THINGS TO CONSIDER WHEN CHOOSING A THERMOPLASTIC

Will it be exposed to UV radiation?

Some thermoplastics are resistant to UV radiation and are thereforevery resistant to the damaging effects of the sun.

However, other thermoplastics such as Ampagard (polycarbonate) and polystyrene are attacked by UV radiation, resulting in discolouration/yellowing and weakening of the material to the point of product failure.

To remedy this, these thermoplastics can be co-extruded with a UV-protective layer (eg Ampagard) or stabilised with additives (eg ABS) to make them suitable for use in outdoor applications. Only polystyrene cannot be stabilised or co-extruded and as such is never recommended for outdoor use.

Is it expected to offer protection against UV radiation?

Acrilan (acrylic) sheeting may not itself be attacked by UV radiation, but it also offers no protection against UV radiation to other objects (such as furniture) that may be below it. (In fact, the reason Acrilan is not really damaged by UV radiation is because it transmits/allows through most of UV light, absorbing very little itself.)

Fortunately the level of UV protection offered by a thermoplastic sheet can be improved by adding an opaque or light-blocking tint to the sheet.

Will it be exposed to extreme temperatures?

The temperature range in which most plastics can operate is fairly narrow, especially when compared to materials such as steel or wood.

In cases where the material is likely to be routinely exposed to extreme temperatures, it is recommended to choose a product with a greater operational temperature range (such as Ampagard, which is rated for -50ºC to 180ºC), as opposed to a more temperature-sensitive product (such as polypropylene, which has a relatively narrow operating temperature range.

What other materials will it come into contact with?

Different types of thermoplastic sheeting offer different levels of resistance to different chemicals. When choosing a thermoplastic product, it is crucial to check its chemical compatibility with those materials/chemicals with which it will come into long-term contact in order to prevent premature product failure.

A table of chemical compatibility is available for each Ampa Plastics product in the Catalogue of products section (login required).