Clear Polycarbonate Sheet
Maximum optical clarity with full impact strength — up to 90% light transmission at 3 mm.
Clear polycarbonate is the grade specified when the panel has to be invisible and unbreakable at the same time. At 3 mm it transmits up to 90% of visible light — close enough to glass that most people cannot tell without tapping it.
Clarity in polycarbonate is decided almost entirely by the resin. Recycled or reprocessed feedstock carries a faint yellow-grey cast that is obvious the moment two sheets are laid side by side. We extrude clear sheet only from virgin granules.
Specification
| Property | Specification |
|---|---|
| Light transmission | Up to 90% at 3 mm |
| Haze | Below 1% on standard clear grade |
| 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 |
| Raw material | Virgin polycarbonate granules from Covestro, SABIC or Mitsubishi Chemical — no recycled content |
| UV protection | Optional, one or both faces — required outdoors |
| Surface options | Standard, hard-coated, anti-fog |
| Ten-year performance | ≥ 85% light transmission retained (UV grade) |
Clear polycarbonate against clear acrylic
Both look clear. They fail in opposite ways, and that is what should decide the specification.
| Clear polycarbonate | Clear acrylic | |
|---|---|---|
| Light transmission | Up to 90% | Up to 92% |
| Impact | Deforms, recovers | Cracks |
| Surface hardness | Scratches easily unless coated | Noticeably harder |
| Cold | Stable to −40 °C | Brittle below 0 °C |
| Cost | Higher | Lower |
Short version: if it will be hit, use polycarbonate. If it will be looked at and cleaned, clear acrylic is cheaper and stays looking better for longer.
Typical applications
- Security and anti-vandal glazing
- Machine guards and inspection windows
- Display cases and protective screens
- Skylights and canopies (UV grade)
- Face shields and safety equipment
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
How clear is clear polycarbonate compared with glass?
Glass transmits about 90% of visible light at 3 mm; clear polycarbonate matches it at up to 90%. The visible difference in a finished installation is negligible, and polycarbonate does not shatter.
Will clear polycarbonate go yellow?
Untreated sheet will, outdoors, within two to three years. UV co-extruded sheet retains ≥ 85% light transmission after ten years. Always specify UV protection for external use.
Can you supply optical-grade clear sheet for lenses?
We extrude sheet, not cast optical blanks. For general glazing and guarding our clear grade is suitable; for precision optics you need a cast material.