Choosing Lexan or Plexiglass for your Aircraft

Автокөліктер мен көлік құралдары

This short video reviews the differences in properties between the two popular plastics used for windshields and doors in experimental aircraft: Lexan (polycarbonate) and Plexiglass (acrylic).

Пікірлер: 186

  • @itdly
    @itdly4 жыл бұрын

    Excellent presentation. The explanations are brief, accurate and very useful. The guy is a natural pedagogue!

  • @keith488
    @keith4883 жыл бұрын

    I found this video to be very informative. The gentleman spoke Claire And slow enough to understand him. The give me every answer I could have possibly have thought of to ask. Well done my friend

  • @lmc333
    @lmc3335 жыл бұрын

    This is one clear and definitive video on this topic... THANK YOU very much. This is awesome!

  • @preguntaleacharly7319
    @preguntaleacharly73193 жыл бұрын

    Thank you very much for your advice. The example of the fold was very clear.

  • @kindsofpcsheetsandacrylics1435
    @kindsofpcsheetsandacrylics14353 жыл бұрын

    well done! I'm glad that we are in the same industry. Our company also has many kinds of acrylic sheets and polycarbonate sheets.

  • @evopwrmods
    @evopwrmods5 жыл бұрын

    You can Glue Acrylic to each other with Acetone. Apply the acetone to an edge and then press/ clamp to a flat acrylic surface for it to Bond to each other.

  • @Eduardo_Espinoza

    @Eduardo_Espinoza

    7 ай бұрын

    smart tnx :)

  • @MarkBaldridge
    @MarkBaldridge6 жыл бұрын

    This is a great little video! Thank you! And well done!

  • @williamsmith8857
    @williamsmith88572 жыл бұрын

    You mention that polycarbonate scratches easily, and that scratches cannot be sanded or buffed out. True... BUT... There is a fast, easy way to remove scratches from polycarbonate. Simply play a loose flame from a propane torch gently over the scratched area. They will disappear like magic!

  • @Eduardo_Espinoza

    @Eduardo_Espinoza

    7 ай бұрын

    safety glasses r polycarbonate idk how they get the scratches out

  • @JohnBaileyDarke
    @JohnBaileyDarke2 жыл бұрын

    Such great and instructional videos. Finally used the KZread setting of speeding up to 150% speed as you normally talk quite slowly. Works for me. Keep up the videos...

  • @p.kuansuwan2070
    @p.kuansuwan20702 жыл бұрын

    Perfect. Very well explained, thank you!

  • @rmhutchins7
    @rmhutchins76 жыл бұрын

    I enjoyed your video. It was very helpful. Thank you!

  • @Afrocanuk
    @Afrocanuk4 жыл бұрын

    Very well explained comparison.

  • @gljim5908
    @gljim59084 жыл бұрын

    I wish I could give you an idea of how much your videos have helped me. I bought a used Kitfox, this is my first airplane ever, the airplane has not flown for the last 15 years and I have used so many of your videos as home build school for me. I bought lexan that is guaranteed not to go yellow for 10 years.

  • @gundamepyon241
    @gundamepyon2415 жыл бұрын

    THANK YOU SO MUCH SIR.... You are helping much for my report study

  • @brunotulliani7483
    @brunotulliani74835 жыл бұрын

    Thank-you for a nice video and the info will help me in my decision.

  • @onewithall7618
    @onewithall76186 жыл бұрын

    Thx your video help me choose and know the difference

  • @robertlafnear4865
    @robertlafnear48654 жыл бұрын

    TRENT, HAVE A GREAT CHRISTMAS & NEW YEAR ......Fly Safe. See ya at the races next year.

  • @Dino20008
    @Dino200083 жыл бұрын

    Great video and explanation for a student in aviation

  • @MURUR1025
    @MURUR10254 жыл бұрын

    Great narration delivery.

  • @David-pk9be
    @David-pk9be3 жыл бұрын

    The Graduate! Great reference to us old enough to know it.

  • @rubypereira7212
    @rubypereira72125 жыл бұрын

    Very informative thank yoi for sharing this video

  • @robertschulke1596
    @robertschulke15964 жыл бұрын

    In the marine environment, polycarbonate has been found to become. Brittle after a few years of constant UV exposure, making it more fragile than acrylic. Many use thicker acrylic.

