Tips for Engineering Plastic Sheets: Introduction, Physical and Chemical Properties, Installation...

Oct 08, 2024

Ⅰ. Types of Engineering Plastic Sheets

 

Yiheda commonly uses four types of engineering plastic sheets: acrylic sheet (PMMA), polycarbonate sheet (PC), polyvinyl chloride sheet (PVC), and aluminum-plastic composite sheet, of which the first three are plastic sheets.

 

Ⅱ. Features

 

1. Acrylic sheet (PMMA)

 

Introduction

Acrylic is also known as PMMA or plexiglass, with the chemical name polymethyl methacrylate. It is polymerized from methyl methacrylate (PMMA) monomers. All the acrylic sheets sold by our company are cast acrylic sheets.

Density

1.15~1.2g/cm³

Light Transmittance

Over 92%

Operating Temperature

-30℃~60℃

Main Features

- Excellent transparency: With crystal-like transparency, it is known as "plastic crystal," with a light transmittance of over 92%, providing soft light and clear vision.
- Superior processing performance: It has good processing properties, and can be thermoformed or mechanically processed.
- High safety: Lightweight, shatter-resistant, and even if broken, it does not form sharp fragments like glass.
- Excellent weather resistance: Highly adaptable to natural environments, its performance remains unchanged even after prolonged exposure to sunlight, wind, and rain, with good aging resistance.
- Good stability: Its abrasion resistance is close to that of aluminum, with good stability, and it can resist corrosion from various chemicals.

Applications

With excellent light transmittance, diverse colors and surface textures, good plasticity, and long lifespan, it is widely used in industries such as instrument parts, automotive lights, optical lenses, and transparent pipelines.

 

2. Polycarbonate sheet (PC)

 

Introduction

PC sheet, also known as polycarbonate sheet or Capron sheet, is an engineering plastic with excellent comprehensive properties. It has outstanding physical, mechanical, electrical, and thermal properties, and is renowned as the "King of Transparent Plastics."

Density

1.2g/cm³

Light Transmittance

85%~92%

Operating Temperature

-40℃~95℃

Main Features

- Impact resistance: Its impact strength is 250-300 times that of ordinary glass, 30 times that of acrylic sheets of the same thickness, and 10-20 times that of tempered glass. It is known as "unbreakable glass" and "sounding steel."
- Good sound insulation: PC sheets have a significant soundproofing effect, offering better acoustic insulation compared to glass and acrylic sheets of the same thickness.
- Energy efficiency: PC sheets have a lower thermal conductivity than ordinary glass and other plastics, offering 7%-25% better thermal insulation than glass of the same thickness, with maximum insulation up to 49%.
- Flame retardant: The ignition point of PC sheets is 580°C, and they self-extinguish after being removed from the fire. They do not produce toxic gases during combustion and do not contribute to the spread of fire.

Applications

Suitable for environments requiring high impact resistance, sound insulation, and some degree of thermal insulation. It is widely used for protective covers, machine guards, and sound barriers.

 

3. Polyvinyl chloride board (PVC)

 

Introduction

PVC, also known as polyvinyl chloride, is naturally a pale yellow, semi-transparent granular material with a glossy finish. It can be classified into PVC transparent sheets and opaque PVC sheets. Currently, our company only supplies PVC transparent sheets, which have a slight blue-purple tint.

Density

1.38~1.4g/cm³

Light Transmittance

Above 80%

Operating Temperature

-15°C~60°C

Main Features

- Flame Retardancy: PVC has a flame retardant value above 40, does not self-ignite, and does not promote combustion. It burns when in contact with flames but extinguishes immediately once the flame is removed.
- Durability: PVC has high oxidation resistance and maintains its properties over an extended period.
- Stability: PVC is insoluble in water, alcohol, gasoline, and gases. It is chemically resistant to some extent and is non-toxic and odorless.
- Processability: PVC sheets have good printability and sprayability and are suitable for secondary processing. They perform well in drilling, engraving, bending, high-frequency bonding, and vacuum forming.

