For almost every application where glass is currently the (market)standard, plastic can be a possible alternative. And, in some cases, even a better alternative! Why? Because plastic has some interesting advantages, especially in combination with the right anti-scratch and/or anti-fog coating. Plastic versus glass: an overview of the main advantages
Plastic weighs at least 50% less than glass! For example:
SAN (styrene acrylonitrile) has a specific gravity of 1.08 g/cm3 versus glass 2.50 g/cm3.
PC (polycarbonate) has a specific gravity of 1.20 g/cm3 vs glass 2.50 g/cm3.
PMMA (polymethylmethacrylate) has a specific gravity of 1.20 g/cm3 vs glass 2.50 g/cm3.
So, a strategic choice to switch to plastic in your product development program, will directly result in a significant saving on transportation and handling costs!
Is energy saving an important theme for your end customer? Please know that plastic insulates better than glass. Each type of plastic has its own specific abilities of course, but on average you can count on a lambda/insulation value between 0.17 – 0.25 W/mK vs glass 0.8 – 0.9 W/mK.
That’s much better than glass!
The durability, surface performance and functionality of your product can be extended by using strong PC (polycarbonate) as a base material instead of fragile glass.
Combined with anti-scratch and/or anti-fog coating, the product surface is optimally protected against scratches, UV radiation, temperature fluctuations and weather conditions.
That way, the optical quality is guaranteed longer, the risk of user damage will be reduced, replacement costs will be lower…
Plastic is a collective term for various types of materials, such as: SAN, PC, PMMA, PET…
Each material has its specific characteristics. This means that there’s always a plastic sheet available with the correct properties for your specific application.
Each type of plastic base material has its own specific characteristics. By adding a thin layer of coating, your plastic sheet gets a functional upgrade. So, even with plastic base materials, we can add functional properties to your plastic and customise them for your product. This is not possible with glass.
Wondering how the advantages of plastic can improve your product and strengthen your selling proposition? The following blogs can give you some more insights:
Interested? Let’s schedule an introduction meeting and talk about your specific situation, your needs, the critical success factors in your markets and on how coated plastic can turn your good idea into a great one! By sharing technical and marketing knowledge, we will be able to find and offer you a suitable solution, custom made! Simply contact us for more information.
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