Is polycarbonate stronger than acrylic?

For impact, yes, by a wide margin: polycarbonate bends or dents where acrylic would crack. Acrylic is stiffer and has the harder, more scratch-resistant surface.

Which is clearer, acrylic or polycarbonate?

Acrylic. It transmits a little more light, looks more like glass and its cut edges can be polished clear.

Which is better for outdoors?

Acrylic weathers very well on its own. Polycarbonate is fine outdoors if it has a UV-protected face, which must face the sun; without it, it yellows and goes brittle over time.

Acrylic vs Polycarbonate Sheet: Perspex vs Polycarbonate

Acrylic vs polycarbonate

Acrylic (often called Perspex) and polycarbonate are the two clear plastic sheets most people choose between. They look almost the same on the shelf, but they behave very differently: acrylic is the clearer, harder-surfaced sheet, and polycarbonate is the one that does not break.

This compares flat solid sheet. Plastics Hub NZ supplies both and does not supply corrugated or twin-wall polycarbonate.

Side by side

Property	Acrylic (Perspex)	Polycarbonate
Clarity	Very clear and glass-like; edges polish clear	Clear, slightly less so; edges do not polish clear
Impact strength	Stronger than glass, but can crack or shatter	Very tough; it bends or dents rather than breaks
Surface hardness	Harder; resists scratches better	Softer; scratches easily unless hard-coated
Stiffness	Stiffer at the same thickness	More flexible; can bend cold
Outdoors	Weathers well and stays clear for years	Needs a UV-protected face, or it yellows in sun
Cutting	Saw, router, or score and snap thin sheet	Saw or rout; thin sheet cuts with shears
Gluing	Solvent cement gives clear, strong joints	Harder to glue; often fixed mechanically
Heat	Softens at a lower temperature	Handles more heat

Choose acrylic when it has to look good

Display cases, signs, picture glazing, splashbacks and anything people look at closely suit acrylic: it is clearer, keeps its gloss and resists everyday scratches better. It can also be glued into near-invisible joints.

Choose polycarbonate when it has to survive

Machine guards, school and gym screens, glazing that might be knocked and anything that could be hit, dropped or kicked suit polycarbonate. Its toughness is the reason to accept a softer surface.

Perspex vs polycarbonate

Perspex is a brand of acrylic, so Perspex vs polycarbonate is the same question as acrylic vs polycarbonate. In New Zealand the name is often used for any clear acrylic sheet.

Is one cheaper?

Prices change with thickness, size and grade, so compare the sheets you are actually choosing between. Request a quote with the sizes you need and we'll confirm.

Questions

Is polycarbonate stronger than acrylic?: For impact, yes, by a wide margin: polycarbonate bends or dents where acrylic would crack. Acrylic is stiffer and has the harder, more scratch-resistant surface.
Which is clearer, acrylic or polycarbonate?: Acrylic. It transmits a little more light, looks more like glass and its cut edges can be polished clear.
Which is better for outdoors?: Acrylic weathers very well on its own. Polycarbonate is fine outdoors if it has a UV-protected face, which must face the sun; without it, it yellows and goes brittle over time.