Applications

Suitable for environments where high light transmittance is not required, but corrosion resistance, flame retardancy, and various processing needs are important. It is widely used in protective covers, interior parts, drinking water tanks, liquid level displays, and more.

 

4. Aluminum-plastic composite panel

 

Introduction

Aluminum-plastic composite panels are made of multiple layers of materials. The upper and lower layers are high-purity aluminum alloy plates, and the middle layer is a non-toxic, low-density polyethylene (PE) core. The front surface is also covered with a protective film.

Density

The weight is approximately 4.0~5.5 kg per square meter (5mm thickness).

Light Transmittance

/

Operating Temperature

-40°C~70°C

Main Features

- Flame Retardancy: The core of the aluminum-plastic panel is made of flame-retardant PE plastic, and both sides are covered by highly non-combustible aluminum layers. Therefore, it is a safe fire-resistant material that meets building code fire resistance requirements.
- Impact Resistance: Strong impact resistance, high toughness, and the surface paint remains intact even when bent. It is highly resistant to damage, making it ideal for regions with strong winds and sand without the risk of surface damage.
- Superior Weather Resistance: Due to the fluorocarbon resin (PVDF) coating on its surface, the panel offers excellent weather resistance, maintaining its appearance even under extreme sunlight or harsh winter conditions.

Applications

Suitable for harsh environments where light transmission is not required. Aluminum-plastic panels can generally replace other materials and offer a more economical solution.

 

5. Characteristics and common surface hardness of acrylic, PVC and PC sheets

 

Property Acrylic (PMMA) Polycarbonate (PC) PVC
Surface Hardness Hardness can reach 4H; hardened coatings can reach 4-6H. N/A N/A
Light Transmittance Up to 93% Approximately 85-90% Over 80%
Impact Resistance 30 times that of ordinary glass; 2-20 times that of tempered glass Best impact resistance (250-300 times that of ordinary glass) More brittle than both acrylic and PC
Flame Resistance Generally flammable; flame-retardant versions are available Difficult to ignite, self-extinguishing Best flame resistance (UL94 V-0 grade)
Cutting Tolerance ±0.3mm for lengths and widths <1000mm; ±0.5mm for lengths and widths >1000mm N/A N/A
Price per kg Higher than PVC, lower than PC Highest Lowest

 

Ⅲ. Physical and Chemical Properties

 

1. Acrylic sheet (PMMA)

 

Properties

Unit

Numerical

MECHANICA

SPECIFIC GRAVITY

 

1.19-1.2

ROCKWELL HARDNESS

Kg/cm2

M-100

SHEARSTRENGTH

Kg/cm2

630

RUPTURE

Kg/cm2

1050

TENSILESTRENGTH

Kg/cm2

760

YIELD

Kg/cm2

1260

IMPACTSTRENGTH

Cal/Gr°C

0.35

THERMAL

SPECIFICHEAT

Cal/xee/cm/°C/cm

 

THERMALSEFORMATIONTEMP

100

MAXIMUM CONTINUOUS SERVICE TEMPERATURE

85

THERMALFORMINGTEMP

140-180

COEFFICIENTOFLINERTHERMALEXPANSION

Cm/cm/°C

6x10-5

OPTICAL

LIGHTTRANSMITTANCE

%

93

REFRACTIVEINDEX

 

1.49

ELECTRICAL

DIELICTRICSTRENGTH

KV/mm

20

SURFACERESISTIVETY

Ohm

≥1016

MISCELLANEOUS

WATER(24HRS)ABSORPTION

%

0.3

BURNING RATE

IN/MIN

1.3

 

Chemical

Resistance

Chemical

Resistance

Chemical

Resistance

Chemical

Resistance

Chemical

Resistance

Concentrated hydrochloricacid

Methanol

Butanone

Chlorobenzene

X

Acetonitrile

x

Hydrochloricacid

O

Ethanol

Methylisobutylketone

x

Gasoline

 

