1/2" Lexan or 3/4" plexi?

[IonSQL 10+ year member]

OK plexiglass experts, building a new box that is going to have a pair of 9"x12" windows in it....

I know that lexan is stronger than plexi, but this is a pretty small area so I don't think it will matter too much.

The thickest lexan that estreetplastics carries is 1/2"

http://www.estreetplastics.com/1_2_x_9_x_12_Clear_Polycarbonate_Lexan_Sheet_p/3003025100.htm

But they do carry 3/4" (and even 1") plexi...

http://www.estreetplastics.com/3_4_x_9_x_12_Clear_Acrylic_Plexiglass_Sheet_p/1004025100.htm

They're pretty much the same price, so my question is which will be better for this application? The box will be a 4th order BP for 4 8's with a total of 1200w.

Thanks in advance!

Click to read more...

 

[PowerNaudio 10+ year member]

are you going to make the window the size of the stock plexy or lexan or are you going to cut it down to a diffrent size?

 

[9512ds 5,000+ posts]

the post says 2 9x12 windows...

and the pieces of plexi are both 9x12...

i would say they are going to stay the size he recieves them as

 

[IonSQL 10+ year member]

Yeah, I'm using 2 separate windows, each the 9x12 size that I will be purchasing. The viewable will only be like 7.5x10.5 or something like that after the mounting flange is taken into account though.

And the 2 windows will not be touching, they will be on the same plane as each other, but will be separated by 10" or so

 

[IonSQL 10+ year member]

Dunno how easily lexan stratches but plexi scratches pretty easily

Yeah, I've heard that too, which is another reason I was leaning towards the lexan

 

[ramos 5,000+ posts]

Lexan will scratch too . The windows aren't too big , so either would work . And any strength difference with the lexan is gonna be negated my the extra thickness of the plexi //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/smile.gif.1ebc41e1811405b213edfc4622c41e27.gif

 

[80INCHES 5,000+ posts]

u can actually get away with 1/2 inch lexan or plexi

but the pressure thats going to be built in those sealed chambers i would do lexan cuz its stronger and dont flex like plexi

80

i seen the sketchup of this box ionsql is talking about...it looks pretty:yumyum:

 

[IonSQL 10+ year member]

Thanks 80 //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/smile.gif.1ebc41e1811405b213edfc4622c41e27.gif

If I could find 3/4" lexan at those prices (less than $20/sheet) there wouldn't be a choice... anybody know where I can get it? //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/smile.gif.1ebc41e1811405b213edfc4622c41e27.gif

 

[80INCHES 5,000+ posts]

Thanks 80 //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/smile.gif.1ebc41e1811405b213edfc4622c41e27.gif
If I could find 3/4" lexan at those prices (less than $20/sheet) there wouldn't be a choice... anybody know where I can get it? //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/smile.gif.1ebc41e1811405b213edfc4622c41e27.gif

no problem

if u do 3/4'' u might as well go with the plexi.....its 12 and change u cant beat that unless its free

80

 

[IonSQL 10+ year member]

no problemif u do 3/4'' u might as well go with the plexi.....its 12 and change u cant beat that unless its free

80

I could actually get away with using the 1" and not have any problems.... perhaps that's the direction I should be looking? It's still only $15.something....

 

[helotaxi 5,000+ posts]

There is much more pressure in a ported enclosure...

Lexan won't break as easily as acrylic, it flexs instead. Rigidity is what you are looking for in an enclosure material, not all out strength. Steel is stronger than MDF but it isn't as rigid and makes a sucky enclosure material as a result.

To answer your scratching question...Lexan scratches almost as easy as plexi. The point that makes plexi better in this respect is that you can fairly easily buff out scratches in plexi but scratched Lexan is never going to be the same again.

 

[80INCHES 5,000+ posts]

To answer your scratching question...Lexan scratches almost as easy as plexi. The point that makes plexi better in this respect is that you can fairly easily buff out scratches in plexi but scratched Lexan is never going to be the same again.

u r sooooooooooooooo right about that

scratched lexan sux

80

 

[blackonblacksls 10+ year member]

lexan flexes more than plexi. thats why it is considered stronger.

 

[blackonblacksls 10+ year member]

because of the fact that it is less rigid it will hold up to more abuse. thats the complete opposite of what you want in a box. go with plexi.

 

[IonSQL 10+ year member]

I'm think I'll just stick with the 3/4" plexi... thanks guys!