Plastic machine guards: PC, PMMA or PETG?
When it comes to plastic machine guards, there are several options to choose from. We offer a wide range of transparent plastics that can be used for machine guards, such as PC, PMMA and PETG. But which material is best suited to your particular project? In this article, we compare these three materials and discuss their properties and areas of application.
PC: Highest impact resistance
PC, or polycarbonate, is a material with very high impact resistance that is often used for machine guards. It has high impact toughness and can withstand heavy impacts without breaking. PC is also relatively affordable and easy to machine, making it a popular choice for many applications. However, PC also has certain drawbacks, such as low scratch resistance and a tendency to yellow over time.
How much impact resistance do you actually need? If you need a material that can withstand very heavy impacts, PC is a good choice. But if you only need protection against lighter impacts, PMMA or PETG may be better alternatives.
PMMA: Maximum transparency
PMMA, or polymethyl methacrylate, is known for its high transparency and optical quality. It is often used in applications where visibility is important, such as display windows and light guides. PMMA is relatively easy to process and can be moulded into complex shapes. However, PMMA has lower impact resistance and is more susceptible to scratches.
How important is transparency to you? If you need a material that is extremely clear and optically pure, PMMA is a good choice. If you can accept a lower level of transparency, PC or PETG may be better alternatives.
PETG: Best chemical resistance
PETG, or polyethylene terephthalate glycol, is known for its good chemical resistance. It is often used in environments where materials are exposed to chemicals and cleaning agents, such as in laboratory settings and the process industries. PETG is also relatively easy to machine and can be moulded into complex shapes. However, PETG has lower impact strength and is more susceptible to UV light.
How important is chemical resistance to you? If you need a material that can withstand strong chemicals, PETG is a good choice. If you only need protection against milder chemicals, PC or PMMA may be better alternatives.
Thickness recommendations
When it comes to the thickness of machine guards, it is important to choose the correct thickness for the material. A thickness that is too thin can make the material too weak and risk breakage upon impact or shock. A thickness that is too thick can make the material unnecessarily heavy and difficult to machine. We generally recommend the following thicknesses: 3 to 5 mm for PC, 2 to 4 mm for PMMA and 2 to 3 mm for PETG. Please note that these are general recommendations and that the optimal thickness for your project may vary depending on specific requirements.
Safety standards
When using machine guards, it is important to comply with the relevant safety standards to ensure that the material meets the requirements for your specific application. We comply with all relevant safety standards for our materials, including CE marking and RoHS compliance.
Are you unsure which safety standards apply to your application? Please feel free to contact us for advice and guidance.
The choice of material for machine guards depends on several factors, including impact resistance, transparency, chemical resistance and thickness. We hope this article has given you a better understanding of the properties and applications of PC, PMMA and PETG. Do you have any further questions or need help choosing the right material for your project? Please feel free to contact us for more information and personalised advice.
Plastic Machine Guards: PC, PMMA, or PETG?