Acrylonitrile

x

Concentrated hydrochloricacid

X

Isopropylalcohol

Cyclohexanone

X

Kerosene

0

Twohaveamine

0

Sulfuricacid

0

Butanol

Ethylormate

X

Turpentine

0

Dimethylformami

X

Concentratednitricacid

X

Denaturedalcohol

Ethylacetate

X

Solventnaphtha

0

Aniline

X

Aceticacid

0

Benzenecarbonicacid

X

Ethylacetate

x

Mineral oil

0

Saltwater

O

Glacialaceticacid

X

Formaldehyde

0

Propylacetate

X

Olive oil

0

Sea

0

Aceticacid

0

Acetaldehyde

X

Butylacetate

X

Transformer oil

0

Soapywater

O

Formicacid

X

Benzenecarbonicacid

Dibutylphthalate

0

Cotton oil

0

Peroxide

0

Phenol

X

Meathyletheri

Dioctylphthalate

0

urfuran

X

Citric acid

0

sodiumhydroxide

0

Ether

Methylmethacrylate

X

Furfuralalalcchol

X

Detergent

0

Aquaammonia

0

Isopropyl

X

Benzene

X

Furfuryalalcchol

x

Lacquer thinner

X

Ethane

0

Propylenechloride

oluene

X

Tetrahydrofuran

x

 

 


Heptane

0

Dioxane

X

Xylene

X

Nitromethane

X

 

 


Octane

0

Fibrsolvent

Chloroform

X

Nitroethane

X

 

 

Medicinalkane

0

Acetone

X

Carbontetrachloride

Nitrobenzene

x

 

 

Note:

O-No corrosion 

X-No resistance (short-term or rapid corrosion will cause product damage) 

△-Limited resistance (if corrosion continues, it will cause product damage)

 

2. Polycarbonate Sheet (PC)

 

Properties

Unit

Numerical

MECHANICA

SPECIFIC GRAVITY

-

1.2

ROCKWELL HARDNESS

Kg/cm2

M-77

FLEXURAL STRENGTH

Kg/cm2

1000

IMPACT STRENGTH

J/m

850

TENSILES TRENGTH

Kg/cm2

>600

MODULUS OF ELASTICITY

MPa

2400

TENSILE STRESS AT BREAK

MPa

>65

ELONGATION AT BREAK

%

100%

THERMAL

SPECIFIC HEAT

KJ/Kg

1.17

THERMAL SEFORMATION TEMP

140

SERVICE TEMPERATURE

-40~+120

HEAT CONDUCTIVITY

W/m2°C

2.3~3.9

COEFFICIENT OF THERMAL EXPANSION

Mm/mC

0.065

OPTICAL

LIGHT TRANSMITTANCE

%

88

MISCELLA NE OUS

EFFECT OF SOUNDPROOF

dB

-20

WATER(24HRS) ABSORPTION

%

0.2

Note: 6.0mm PC board test data

 

Chemical Name

Suitability

Chemical Name

Suitability

Chemical Name

Suitability

Chemical Name

Suitability

Chemical Name

Suitability

Acetaldehyde

X

Ammonium sulfide

X

Blood and plasma

O

Carbon disulfide

X

Cod liver oil

O

Acetic acid (10%)

O

Amyl acetate

X

Borax

O

Carbon monoxide

O

Coffee

Acetic acid (conc.)

Pentanol

Boric acid

O

Carbon tetrachloride

X

Cooking oil

O

Acetone

X

Aniline

X

Brake fluid

X

Castor oil

O

Copper sulfate (sat.)

O

Acetylene

O

Antimony trichloride (sat.)

O

Bromine

X

Tomato sauce

O

Cresol

X

Acrylonitrile

X

Aqua regia (HCl₂SO₄=3:1)

Bromobenzene

X

Potassium hydroxide

X

Copper chloride (sat.)

O

Allspice powder

X

Arsenic acid (20%)

O

Butane

O

Sodium hydroxide

X

Cuprous chloride (sat.)

O

Allyl alcohol

Car wax

Butter

O

Chlorine (dry)

Cyclohexylamine

O

Aluminum ammonium sulfate

O

Baby lotion

O

Butyl acetate

X

Chlorine (moist)

X

Cyclohexanol

Aluminum oxide (sat.)