  • @CHIBA280CRV
    @CHIBA280CRV3 жыл бұрын

    Very informative video thanks 👍

  • @omar0xc
    @omar0xc5 жыл бұрын

    Thank you

  • @hucknbarry3496
    @hucknbarry34964 жыл бұрын

    Saved for future reference. I need to bend for 59 boat cuddy window and will be referring to this most informative video later. Cheers.

  • @sabercruiser.7053
    @sabercruiser.70534 жыл бұрын

    THANK YOU SIR .

  • @RezaRob3
    @RezaRob32 жыл бұрын

    "There is a future in plastics, somebody used to say," indeed! 🙂

  • @rjminton534
    @rjminton5343 жыл бұрын

    Thank you for your video

  • @1sinister80
    @1sinister805 жыл бұрын

    Thank you I am building an arcade cabinet you saved me a head ache I'm going with polycarbonate.

  • @MrGian91
    @MrGian915 жыл бұрын

    3:30 This is actually wrong, the fact that polycarbonate didn't break means that it's less brittle NOT that it is stronger. Acrylic has higher tensile, compressive and flexural strength.

  • @irestrepo2788

    @irestrepo2788

    3 жыл бұрын

    I was thinking the same thing. I don't believe most people understand even simple basics about engineering. And when it comes to placing yourself 12,000 feet AGL? That is kind of scary.

  • @stolaircraftsuyanto9728
    @stolaircraftsuyanto97282 жыл бұрын

    Nice video 👏👏👏

  • @DTT420
    @DTT4207 жыл бұрын

    The problem with the door is its lack of rigidity. It broke because of all the stress on the acrylic. Vibration is also a big factor in the cause of cracks in brittle materials.

  • @christianfrank8131
    @christianfrank81313 жыл бұрын

    Thank you so much

  • @DmenDuroRider
    @DmenDuroRider5 жыл бұрын

    This guy is cool he has stewie on his plane. Good info I'm going with lexan for my adv bike windshield because it won't shatter in my face when I go down.

  • @EnchantedSmellyWolf
    @EnchantedSmellyWolf4 жыл бұрын

    This will go well in my car. With such flex it can prevent people from breaking in. Also nice Stewie decal. Haha!

  • @MrDR1STEVE
    @MrDR1STEVE7 жыл бұрын

    Quick note to try on your scratched Lexan. Lexan is a material that like to return to its original condition. Take a heat gun and heat the scratched area, starting with a low setting. Slowly bring your heat up until the scratched surface returns to its original condition. This method often restores light scratches to an un-noticeable condition. Give it a try on some negligible area. It really works.

  • @HomebuiltHELP

    @HomebuiltHELP

    7 жыл бұрын

    Interesting! Thanks for tip!

  • @kenweldsit

    @kenweldsit

    6 жыл бұрын

    Steven Smith

  • @Bluntedco.
    @Bluntedco.5 жыл бұрын

    this was very informative!

  • @JinzoCrash
    @JinzoCrash4 жыл бұрын

    Was debating on Lexan or Acrylic to make Arcade 1up marquee customs. I like that Lexan is forgiving in cutting, but Acrylic seems to be the winner.

  • @tinolino58
    @tinolino583 жыл бұрын

    I had a heffty birdstrike at 150 Kts with a Mooney. It was SHOKING! The BUBBLE type design enhances the strength of the plexiglas.

  • @jackhandy3776
    @jackhandy3776 Жыл бұрын

    great info thx....

  • @gipsymoth2
    @gipsymoth25 жыл бұрын

    Excellent presentation, there is also a problem with forming lexan to make windshields and formed door windows. Could you please mention the problems with heating lexan to form on molds. Thank you.

  • @bryanreeme8584
    @bryanreeme85845 жыл бұрын

    An additional consideration can be heat expansion. Those panels will change size with the temperature. One material is more stable, sorry can't remember which (plexi I think?).. This can cause problems with frames, fasteners, seals, etc

  • @markh7288
    @markh72884 жыл бұрын

    What we need is a hybrid of both. I know of a situation of a pilot having his windshield shatter without warning. He got down safely, although he did sustain some scratches to his face. Imagine if a bird flew into it, it might not have ended the same way. What would be best would be to get some sort of laminate that could offer the best of both, particularly for the windscreen.

