<p>You're probably looking for acrylic.</p>

<p>Computer case manufacturers often use acrylic. For a recent example, the <a href="http://www.thermaltakeusa.com/products-model.aspx?id=C_00002732" rel="nofollow">Thermaltake core P5 atx</a> case uses acrylic. Also, according to <a href="http://www.hydrosight.com/acrylic-vs-polycarbonate-a-quantitative-and-qualitative-comparison/" rel="nofollow">this datasheet</a> acrylic has higher optical clarity than polycarbonate and can be restored to full clarity by polishing.</p>

<p>Also, acrylic sheets can be sourced easily, can be cut with a scorer, and are light and strong.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-10-25T17:32:50.117Z
Thanks.  That was my first choice, but I wanted to know if there were others.  The term "tempered glass" has also been used, so I wasn't sure.  Is Acrylic the best for this?
XaolingBao
CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-10-25T17:48:54.317Z
Tempered Glass refers to glass that's been processed in heat so that it breaks on inpact rather than shatters. It is also very hard. It's not especially easy to work with.  I'm not sure if you're asking if they're interchangeable - but they really aren't. Unless you have glass working or glass fitting tools, plastic (acrylic) is a lot easier to work with. YMMV, of course.
B. Wilson
CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-10-25T17:53:26.503Z
Oh, yeah I've heard of that before...  I guess I got confused with car windows and computer windows hahah.  I thought that I might have heard it used on computer side panels, but5 I could, again, be confused with something else.  So Acrylic is really what I want?  I heard that Acrylic is also interchangeable with the term "Plexiglass" or is that something else?  I think I read Plexiglass is a brand of Acrylic?
XaolingBao
CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-10-25T21:09:44.430Z
I think you're right - and wikipedia (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poly(methyl_methacrylate)) says you're right. Cool! _I_ learned something new, too.
B. Wilson
CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-10-26T02:38:21.950Z
I think I read there are many names.
XaolingBao
CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-10-24T21:33:34.570Z
2016-10-24T21:33:34.570Z
B. Wilson
<p>As far as clear plastics are concerned the only plastics that you can go for are acrylic plastics. They come in wide variety of colors as well as thickness and can be opaque or transparent. </p>

<p>You can easily purchase them from the market. They are available in rod, sheets, and tube. They are quite strong and even stable in sunlight. So, as per your requirements, they are the best ones to go for.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-10-26T13:07:56.110Z
2016-10-26T13:07:56.110Z
Harshit Jain
<p>I am looking for brands/types of plastic that are more "clear" than others.  I am not sure if there are any differences between types i.e., acrylic, plexiglass, etc, but I would assume that some are more suited for certain situations, and are made in certain ways, with certain materials.  </p>

<p>I am essentially looking to replace a couple of computer "side panels" so I would like materials that are very clear, and wont get beat up i.e., scratches and smudges such as one review I had read on Amazon that claimed their "Lexan" was full of non-removable smudges which sounds like a defect to me.</p>

<p>Thank you.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-10-11T18:18:08.430Z
Is there a situation in which you would like to use the plastic? Expanding on what you are looking for might result in better responses. For example, do you need to be able to cut it to put into frames? Will you paint on it to make a stain glass effect? ect.
EmRoBeau
CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-10-11T20:44:37.873Z
Looking for a computer side panel replacement.  The only thing is maybe bending, maybe cutting or drilling to fit into my current side panel.  Thank you.
XaolingBao
CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-10-12T20:19:57.140Z
yes sir/maam @CreationEdge I want something that will be crystal clear and hopefully wont smudge.  I had read a review on I think a piece of "Lexan" on Amazon where the user had got a piece that was smudged and couldn't remove it... I'm assuming that smudges could be removed, unless it's a physical defect in the plastic i.e., air bubbles or other defects.
XaolingBao
<plastic><acrylic-glass>
Are there specific types of plastic that are more "Clear" than others?
XaolingBao
# Are there specific types of plastic that are more "Clear" than others?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2016-10-11)

I am looking for brands/types of plastic that are more "clear" than others. I am not sure if there are any differences between types i.e., acrylic, plexiglass, etc, but I would assume that some are more suited for certain situations, and are made in certain ways, with certain materials.

I am essentially looking to replace a couple of computer "side panels" so I would like materials that are very clear, and wont get beat up i.e., scratches and smudges such as one review I had read on Amazon that claimed their "Lexan" was full of non-removable smudges which sounds like a defect to me.

Thank you.

**Tags:** plastic, acrylic-glass

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: Is there a situation in which you would like to use the plastic? Expanding on what you are looking for might result in better responses. For example, do you need to be able to cut it to put into frames? Will you paint on it to make a stain glass effect? ect.  
> **username_0**: Looking for a computer side panel replacement.  The only thing is maybe bending, maybe cutting or drilling to fit into my current side panel.  Thank you.  
> **username_0**: yes sir/maam @CreationEdge I want something that will be crystal clear and hopefully wont smudge.  I had read a review on I think a piece of "Lexan" on Amazon where the user had got a piece that was smudged and couldn't remove it... I'm assuming that smudges could be removed, unless it's a physical defect in the plastic i.e., air bubbles or other defects.  

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## 2 answers

### Answer by username_2 on 2016-10-24. Score: 4

You're probably looking for acrylic.

Computer case manufacturers often use acrylic. For a recent example, the [Thermaltake core P5 atx](http://www.thermaltakeusa.com/products-model.aspx?id=C_00002732) case uses acrylic. Also, according to [this datasheet](http://www.hydrosight.com/acrylic-vs-polycarbonate-a-quantitative-and-qualitative-comparison/) acrylic has higher optical clarity than polycarbonate and can be restored to full clarity by polishing.

Also, acrylic sheets can be sourced easily, can be cut with a scorer, and are light and strong.

> **Comments:**
> **username_0**: Thanks.  That was my first choice, but I wanted to know if there were others.  The term "tempered glass" has also been used, so I wasn't sure.  Is Acrylic the best for this?  
> **username_2**: Tempered Glass refers to glass that's been processed in heat so that it breaks on inpact rather than shatters. It is also very hard. It's not especially easy to work with.  I'm not sure if you're asking if they're interchangeable - but they really aren't. Unless you have glass working or glass fitting tools, plastic (acrylic) is a lot easier to work with. YMMV, of course.  
> **username_0**: Oh, yeah I've heard of that before...  I guess I got confused with car windows and computer windows hahah.  I thought that I might have heard it used on computer side panels, but5 I could, again, be confused with something else.  So Acrylic is really what I want?  I heard that Acrylic is also interchangeable with the term "Plexiglass" or is that something else?  I think I read Plexiglass is a brand of Acrylic?  
> **username_2**: I think you're right - and wikipedia (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poly(methyl_methacrylate)) says you're right. Cool! _I_ learned something new, too.  
> **username_0**: I think I read there are many names.  

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### Answer by username_3 on 2016-10-26. Score: 2

As far as clear plastics are concerned the only plastics that you can go for are acrylic plastics. They come in wide variety of colors as well as thickness and can be opaque or transparent.

You can easily purchase them from the market. They are available in rod, sheets, and tube. They are quite strong and even stable in sunlight. So, as per your requirements, they are the best ones to go for.


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