O

Animal fat

O

Butanol

O

Chlorobenzene

X

Cyclohexanone

X

Aluminum oxalate

O

Barium chloride

O

Butylene glycol

O

Chloroform

X

Naphthene

O

Aluminum sulfate (sat.)

O

Battery electrolyte

O

Butyric acid

X

Chocolate

O

Cleaner

△ or O

Ammonia gas

X

Beer

O

Calcium chloride (sat.)

O

Alum (sat.)

O

Naphtha

X

Ammonium hydroxide

X

Beet soup

O

Calcium hypochlorite

O

Chromium trioxide (20%)

O

Kerosene

Ammonium carbonate

Benzaldehyde

X

Calcium nitrate

O

Cinnamon

O

Gasoline

Ammonium chloride

O

Benzene

X

Calcium soap fat

O

Citric acid (10%)

O

Paint

X

Ammonium fluoride

X

Benzoic acid

X

Camphor oil

X

Clove

X

 

 

Ammonium hydroxide

X

Benzyl alcohol

X

Carbolic acid

X

Coal gas

O

 

 

Ammonium nitrate

O

Betadine

O

Carbon sulfite

X

Coca-Cola

 

 

Ammonium sulfate (sat.)

O

Bleach (sodium hypochlorite)

O

Carbon dioxide (moist)

O

Cocoa drink

 

 

 

Notes:

O – Non-corrosive

X – Non-resistant (damage occurs in a short time or due to rapid corrosion)

 – Limited resistance (prolonged corrosion can lead to product damage)

 

3. Polyvinyl chloride sheet (PVC)

 

Properties

Unit

Numerical

MECHANICA

SPECIFIC GRAVITY

 

1.45

ROCKWELL HARDNESS

Kg/cm2

82

FLEXURAL STRENGTH

Kg/cm2

765

TENSILES TRENGTH

Kg/cm2

612

MODULUS OF ELASTICITY

MPa

3000

TENSILE STRESS AT BREAK

MPa

90

ELONGATION AT BREAK

%

 

THERMAL

THERMAL SEFORMATION TEMP

98

TEMPERATURE RESISTANCE (CONTINUOUS)

60

TEMPERATURE RESISTANCE (SHORT TIME)

65

MELTING POINT

120

OPTICAL

LIGHT TRANSMITTANCE

%

80

MISCELLANEOUS

STATIC FRICTION COEFFICIENT

 

0.5

WATER(24HRS) ABSORPTION

%

0.12

Note: PVC transparent board test data

 

Chemical Name

Suitability

Chemical Name

Suitability

Chemical Name

Suitability

Chemical Name

Suitability

Chemical Name

Suitability

Sulfuric acid (10%)

O

Chlorinated solvents

X

Benzaldehyde

X

Diacetone alcohol

X

Turbine oil

Sulfuric acid (70%)

X

Sodium chloride

Xylene

X

Dimethylformamide

O

Brake oil

Hydrochloric acid (10%)

Calcium chloride

Dibutyl phthalate

O

Dioxane

X

Fuel oil

O

Acetic acid (50%)

O

Barium chloride

Acetylene

O

Ethyl acrylate

O

Petroleum

Nitric acid (30%)

Aluminum chloride

Propane

Ethyl cellulose

O

Lubricating oil

Nitric acid (60%)

X

Copper chloride

Butane

O

Ethylene dichloride

Mineral oil

Carbonic acid

Mercuric chloride

O

Hexane

X

Phosphorus chloride

X

Kerosene

X

Oxalic acid

X

Ammonium chloride

Hexanal

X

Potassium cyanide

Turpentine

Sodium hydroxide

X

Liquid ammonia

X

Acetone

X

Silicone oil

X

Tar

X

Calcium hydroxide

X

Ammonium hydroxide

X

Propylene

X

Silicon tetrachloride

O

Oleic acid

Potassium hydroxide

Ammonia gas

X

Cyclohexanone

Air

O

Water-lubricant emulsion

Barium hydroxide

Ammonium nitrate

Cyclohexanol

Hydrogen

Bleach

O

Methanol

X

Ammonium nitrite

O

Acetamide

O

Helium

Salad oil

Ethanol

Ammonium phosphate

Aluminum bromide

O

Liquefied petroleum gas

O

Beer

Propanol

O

Mercury

Arsenic acid

O

Steam

X

Citric acid

O

Butanol

X

Benzene

X

Butyl acetate

O

Hydrogen peroxide (30%)

