lexan can b easily found locally compared to acrylic, for the purpose of sub boxes acrylic is the go, lexan will b almost double the cost of acrylic. lexan can bend easily compared to acrylic cause acrylic is harder, lexan on the other hand is softer dats y it has a higher impact strength and bullet proof (it absorbes the impact) flexing is not good for sub boxes. im sure in school u guy did material strengths, a harden material is always more brittle. acrylic clarity is also higher
http://www.hydrosight.com/technology/po ... crylic.phpAcrylic often compared to Polycarbonate, which is an other transparent plastic, that is sometimes used for bearing loads. Polycarbonate is sometimes called Lexan®, which is a trademark by GE Plastics. An other popular brand name for Polycarbonate is Makrolon®, owned by Bayer. Acrylic on the other hand is often called Plexiglas. Plexiglas ® is a trademark by Roehm and Hass.
Popular Uses for Acrylic (Plexiglas):Motorcycle helmet visors
Helicopter Windows, Submarine Windows
Spectator protection in ice hockey
Police riot control vehicles modifications
Swimming Pool Windows
Aquariums and Terariums (including large public aquarium walls and tunnels)
Popular Uses for Polycarbonate (Lexan):Compact discs, DVDs
Lighting lenses, sun-glass/eyeglass lenses, safety glasses, automotive headlamp lenses
Drinking bottles
Computers: Apple, Inc.’s MacBook, iMac, and Mac mini
Cases
Riot shields, visors
Instrument panels
Bullet-proof Glass
Key characteristics, Acrylic compared to Polycarbonate:More likely to chip, less impact resistance then Polycarbonate. (still 10-24 times more resistant than float glass)
Less likely to scratch.
Does NOT yellow after time.
Better clarity. Acrylic can be restored to optical clarity by polishing.
Key characteristics, Polycarbonate compared to Acrylic:Impact/chip resistance is much higher with Polycarbonate. (about 30 times more resistant than glass)
More likely to scratch.
Substantially more expensive. (roughly 2 to 3 times)
Used for more industry applications
Bulletproof when thick enough.
More bendable under normal temperatures (0-20°C)
Yellows over time due to ultraviolet rays
Easier to work with (cut, less likely to break)
Poorer clarity, diffuses light, can lighten (could be positive).
