Differences in the use of PMMA and PS and PC materials for diffusion plates

PMMA (polymethylmethacrylate), PS (polystyrene) and PC (polycarbonate) are three plastic materials commonly used to make light diffusion panels. They have different physical properties and optical properties, so choosing different materials in light diffusion applications can achieve different effects.

1.Polystyrene (PS)

Advantage：

1)Transparency: PS is a relatively transparent plastic with good light transmittance, which can maintain the brightness of the light source to a certain extent.

2)Cost: The production cost of PS is relatively low compared to some other plastic materials, making it an affordable option, especially in cost-sensitive applications.

3)Processing performance: PS has good processing performance, is easy to perform injection molding and other processing methods, and is suitable for large-scale production.

4)Lightweight: PS is a lightweight material that helps reduce the weight of the light diffusion board itself, making it easier to use in different applications.

5)Dyeability: PS can be dyed relatively easily, making it more flexible in design and able to meet some applications with special color requirements.

unadvantage：

1)Relatively poor diffusion performance: Compared with some other materials (such as PMMA), the diffusion performance of PS may be relatively poor. In order to achieve good light diffusion, it may need to be improved by adding special fillers or treating the surface.

2)Poor heat resistance: PS may deform at high temperatures and has relatively poor heat resistance. This limits its application in some high-temperature environments.

3)Low chemical stability: PS has low stability to some chemical substances and may be affected by chemical substances such as solvents, acids and alkalis.

4)Easy to scratch: The surface of PS is relatively easy to be scratched, and additional protective measures may be needed to ensure the appearance quality in long-term use.

5)Environmental issues: Some PS products may not be easily degraded, which may cause environmental concerns, especially in some application fields with high environmental requirements.

2.Polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA)

Advantage：

1)Transparency: PMMA is a highly transparent material that maintains a relatively high brightness when light passes through it, making it very popular in applications that require transparency.

2)Good diffusion: PMMA can achieve good light diffusion effect by introducing tiny particles on the surface or using special surface texture to ensure uniform light distribution.

3)Stable optical properties: PMMA has good optical properties, stable refractive index and transparency, which helps maintain the original color and brightness of the light source.

4)Weather resistance: Compared with some other plastic materials, PMMA has better weather resistance and is not easily affected by ultraviolet rays and other environmental factors.

5)Chemical stability: PMMA has high stability to some chemical substances and is not easily corroded by some solvents and acids and bases.

6)Lightweight: PMMA is a lightweight material that helps reduce the weight of the overall light diffusion panel. For some applications, lightweight performance is an advantage.

7)Easy to process: PMMA has good processing performance, is easy to cut, shape and process, and is suitable for a variety of manufacturing processes.

unadvantage：：

1)Relatively high price: Relative to some other plastic materials, PMMA has a higher production cost, which may be a consideration in some cost-sensitive applications.

2)Poor scratch resistance: The surface of PMMA is relatively soft and susceptible to scratches and abrasions, and additional surface treatment may be required to improve scratch resistance.

3)Relatively brittle: PMMA is relatively brittle. For some applications that require high impact resistance, additional designs or modifiers may be required.

4)Poor thermal stability: PMMA has relatively poor heat resistance and may deform in high temperature environments.

3.Polycarbonate (PC)

Advantage：

1)Strength and impact resistance: PC has high strength and impact resistance. Compared with some other plastics, PC is better able to withstand physical impact, making it suitable for some applications that require strength and impact resistance.

2)Transparency: PC is a transparent material that can maintain the transparency of light, making it perform well in some applications that require high transparency.

3)Thermal stability: Compared with some other plastic materials, PC has better high temperature resistance, is not prone to deformation, and is suitable for use in some high temperature environments.

4)UV resistance: PC has good UV resistance and can maintain optical performance for a long time in outdoor environments.

5)Processing performance: PC has good processing performance and is suitable for injection molding, extrusion, calendering and other processing methods, which is conducive to large-scale production.

6)Optical properties: PC has good optical properties, stable refractive index and transparency, which helps maintain the original color and brightness of the light source.

unadvantage：

1)Relatively poor diffusion: Compared with some other materials, the diffusion performance of PC may be poor. In some applications requiring good light diffusion, additional design or processing may be required.

2)Expensive: PC is more expensive to produce than some other plastics, which may be a consideration in some cost-sensitive applications.

3)Brittleness: Although PC has high strength, it may exhibit brittleness under certain conditions. For some applications that require higher toughness, careful consideration is required.

4) Easy to scratch: The surface of PC is relatively soft and susceptible to scratches and wear. Additional surface treatment may be required to improve scratch resistance.

Overall, selecting the appropriate material depends on the requirements of the specific application, including the need for transparency, diffusion properties, cost, and other physical properties. In practical applications, material selection and optimization usually need to be carried out according to specific circumstances.

The flame-retardant PC produced by Qingdao Mattel Plastic adopts an environmentally friendly flame-retardant system and is environmentally friendly; it can be customized as transparent flame-retardant PC, or flame-retardant PC with light effects such as light shading and light diffusion; it has good thermal stability, weather resistance, and is not easy to Yellowing; it can reduce the density of the material, thus saving costs; it is not easy to corrode the mold and reduces the frequency of mold cleaning; it has better electrical properties. Commonly used in electronics and electrical, automotive parts, 5G communications, new energy, digital equipment, etc. The specific properties and effects of light diffusing PC materials will vary depending on the manufacturer and specific formulation. Mattel Plastics can customize light-diffusion PC materials with different transmittances and hazes according to customer needs. It can also customize flame-retardant light-diffusion PC materials. The finished product has stable performance and is easy to process. It is currently a long-term supplier to manufacturers such as Siemens and Philips. .

If you have any needs related to light diffusion, please contact us.

Qingdao Primetech Plastic was established in 2007 and has 16 years of experience in the production of modified plastics, dyeing and color masterbatch. It focuses on one-to-one customized development and mature formulas to ensure that products can accurately match customer requirements. Including PC/ABS alloy, halogen-free flame-retardant engineering plastics, glass fiber reinforced modified materials, antistatic materials, medical grade color masterbatch, PET fiber grade color masterbatch, fully biodegradable plastics, ASA/PE wood-plastic co-extrusion materials, etc. If you have needs for light diffusion PC materials, please call us for consultation. You can also consult/leave messages online to communicate directly with customer service.