Acrylic VS Polycarbonate Light Diffuser - UVACRYLIC

16 Jun.,2025

 

Acrylic VS Polycarbonate Light Diffuser - UVACRYLIC

The LED diffuser is an optical device with light-scattering properties mounted in the direction of the light source. It smoothes the illumination and minimizes the sharpness of shadows. Diffusers ensure uniform illumination from light-emitting diodes (LEDs) and are thus an essential part of the overall lighting system.

XISHUN Acrylic Product Page

The global light diffusion materials market can be divided into polycarbonate (PC), acrylic, polypropylene, and other sheets based on product. Acrylic and polycarbonate plastics are often recommended for various applications where the material’s size, weight, and strength must be considered. While contrasting acrylic and polycarbonate lighting lenses, it’s necessary to consider the user’s strategic objectives.

But which one is the best? Here in this article, we will dig into which is superior and why.

What Is An Acrylic Diffuser?

Acrylic diffusers produce a soft lightning effect by regulating the brightness of harsh lighting. They can also help save energy by offering more even lighting, reducing the need for additional fixtures. Besides, they protect lighting fixtures from dust as well.

Bulk polymerization is the process by which acrylic plastic polymers are formed. Batch cell or continuous system processing is used to form the acrylic, depending on the thickness and shape required.

What Is A Polycarbonate Diffuser?

Polycarbonate Light Diffusers are made of polycarbonate plastic with thicknesses ranging from 0.06mm to 5mm. They are the right material for LED lights, DIY lights, Automotive Interior lights, HUDs, office lamps, kitchen lights, and fluorescent lights.

Bisphenol A (BPA) and Phosgene are used to make it. Polycarbonate can be made in a variety of ways, including by free radical polymerization. Polycarbonate has the benefit of being a thermoplastic, which means it can be molded while still hot. It can not quickly melt or be formed after it has cooled.

Acrylic Light Diffuser VS. polycarbonate Light Diffuser

Various LED manufacturers consider acrylic and polycarbonate (PC) to be suitable light diffusion materials. Because of their low absorption coefficient and design freedom, these two transparent and designable plastics are slowly replacing glass in LED applications.

Here to differentiate these two light diffusers, we will focus on the qualities of both diffusion materials.

Acrylic Light Diffuser

Polycarbonate Light Diffuser

Is Polycarbonate or Acrylic Stronger?

Polycarbonate is 250 times more impact-resistant than acrylic, which is just 17 times as strong as glass. Polycarbonate manages material tension more effectively and has higher impact resistance than acrylic because it is less rigid. You can purchase it with various levels of versatility.

Acrylic is more prone to chipping and is slightly more flammable than Polycarbonate, burning slowly and not suitable for use in areas where flames are present or possibly.

So Polycarbonate is much stronger. Therefore, most manufacturers of LED floodlights use them for diffuser panels.

What Material Is Best For Diffusing Light?

Obviously, the answer is acrylic. Because as compared to polycarbonate, acrylic has better optical properties. It has a strong light transmission, diffuses LED hot spots, and is simple to put together. Acrylic sheet is used in various lighting applications, including fixtures for commercial lighting, displays at the point of sale, and signs with backlighting. Most importantly, manufacturers like you prefer acrylic due to its optical properties at affordable pricing.

Which One Should You Choose?

A variety of materials can create light diffusers, but acrylic plastic is one of the best. Consider the following cases first:

For both cases, Acrylic light diffusers are the plastic material with the best light transmission capabilities. Besides, these diffusers soften the light emitted by your LED fixtures. So, there is no light-diffusing material that provides a cost-effective and straightforward solution like Acrylic.

Why Do We Recommend Acrylic For Your Light Diffuser?

There are numerous logical reasons why we recommend Acrylic diffusers for your light diffuser. Just dive into the following advantages:

Acrylic Is Cheap

Acrylic is less expensive than polycarbonate. Polycarbonate is typically 30-40% more costly than Acrylic, depending on the finished product and length.

Acrylic Is Durable

Acrylic plastic diffusers are mechanically robust, and well-made acrylic diffusers can survive several years of use. They are more resistant to cracking and can withstand more physical violence than polycarbonate and glass diffusers.

