Polycarbonate (PC) Lighting Extrusion Profiles
PC extrusion for lighting covers, housings and fittings where impact strength and heat resistance decide the material.
Why this material is used in lighting
Polycarbonate is the material you specify when the profile can be hit. Acrylic transmits more light, but it cracks; PC absorbs the impact and keeps the fitting intact. That single property drives most PC specifications in lighting.
The second reason is temperature. PC carries a higher continuous service temperature than PMMA, which matters when the profile sits close to a high-power LED board or inside a sealed fitting that runs hot.
The cost is optical: PC transmits slightly less light than acrylic and standard grades weather less well. UV-stabilised grades close that gap, and co-extrusion lets us put a PMMA diffusing layer on a PC body when you need both.
Material properties that matter in a luminaire
| Impact resistance | Very high - the main reason to choose PC over PMMA |
|---|---|
| Heat resistance | Higher continuous service temperature than PMMA |
| Light transmittance | Slightly lower than PMMA; set to target with grade and surface |
| UV behaviour | Standard PC weathers less well; UV-stabilised grades available |
| Flame retardancy | FR grades available where the fitting specification requires it |
| Surface options | Clear, matte, frosted, embossed, prismatic |
| Colour | Clear, opal, or matched to RAL / Pantone |
| Process | Single-material and co-extrusion with PMMA |
Where it is used
- Industrial luminaires and warehouse fittings
- Tri-proof and sealed fittings
- Vandal-resistant and public-area luminaires
- Troffer housings and lens plates
- Transport and tunnel lighting
- Protective covers over LED boards
Design notes
- Specify UV-stabilised PC wherever the profile sees daylight
- Wall thickness is set by the impact requirement, not by cost
- PC is more sensitive to processing than PMMA - die design and cooling matter
- Co-extrusion with PMMA adds transmission without giving up impact strength
- FR grades should be specified early - they affect material availability and lead time
Products in this material
Frequently Asked Questions
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