Polycarbonate is a thermoplastic that comes in a transparent sheet. It is incredibly tough and absorbs minimal moisture, making it resistant to impact damage as well as water damage. It's also flame-retardant and chemical resistant.
Polycarbonate sheet is the choice of manufacturers in a wide range of industries because of its benefits. One of the most important is its strength combined with design flexibility. Polycarbonate is 30 times stronger than acrylic and over 200 times stronger than glass. However, it's also more easily molded than glass and is much lighter.
The chemical and scratch resistance of the material is another advantage of polycarbonate sheet. It's difficult to mar the surface of polycarbonate, and because it does not absorb moisture, the surface is easily sanitized for food and medical applications.
Another benefit of polycarbonate is its insulating properties. It insulates better than glass, and thus when used for building purposes it can lower energy costs. Because it's transparent, polycarbonate can be used in applications where glass is also used, like glazing security lights or covering skylights.