O

Vegetable oil

Chlorine

Phenol

Calcium bisulfite

X

Sodium peroxide

Fatty acid

Liquid chlorine

X

Benzene ring

Acetate solvent

X

Gasoline

X

Milk

O

Chloroform

X

Aniline

X

Dibutyl ether

X

Light gasoline

Soap solution

O

Notes:

O – Fully suitable

X – Not suitable

△ – Conditionally suitable (suitable under specific conditions)

 

Ⅳ. Installation Methods of Profile Plate

1. Angle code fixation
The plate needs to be punched, and the hole position needs to correspond to the screw hole of the extruded angle seat, and then installed in one piece, which is simple and convenient.

 

2. Flat fixation
The plate needs to be punched, installed with the profile T-nut, and laid flat on the profile frame, which is easy to install and beautiful in appearance.

 

3. Panel pressure strip (U-shaped groove strip) fixation
The plate does not need additional processing. First place the plate in the slot, and then install and fix it with the corresponding pressure strip. It is easy to install, the plate can be removable, and there is a range requirement for the thickness of the plate (depending on the pressure strip model 3~5mm)

 

4. Glass glue fixation
The plate does not need additional processing. Directly place the plate in the aluminum profile slot, and then apply glass glue to fix it. The installation is stable and cannot be removed.

 

5. Interval fixing block fixation
The plate needs to be punched, and the installation method is similar to the angle code fixation. The plate fixing hole position can be customized.
For detailed installation instructions, see: Profile plate fixing method example (yhdfa.com)

 

V. Antistatic Plate

 

Antistatic plate requirements:

The surface resistance of our antistatic plate is 105~108 Ω;

● Antistatic performance is not easily affected by humidity and temperature, and is resistant to salt spray;
● Beautiful appearance, excellent light transmittance, UV resistance, and low gas volatility;
● Excellent surface hardness and resistance to chemical solvent erosion, and can withstand alcohol and other wipes;
● Excellent coating durability, high mechanical strength, and excellent processing performance;
● Does not damage the physical properties of the substrate (acrylic, PC, PVC).

 

Precautions for use:


● Antistatic sheets should not be placed in a high temperature environment for a long time, which will cause the antistatic effect to deteriorate;
● The board surface is prohibited from contacting strong acids, strong alkalis and corrosive organic solvents;
● When processing antistatic sheets, be careful not to scratch or bump the surface of the sheet to avoid damaging the surface coating and causing the sheet to lose its antistatic effect;
● Antistatic sheets cannot be hot-bent, which will affect the antistatic effect;
● When bonding antistatic sheets, the surface to be bonded should be ground off by about 0.5mm in advance, and then bonded with special glue. At present, our company's antistatic sheet products: antistatic acrylic sheet, antistatic PC sheet, antistatic PVC sheet.
Antistatic treatment method: All are surface treatment, spray antistatic agent on the surface of the sheet.

 

Storage and handling matters:


●Store the board at room temperature and in a ventilated and dry environment. Do not expose the board directly to sunlight, heat sources or humidity;
●Do not remove the protective film before using the board, because daily dust and dirt will adhere to the surface of the board due to static electricity, and the protective film also protects the board from wear and scratches;
●Avoid warping. The board should be stored naturally and flat. If it needs to be stored vertically, it is best to store the board at a small angle and place a support underneath.

 

Find your suitable engineering plastic sheets  for your project today! Contact us for expert advice and customized solutions.

 

RELATED POSTS