When selecting a solid transparent plastic sheet material, the range of options can be overwhelming, each offering different strengths, colours, textures, and more. Depending on your requirements, there's a suitable option for every project. But how do you decide which one to choose?
Flintec is a licensed supplier of Brett Martin products in New Zealand. Each material has unique strengths and properties. Let's explore when to use each one and when another material might be more appropriate.
Marlon FS Polycarbonate Sheet
Marlon FS polycarbonate is known for its exceptional technical performance. With immense strength and impact resistance—200 times stronger than glass and a "no break" rating in the Charpy impact test—this material is highly durable. Its optical clarity, excellent fire performance, and wide service temperature range (-20°C to +100°C) make it ideal for demanding applications.
Polycarbonate is commonly used in construction projects, but its high transparency and strength also suit safety and security applications such as riot shields, machine guards, protective screens, and ice hockey rink surrounds. Additionally, it is perfect for light fittings, signs, displays, or street furniture in areas prone to breakage or vandalism.
While very strong, polycarbonate has low scratch resistance, but an abrasion-resistant version of Marlon is available. For external use, a UV-resistant version is also offered. Marlon FS BioPlus, a more sustainable version made from bio-circular resin, reduces fossil fuel usage and carbon emissions.
Overall, Marlon is best for products, projects, signage, and displays requiring high impact resistance, technical performance, and transparency.
Marpet-g FS PETg Sheet
Marpet-g FS offers creativity and flexibility, making it a versatile choice for products, components, signage, and retail displays. Though its impact resistance is not as high as polycarbonate, it is 60 times stronger than glass and has a "no break" rating in the Charpy test. This durability makes it a good alternative to acrylic, which can be fragile.
Marpet-g FS's excellent malleability allows it to be easily bent, shaped, and formed, making it ideal for complex shapes in plastic products, components, and displays. It processes faster than other transparent plastic sheets, saving time, energy, and money. It can be printed without a primer, doesn't need pre-drying before thermoforming, and can be thermoformed at lower temperatures.
Its fire certification allows indoor use, while a UV-resistant option enables outdoor applications. Marpet is highly competitive in price compared to other clear sheet products with similar performance. The Marpet-g FS Eco option, containing over 50% reclaimed material, helps meet sustainability goals.
For unique, creative, and attractive applications, Marpet is an excellent choice.
Marcryl FS Acrylic Sheet
Marcryl FS acrylic sheet offers a visually appealing product but is more brittle and prone to breakage compared to polycarbonate or PETg. It is chosen when the final appearance of the product is prioritized over robustness.
Marcryl FS looks similar to glass but is only half the weight. It has a high gloss finish, good optical clarity, very high light transmission (92% for 3mm), and excellent natural weatherability. The material's gloss and shine create visually stunning effects, making it ideal for interior design, POS, and display applications.
Marcryl FS Eco, which contains over 50% reclaimed material, is also available. While perfect for impressive designs, it lacks the impact resistance needed for rough environments. For similar appearance but added robustness, Marpet PETg is a better choice.
Conclusion
Polycarbonate, PETg, or acrylic—each offers unique traits for various applications. Flintec, as a licensed supplier of Brett Martin products in New Zealand, provides these high-quality materials to meet your specific needs in signage and display materials. Which will you pick?
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