space manufactuof acrylic vs. glass? Forum: SSI-List
Thread: space manufactuof acrylic vs. glass?
# 21214 byDarren on July 8, 2006, 10:50 a.m.
Member since 2022-08-22
There is one possible problem with using plastic rather than glass. I have
had dealings with armoured cars and the ballistic "glass" in the windows is
made from a polycarbonate. We had to build sun shades for the cars to be
parked under when not used in order to extend the life of the polycarbonate
because it degrades in the sunlight, I seem to recall reading that it is the
UV in the sunlight that does it. In orbit the sunlight will be stronger and
the UV very much stronger. Are there any transparent plastics that are not
effected by UV light? If not, perhaps a layered system will need to be used,
high strength plastic with a layer of UV protection above it.