  • @AdmiralRustyShackleford

    @AdmiralRustyShackleford

    Жыл бұрын

    I imagine somewhere there's a laminate solution for a windshield, such as a piece of poly sandwiched between layers of acrylic to give it rigidity and strength. If something were to hit it, the poly keeps it from shattering and you can safely land (or stop in the case of a land vehicle). Then if possible replace the outer layer or replace the entire windshield. The outer layers would not only keep it rigid but also keep it from scratching and hopefully keeping it from yellowing/fogging which is common on poly windows in race cars.

  • @j.koptics1679
    @j.koptics16792 жыл бұрын

    Amazing!

  • @linindas509
    @linindas5094 жыл бұрын

    Thanks

  • @ianmangham4570
    @ianmangham4570 Жыл бұрын

    The Sound Of Silence/Mrs Robinson "There's a future's in plastics"

  • @sms9106
    @sms910611 ай бұрын

    Good info

  • @flytoday
    @flytoday7 жыл бұрын

    you can restore PC with paint swirl removers. PC is also hygroscopic so it absorbs dirt with that moisture

  • @daisyliu3951

    @daisyliu3951

    6 жыл бұрын

    this is a good point !

  • @Wuety06
    @Wuety066 жыл бұрын

    @1:30 ..yep already know acrylic isn't gonna go down like that lol. Cutting acrylic isn't as hard as u make it out to be. I use a miter saw or a table saw with a 80tooth 10inch 30dillar blade from harbor freight. Also I believe bullet proof glass tends to sandwich poly between acrylic.

  • @urbanthedk4653
    @urbanthedk46534 жыл бұрын

    Here i am watching how to build yourself a plane and I cant even afford to pay this months rent -.-

  • @drj8994

    @drj8994

    3 жыл бұрын

    ain't-it-mann

  • @jayycolee1566

    @jayycolee1566

    Жыл бұрын

    🤭🤭😅🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

  • @kashikhan7265
    @kashikhan72654 жыл бұрын

    Sir Nice To Know About Polycarbonate And Acrylic

  • @mfsolutions
    @mfsolutions2 жыл бұрын

    Great video but as mentioned below the properties listed under "Strength" are not strength. Strength = allowable stress which in tension or shear is simply force /area, bending is more complex ( stress =My/I) but for the same bender and same thickness of material, strength reduces to the ability to resist force. So if the Lexan bends before the acrylic under the same force then the yield strength of the acrylic is higher. The property you want to explore here is "toughness" or the ability of a material to absorb energy up to fracture (= the area under the stress-strain curve).

  • @drj8994
    @drj89943 жыл бұрын

    thanx bro

  • @RichardHoltVen
    @RichardHoltVen5 жыл бұрын

    I remember the quote about plastic from 'The Graduate' in 1967.

  • @maxlever9196

    @maxlever9196

    5 жыл бұрын

    Also in "It's a Wonderful Life", 1946.

  • @glendooer6211

    @glendooer6211

    4 жыл бұрын

    We should have raced and go started..instead of looking at boobs.

  • @redmetalicrobotdemon6409
    @redmetalicrobotdemon64096 жыл бұрын

    if you slightly heat the acrylic at the drill spot it will drill better. (little heat gun)

  • @wiredcoati

    @wiredcoati

    5 жыл бұрын

    When I worked with acrylic, I used to run the drill backwards, heating it up as it worked the bit through it, never lost a piece to cracking from that.

  • @lisacarey4951

    @lisacarey4951

    5 жыл бұрын

    watch a fire video of the difference between acrylic and polycarbonate. Plexiglass/acrylic is ridiculously flammable and keeps on burning and dripping flaming pieces long after the flames have stopped igniting it. It should be banned!!!

  • @neilhathaway7051
    @neilhathaway7051 Жыл бұрын

    Great video, what's a common thickness for a front windshield for a homebuilt aircraft?

