Polycarbonate to replace Stainless Steel

[yttrasil]

Just had a quite random thought and googled around trying to find some relevant figures/comparisons but couldn't find much comparison in terms of properties that i found relevant.

So am just curious about the prospect of this if anyone would know and if it would even be feasible as a substitute for steel.

Polycarbonate is very lightweight, strong vs shock/break/bending, easily workable and relatively cheap. However that is just its general property, how would this compare to the properties of stainless steel?

For those that don't know of it

I would assume that polycarbonate would need to be thicker, but by how much? Would it be possible to save weight using that material instead. Further would it potentially be able to make manufacturing even easier as i believe it is even easier to work than steel sheets.

Any ideas, is it totally stupid? Calculations and figures would be the most interesting to see

 

[rocky5000100]

Are you talking about replacing the external body panels with plastic and keeping a steel or other crumple zone?

 

[SSedan]

The rigidity of Lexan would do wonders for chassis stiffness.

I think you should patent this idea and move into private production of your own vehicle.line immediately.

 

[KBowden]

In short not a chance.

Per weight Polycarbinate is weaker, its softer and it degrades extremely quickly in sunlight.

 

[hridge2020]

Just had a quite random thought and googled around trying to find some relevant figures/comparisons but couldn't find much comparison in terms of properties that i found relevant.

So am just curious about the prospect of this if anyone would know and if it would even be feasible as a substitute for steel.

Polycarbonate is very lightweight, strong vs shock/break/bending, easily workable and relatively cheap. However that is just its general property, how would this compare to the properties of stainless steel?

For those that don't know of it

I would assume that polycarbonate would need to be thicker, but by how much? Would it be possible to save weight using that material instead. Further would it potentially be able to make manufacturing even easier as i believe it is even easier to work than steel sheets.

Any ideas, is it totally stupid? Calculations and figures would be the most interesting to see

any 9mm , 357 mag, 44 mag, 223 cal firing of ammo into it?

 

[Johnny Mac]

Haha. No

 

[ElectricLee]

50 or long term year plan, how do you make Polycarbonate on other planets, Boring company will extract the raw materials and make Stainless Steal. Think simple and long term.