Acrylic Transmits More Light

All light diffusers reduce the amount of useful light emitted by an LED fixture. Polycarbonate or frosted glass diffusers will dramatically dim your lights. Acrylic plastic has a special structure that allows it to disperse light efficiently. It also reduces usable light levels to a minimum.

Acrylic Is Scratch Resistant

Acrylic plastic diffusers are often more scratch-resistant than other materials. Moreover, they will not discolor when exposed to direct sunlight, as polycarbonate plastic diffusers often do.

Acrylic Is Versatile

Acrylic plastic is a very flexible option if you need to make light diffusers with printed designs. It is also perfect to create a unique diffuser design for a hotel lobby or corporate conference center. You can easily create exquisite and stunning custom diffuser designs that will give your commercial space some serious visual flair.

Contact us to discuss your requirements of diffuser acrylic sheet. Our experienced sales team can help you identify the options that best suit your needs.

Final Word

Acrylic Diffuser Sheet/Diffused Plastic Sheet-J.K Plas.

KunXin Material specialize in Textured acrylic diffuser sheet separately, has been serving the lighting industry & decoration market for almost 10 years, products included: Acrylic diffuser sheet, Polycarbonate diffuser, PS diffuser, Acrylic textured/pattern plate, and optical PMMA & Polycarbonate sheet/film, it's widely used in Fluorescent light fixtures, Led panel light, Ceiling light & architectural applications and display panels, digital photo frames.

As an industry supplier and manufacturer of polycarbonate acrylic diffuser sheet products for decades, we understand the key concerns of manufacturers, wholesalers, retailers and users. Technology enables our sheets to achieve excellent light diffusion capabilities and very low light absorption for efficient light control in a variety of LED applications. Our acrylic diffuser sheet materials are easy to use, efficient and reliable. We have the industry's best infrastructure and network of retail locations to supply sign-grade polycarbonate acrylic diffuser sheets as early as possible. Our production and storage capacity supports our long-term supply consistency to manufacturing. Our experienced technical experts can help you select the right acrylic diffuser sheet material for your specific manufacturing process, electrical compliance, durability standards, temperature ranges and other specifications

We supply samples of acrylic diffuser sheets, and custom acrylic diffuser sheets, It usually takes 7 to 15 days after sample confirmation and receiving your advance payment. The specific delivery time depends on the items and the quantity of your order.

Diffused Plastic Sheet, also named polycarbonate diffuser sheet, made from light diffusing acrylic plastic, has the same strength and durability as regular Plexiglas sheets. This type of Diffused Plastic Sheet is lightweight, versatile, easy to work with and can be custom thermoformed into complex shapes, making it ideal for lighting applications. For any type of backlighting application, you need Diffused Plastic Sheet to help prevent hot spots and brightness fluctuations, so there is a wide range of applications for Diffused Plastic Sheet in both public transport and aerospace. High quality, J&K produces Diffused Plastic Sheet products with the largest range of options in terms of beam angle, haze, clarity and colour performance to provide the highest levels of efficiency. Light diffusing acrylic is available in a variety of sizes and colours for applications such as lighting fixtures, commercial lighting, wall lights, retail merchandise, menu boards, jewellery boxes, lenses and LED light diffusion. 

What are the characteristics of LED light diffuser?

Customizable with the widest range of options in beam angle, haze, clarity and color performance

Beautiful, different patterns, different textures of light diffusing panels can be selected

High impact strength.

Sheets can be thermoformed.

Ensure healthy and safe sustainable products

Antibacterial

scratch proof

What are the uses of LED light diffusers?

Excellent properties make sign-grade polycarbonate sheet the first choice for non-electrical signage, video screens, neon signage, digital billboards, channel lettering, LED signage, menu boards, and more. Ease of use and reduced cost are the driving forces behind the growing popularity of PC Lite LED light diffusers.

application

Flat and thermoformed logo faces

Channel letters in electronic signage

Channel letters in non-electrical signage

Minimal breakage during field use

high performance signage

The company is the world’s best colored mirror acrylic sheets supplier. We are your one-stop shop for all needs. Our staff are highly-specialized and will help you find the product you need.