  • @yellowhammer4747
    @yellowhammer47475 жыл бұрын

    ANOTHER GOODUN JON! THANKS SO MUCH FOR STAMPING OUT MY IGNORANCE!

  • @Medievalfan94
    @Medievalfan946 жыл бұрын

    I want to try to build my own DIY e cymbals. I was thinking about vaccum forming them from real cymbals. At first I thought about acrylic glas, because it is nice and rigid and so on, but I have not thought about it shattering so easily. I do not want it to crack on the first hit. Do you think polycarbonate would do better here? I would glue on some rubber padding to the beat zone and edge to protect it from scratches and silence it a bit more. Can you glue polycarbonate or will it make it brittle?

  • @rmpitton
    @rmpitton3 жыл бұрын

    Very helpful video. Can I use polycarbonate as a cover for my awning? And where can I purchase in NYC? TY

  • @angeloc3842
    @angeloc38424 жыл бұрын

    Good video but can you mold poly carbonate using heat like acrylic?

  • @foesfly3047
    @foesfly3047 Жыл бұрын

    I’m wondering which is the better candidate for thermoforming- especially compound curved under vacuum. I’m sure I can find that somewhere though.

  • @Arcona
    @Arcona5 жыл бұрын

    8:05 You hear a windows noise, probably it's reaction to seeing another kind of window being broken :p Nice vid by the way, very informative.

  • @kentvandervelden

    @kentvandervelden

    3 жыл бұрын

    Good ears! I had to really turn up the speaker to hear that :)

  • @gabedaxe477
    @gabedaxe477 Жыл бұрын

    5:42 what special coating can I use? I’m from Florida and the UV and the heat is causing struggle on my project , what do you recommend? Great video by the way

  • @aggibson74
    @aggibson743 жыл бұрын

    Is there a protective film you can put over lexan to help with scratch, UV and chemical resistance?

  • @ivansbacon
    @ivansbacon6 ай бұрын

    I expected an answer to the choice for one type on the windshield and the other on the door.

  • @BetterAircraftFabric
    @BetterAircraftFabric7 жыл бұрын

    Well, a good video as always, Appreciated ! - But I wish you would mention that there is a distinct difference in the optical properties between the two materials. I have had Lexan in side-windows that are not very important and its ok there but I would not want to use Lexan as a Windshield in my planes because of the lousy optical properties of it. Plexiglass for the windshield for sure on my stuff. Best Regards, Lars

  • @HomebuiltHELP

    @HomebuiltHELP

    7 жыл бұрын

    Good point! Thanks

  • @JohnF732

    @JohnF732

    7 жыл бұрын

    Good video, but a quick off-topic note on the broken door... I had identical well-fitted CH701 pilot-side doors open in flight and break at speeds under Vne. Root cause was prop wash getting under bottom-front corner of the door and bending it back till it fractured during a powered (but sub Vne) descent. Neither latch point failed, only the door. Solution is a third latch point at lower front of door on pilot side to ensure -zero- gap for prop wash to get under.

  • @daisyliu3951

    @daisyliu3951

    6 жыл бұрын

    yes, this is a point. but I am afraid acrylic is a little bit fragile especially at 2mm,3mm thickness. polycarbonate almost meet the same optical properties with acrylic at thses thickness. best reagrds,Daisy

  • @surendersingal2192
    @surendersingal2192 Жыл бұрын

    Thank you sir Awesome explanation with clarity. Should safety not win n be 1st consideration over price when building plexiglass or lexan usable items ( not toys or other one time use lab flasks etc).? Also can both plastics be not overlaid to get all properties? Good day

  • @lasaraungbakri7386
    @lasaraungbakri73863 жыл бұрын

    Can we cover the lexan with clear tape to protect it from chemicals, scratches, and UV?

