Opal polycarbonate, also known as Lexan, is a popular substitute for traditional glass in lightboxes and signage. In construction, cars, caravans and boats, polycarbonate panels are often used as privacy glazing, because they are virtually unbreakable. Opal polycarbonate has a light transmission of 22 – 44 % and evenly spreads the incoming light. Polycarbonate is fully suited as replacement for glass and it has two added advantages: it weighs half as much as glass and it’s 250 times more impact resistant. Like other sheets, white opal polycarbonate sheets can be cut to your desired size and will be ready for delivery as soon as possible. In our range we offer clear polycarbonate and tinted polycarbonate sheets.
Opal polycarbonate appears white but still allows 22 – 44 % of light through. This panel is ideal for privacy glazing, but you can also use it for an illuminated advertising sign, lightbox or light cube. Because the opal polycarbonate panel is evenly coloured, the light is very nicely distributed and you can create a really eye-catching piece.
We offer opal white polycarbonate in sheet thicknesses of 2, 3, 4 and 5 mm. In our webshop, you will find polycarbonate sheets in a range of colours: clear, opal, grey and brown tinted. Always choose clear polycarbonate if you’re using polycarbonate as a replacement for clear traditional glass.
Tip: Do you want to use opal white polycarbonate for privacy glazing? Choose a sheet thickness of at least 4 mm. For glazing from 1.5 m², it is advisable to choose a minimum sheet thickness of 6 mm.
Polycarbonate is very strong and easy to work on, even for the home handyman. You can process it more easily than cast acrylic because the chance of the material breaking is considerably smaller. You can drill, saw, mill and polish the material in the same way as moulded acrylic. Polycarbonate sheets can be fixed in various ways: with screw connections, in rubber seals or with special glue.
Useful to know:
Polycarbonate has an expansion degree of 0.065 millimetres per metre per degree Celsius. This is why it is important that you make the fixing holes wide enough. This prevents the bolt or screw getting stuck when the panel expands. If you use glue or sealant, it must be sufficiently flexible.
Example:
You want to use a polycarbonate sheet as balcony glazing and the sheet is 2 metres wide. The outside temperatures can vary from -15 ° to + 35 ° Celsius, giving a temperature difference of 50 ° Celsius on a panel of 2 metres. The expansion degree is then (2 metres * 0.065) * 50 degrees = 6.5 mm.
Polycarbonate sheets distinguish themselves because of their high impact resistance: the material is virtually unbreakable. Polycarbonate can cope with high temperatures, it’s self-extinguishing and fire retardant. The sheet is easy to handle, and is suitable for sawing, drilling and milling. Polycarbonate sheets are also easy to bend without tearing or damaging the fold. Both sides of the sheets are covered by a protective film to prevent damage from transport or handling. All polycarbonate sheets in our range are UV resistant, therefore they are well suited for outdoor applications. For instance, they can be used to replace a boat window or when building a canopy. When polycarbonate sheets are not UV resistant, they will become discoloured and turn yellowish after two or three years. The strength of the material allows polycarbonate sheets to be used as vandalism and burglary proof glazing, for example in bus shelters, waiting areas, bicycle parking, et cetera. Polycarbonate sheets are also very suitable for replacing car, boat and caravan windows. Other names that are given to polycarbonate are: Lexan, Arla, Margard, Calibre, Radilux, Makrolon, Quin, Axxis, Panlite, Lexgard and Makrofol. Polycarbonate is more prone to scratching in comparison to regular glass. Scratches are easily removed by polishing the sheet. We recommend treating the sheet with an antistatic cleaner to prevent the plastic from attracting dust.
Polycarbonate is slightly more sensitive to scratches than traditional glass so avoid using hard brushes, scouring pads and abrasive cleaning agents. Read our cleaning tips below:
This is how you clean polycarbonate:
Wipe the panel with a clean, damp cloth and rinse it regularly. This prevents the dirt from being moved over the panel, causing scratches. Afterwards, apply a little Burnus antistatic cleaner on a clean, lint-free cloth.
Useful to know:
Avoid using alcohol, acetone, benzene, thinner or standard glass cleaner. They leave scratches or a haze on the glass. Has the polycarbonate been damaged or are there lots of scratches? Then you can polish the panel. Deeper scratches must be pre-sanded with normal sandpaper or wool with a grain no coarser than 400.
Tip: Are you going to machine polish polycarbonate? Read our blog: Polishing polycarbonate sheet
Order polycarbonate sheets easily and quickly in the colour opal white. We will cut the sheets for you. You will receive the order as soon as possible and we will send you updates about the status of your order via email.
Any questions about opal polycarbonate?
Would you like more information about opal-coloured polycarbonate sheets? View our frequently asked questions page or ask our customer services team.
Do you have any questions about our products or the ordering process?
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