Re: Lexan (polycarbonate)

["Tesla list" <tesla-at-pupman-dot-com>]

Original poster: "Jim Lux by way of Terry Fritz <twftesla-at-qwest-dot-net>" <jimlux-at-earthlink-dot-net>

Lexan (polycarbonate) and plexiglas( Acrylic) also behave very differently
when you try to scratch them, with e.g. a key.  Once you've tried
scratching both, it's easy to tell the difference.. the polycarbonate is
resilient and you have to bear down a lot more to really gouge it, but it
feels "soft", and is very easy to "scuff" (as with a scrubbing pad) .  The
acrylic is easy to put light scratches in...

A knife or razor blade is even more distinct...   

The two plastics have a different smell, if you cut them or sniff a
recently cut edge.

These kinds of things are handy when you're going through the bin of scraps
of mixed plastic.


Tesla list wrote:
> 
> Original poster: "Justin Hays by way of Terry Fritz <twftesla-at-qwest-dot-net>"
<pyrotrons2000-at-yahoo-dot-com>
> 
> Hi,
> 
> Lexan is not brittle at all.
> 
> Thick lexan is used for bulletproof enclosures...most gas stations in
> and around downtown Houston have 1" thick lexan boxes around the
> store clerk.
> 
> I have shot 1/2" lexan with a .22 rifle - instead of shattering, the
> bullet just sticks in the plastic. Amazing stuff.
> 
> A good test to discern between plexiglass or lexan, is to break off a
> small piece and use epoxy on it. After a day or two, epoxy will break
> loose from plexiglass.
> 
> I had a primary coil once, where I epoxied lexan supports onto a
> plexiglass baseplate. After a couple of weeks, the entire primary
> coil - supports and all - became separated. It was pretty funny.
> 
> Anyhow, epoxy will never come off of lexan after it has hardened.
> Makes things very strong, maybe even bulletproof!
> 
> Take care,
> 
> Justin Hays
> KC5PNP
> Email: justin-at-hvguy-dot-com
> Website: www.hvguy-dot-com
> 
> __________________________________________________