  • @z1522
    @z15224 жыл бұрын

    Other variations of Lexan suffer from exposure to ozone and also ammonia, which makes many ordinary window cleaners very bad, especially if you are cleaning home plastic window block inserts, or worse, an airplane windscreen, where micro stress fracturing can go unnoticed until a stress event causes failure that the original would not have experienced. Military aircraft may use advanced Lexan type polycarbonates for their vastly superior strength, but likely with additives and coatings that add too much cost for civilians to consider; they can also probably enforce stricter maintenance protocols to avoid problematic chemicals that civilians will fail to recognize, and when that item needs replacing, we civilians pay for it, as well, anyhow. Lexan can have scratches polished out - but that removes the UV protective and anti-scratch coatings. Low speed aircraft may not be at high risk from bird strikes, etc. and so acrylic is the accepted trade-off, but above a few hundred miles per hour, you don't want an acrylic windshield between your cockpit and the stray goose. For hobbyists, Lexan can be more aggravating to work with, as many glues don't bond it as easily as acrylic; regular plexiglass can be heated, molded, bent, and polished to a glassy sheen, with only cutting and drilling issues to consider, but solvent welding and many other gluing options make for easy craft uses that don't require bulletproof shields.

  • @ThereIsNoGodOnlyUs

    @ThereIsNoGodOnlyUs

    4 жыл бұрын

    Actually, there are many examples of uv/ scratch resistant coated polycarbonate that lasts great and ate around the same as a regular automotive safety glass. In order to protect the uv protected polycarbonate and maintain upkeep, using a ppf covering works wonders and there's reason it can't hold up well

  • @soundtechiesevents9043
    @soundtechiesevents90437 жыл бұрын

    Hi... I want to built my own led dance floor.. which one is best polycarbonate or acrylic... Could u help me?

  • @rcbif101
    @rcbif1014 жыл бұрын

    That's weird. I hear plenty warn of fuel issues with polycarb, but on McMasterCarrs website says for their "Clear Impact-Resistant Polycarbonate" that it has excellant chemical resistance to Bleach, Diesel Fuel, Gasoline, Hydrogen Peroxide, Isopropyl Alcohol, Phosphoric Acid, Water. Unless they only mean that stuff wont destroy it, but could still alter the quality.

  • @supermoon1430
    @supermoon14305 жыл бұрын

    Can acrylic be used for a cutting board

  • @martinjrichter55
    @martinjrichter552 жыл бұрын

    Considering bird strikes or FOD, which can with stand the impact for say a 125 kn impact?

  • @ianmangham4570
    @ianmangham4570 Жыл бұрын

    Lexan 4 life 🤘🙏

  • @mehdielmazouni6604
    @mehdielmazouni66044 жыл бұрын

    I want to know please, how can formed a piece made of polycarbonate using pellet

  • @Hundert1
    @Hundert17 ай бұрын

    Which has better insulation properties from the cold? Which is better for using to replace my household window with? I had 1/2" thick dual pane Andersen window. Thanks

  • @00HiGhGuY00
    @00HiGhGuY004 жыл бұрын

    What about a window/canopy made out of ALON "transparent aluminum"

  • @wickedprotos1937
    @wickedprotos193711 ай бұрын

    I did not know you could bend Polycarbonite in a metal bender like that. Wow.

  • @xbeanx3000
    @xbeanx30006 жыл бұрын

    Does light transmission for Acrylic over 10+ years go down to 85% from 92% when it was new (if used outside), and if yes then why? One last question is I'm thinking of buying some 150 x 150 cm extruded acrylic to rest on top of 4 corner poles but don't want it to bend in the middle if it's too thin and when it snows (each pole will be 15 cm from the edge). What is the minimum thickness do you think I should use? Because every mm costs money I don't want more thickness than is needed.

  • @Eduardo_Espinoza
    @Eduardo_Espinoza7 ай бұрын

    how do they get the scratches outta safety glasses?

  • @michaeltucker8145
    @michaeltucker81456 жыл бұрын

    What about resistance to bird strikes? I would think that the acrylic (Plexiglas) would shatter and possibly injure the front seat occupants? Any comments on windshield impact damage?

  • @nunya___

    @nunya___

    5 жыл бұрын

    Outer layer acrylic, inner layer poly.

  • @aabb-zz9uw
    @aabb-zz9uw3 жыл бұрын

    As the windscreen has to be made of acryl because of fuel and uv, how about putting handphone gorilla glass on it to make it stronger?

  • @frankenstein3163
    @frankenstein31632 жыл бұрын

    I wat to make double wall acrylic similar to double wall POLYCARBONATE sheets. Do you think the double wall acrylic with have a better insulation property's that the double wall polycarbonate ? I'm attempting to make a glass studio/office.

