Solid Polycarbonate Sheet

The general-purpose grade — around 200× the impact strength of glass, and it will not shatter.

Solid polycarbonate — sold in some markets as PC sheet, compact sheet or bulletproof glazing — is a single-layer extruded sheet with no internal structure. It is the grade to specify when the panel has to take a hit and stay in one piece.

Unlike glass it does not shatter, and unlike acrylic it does not crack: it deforms and recovers. That behaviour is why it is used for riot shields, machine guarding and stadium barriers rather than because of any marketing claim.

Solid polycarbonate sheet in clear and tinted colours

Specification

Property	Specification
Material	100% virgin polycarbonate
Thickness	0.1 mm – 20 mm
Widths	1220 / 1560 / 1820 / 2100 mm (other widths made to order)
Length	2440 mm standard; cut to any length within transport limits
Colours	Clear, opal white, green, blue, grey, brown; custom to order
Light transmission	Up to 90% (clear)
Impact strength	Approx. 200× glass, 30× acrylic
Temperature range	−40 °C to 120 °C
Fire behaviour	B1, ignition point 580 °C, self-extinguishing
UV protection	Co-extruded one or both faces (specify for outdoor use)

What solid sheet is good at

It does not shatter. Under impact it yields and springs back. There are no fragments, which is why it passes where safety glass legislation applies.
It survives cold. No embrittlement at −30 °C, verified stable to −40 °C. Acrylic in the same conditions cracks.
It is quiet. 5–9 dB better sound reduction than glass of equal thickness — the reason it is standard on motorway noise barriers.
It is light. About half the weight of glass, which changes the framing, the fixings and the installation cost, not just the panel price.

What it is not good at

Bare polycarbonate scratches. If the panel will be cleaned daily, wiped with abrasive cloths, or handled in a retail environment, specify the hard-coated grade instead — retrofitting a coating is not possible.

It is also attacked by some solvents and cleaning chemicals, notably ammonia-based glass cleaners. Tell us the cleaning regime and we will confirm compatibility before you commit.

Typical applications

Machine guarding and equipment windows
Carport, walkway and bus shelter roofing
Security and anti-vandal glazing
Motorway and railway noise barriers
Signage faces and display fabrication
Riot shields and protective screens

Minimum order and lead time

This grade ships from 100 m² or 1 tonne — a trial pallet, not a full container. Standard sizes and stock colours run in 7–10 days; non-standard thickness or width in 12–18 days; add 3–7 days for CNC cut-to-size work. Quoted in USD on FOB, CIF or DDP terms. Full detail on the MOQ, lead time & shipping page.

Questions buyers ask

What is the difference between solid and multiwall polycarbonate?

Solid sheet is a single dense layer — stronger, clearer and heavier. Multiwall has internal ribs and air channels — lighter, better insulating and cheaper per square metre, but not optically clear. Use solid where you look through it or hit it; multiwall where you roof with it.

Can solid polycarbonate be cold-bent on site?

Yes, within a minimum radius of roughly 150× the sheet thickness — so 3 mm sheet bends to about a 450 mm radius. Tighter curves need thermoforming, which we do in-house.

Do you supply sheet cut to size?

Yes, on 22 CNC machining centres at ±0.1 mm. Send DXF, DWG, STEP or PDF and we quote the finished part rather than the raw sheet.

Request a quote MOQ & shipping

From the factory