provide an in-depth analysis of… – Read More