Will Lexan Warp if Placed in Front of a Window?

Strength

• Typical items made from Lexan include eyeglass lenses, drinking bottles, computer cases -- and places where impact-resistant see-through material is important such as riot gear, auto head and tail lights, instrument panels and bullet-resistant glass. Many of these are in the sunlight daily without harm. The exception is when Lexan is used to make a compact disc or DVD. The material is thin enough so that if it is left on an auto dashboard -- where the temperatures can easily reach close to 200 degrees Fahrenheit in the full sun -- it might warp.

Benefits

• Lexan is superior to Plexiglass in many ways, but it also has some weaknesses. It is far stronger than glass, and is used in situations such as vehicles that need bullet-resistant glass. However, it scratches easier. Lexan costs two to three times more to use than Plexiglass, but is easier to work with, leaving less wasted material from breakage. A clear negative is that Plexiglass will never yellow with long-term exposure to the sun, but Lexan will.

Glazing

• Lexan is used to save on energy costs, as it has a higher insulation factor than glass. It is approved for all building applications in place of standard glass glazing. Lexan is available with 10-year warrantied special silicone coatings that resist abrasions and scratches. The basic sheets come with a three-year warranty against breakage. The plastic diffuses light a little more that Plexiglass or glass, which helps cut down on glare.

Other Names

• Special coatings are now available for polycarbonate, reducing its tendency to yellow or haze under direct sunlight. As of January 2011, the coating was not generally available for polycarbonate sheets under 1/8-inch thick. Other manufacturers make polycarbonate under trade names such as Makrolon and Hyzod. Its ease of cutting, ability to be shaped to any need and tensile strength guarantee that it will remain on the market for a long time.