  • @davidebrunetta5485
    @davidebrunetta54852 жыл бұрын

    Hi,.....how well does the Lexan deal with Bird strike.....?

  • @cohall46
    @cohall464 жыл бұрын

    What happens when a bird strikes a plexiglass airplane windshield in flight? Would it just bounce off if the Lexan but crack the plexiglass?

  • @luishnk3983
    @luishnk39833 жыл бұрын

    i want to building acrylic bolw forming for my rov but i have some problems

  • @LTVoyager
    @LTVoyager4 жыл бұрын

    That home builder got it exactly backwards. The windshield should have been polycarbonate and the doors acrylic. I’d much rather hit a bird with poly than with acrylic. And you can get hard coated polycarbonates that are quite scratch resistant for a long time.

  • @DJJ959
    @DJJ9593 жыл бұрын

    We're now playing a game of finding Stewie, good luck everyone.

  • @riesenfliegefly7139

    @riesenfliegefly7139

    3 жыл бұрын

    I saw him while I watched :D 2:00

  • @Vids599
    @Vids5995 жыл бұрын

    What about lexan over plexiglass keeps the service from scratching

  • @AccountingBBA
    @AccountingBBA4 жыл бұрын

    How can i get plexi glass from bangladesh?plz help me.

  • @hrench
    @hrench2 жыл бұрын

    Great vid. Plexiglas has one "s".

  • @backforblood3421
    @backforblood3421 Жыл бұрын

    Unlike polycarbonate, acrylic is not toxic as a solid.

  • @AzangBugs
    @AzangBugs6 жыл бұрын

    If you can envision an emergency situation where you might have to punch your way through it, your only answer is plexiglass.

  • @frostyandtheklutz1606
    @frostyandtheklutz16065 жыл бұрын

    I am researching to build a rally fairing for my enduro bike. Acryllic seems a clear cut winner except that it can shatter. I will drop my bike, it always happens at some point in enduro riding. Is there any way I could treat the acryllic to make it a bit more flexible? If not I'll have to go with Lexan I think.

  • @thepioneer6178

    @thepioneer6178

    5 жыл бұрын

    I would recommend using acrylic. It's cheap enough that when it breaks you can just get another one. Plus it wouldn't scratch as easily from dirt, rock, and limbs

  • @cricri7066
    @cricri70662 жыл бұрын

    What about PETG?

  • @lesterfalcon1350
    @lesterfalcon13503 жыл бұрын

    Set playback speed to 1.25 for normal speed.

  • @Arcona
    @Arcona5 жыл бұрын

    Why use acrylic at all on light aircraft? Surely the risk of vibrations and impacts cracking the whole thing is much worse than it tinting a bit over time but being incredibly solid with polycarb.

  • @PDZ1122

    @PDZ1122

    2 жыл бұрын

    I don't know why anyone would still use plexiglass, other than than their excessively anal A&P won't let them use something better on a certified aircraft. I detest acrylics. I worked in the eyeglass industry and polycarbonate lenses have nearly totally eliminated acrylic CR39 lenses. For good reason.

  • @kevinatspeed
    @kevinatspeed5 жыл бұрын

    so you stated that PC can be enhanced to manage it's poor performance when exposed to UV. What about the poor performance of acrylic when exposed to stress...how can acrylic be enhanced to manage its Achilles heel?

  • @LTVoyager
    @LTVoyager4 жыл бұрын

    BMW uses polycarbonate and is the only mainstream motorcycle maker that I know of who does so. Everyone else uses the much less expensive, but much less safe, acrylic material.

  • @theeabster1983
    @theeabster19833 жыл бұрын

    Seems like damned if you do the damned if you don't if you make your doors out of polycarbonate we're going to have to replace them due to the UV light from the sun. But not last chance of it breaking and cracking or virtually no chance of breaking and cracking. If you buy the stuff that has a UV coating on it and you get a deep scratch in it and send it out I guess you lose the coating that blocks the UV that's just a matter of time before it gets destroyed by the sun. Any idea how long it takes before the UV destroys the poly on average? Thank you for your time

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