# What is this flexible plastic material **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [September 1, 2022, 6:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-flexible-plastic-material/970751 "2022-09-01T18:28:56Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Mr.E](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mr.e/32/8932_2.png) [@Mr.E](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.E)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2022, 6:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-flexible-plastic-material/970751/1 "2022-09-01T18:28:56Z")
At my work, there are scraps of clear plastic sheet that was once used as a machine guard at my workplace. It’s flexible and tough and is about 7.25mm (or .28 inches) thick. I’d guess it’s vinyl but I can find its like nowhere on the internet. I want an 18 inch square of it for a project at home but none of the scraps at work are big enough and I can find nowhere to order more. [You can see a photo I took of one of the scraps here.](https://mltshp.com/p/1NVYO) Can anyone identify this material and help me find where I can get more of it? ---
**Author:** ![Dorjan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dorjan/32/12440_2.png) [@Dorjan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dorjan)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2022, 6:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-flexible-plastic-material/970751/2 "2022-09-01T18:32:03Z")
Sounds like Lexan. ---
**Author:** ![beowulff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beowulff/32/542_2.png) [@beowulff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beowulff)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2022, 6:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-flexible-plastic-material/970751/3 "2022-09-01T18:40:41Z")
I think it’s vinyl, and the easiest way of finding it in that thickness in a reasonable size is to get a 1’ tube and cut it apart: > **[McMaster-Carr](https://www.mcmaster.com/5233K83)** > > McMaster-Carr is the complete source for your plant with over 595,000 products. 98% of products ordered ship from stock and deliver same or next day. ---
**Author:** ![pjd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pjd/32/3009_2.png) [@pjd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pjd)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2022, 6:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-flexible-plastic-material/970751/4 "2022-09-01T18:44:37Z")
Looks like what i’d call Perspex. ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2022, 6:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-flexible-plastic-material/970751/5 "2022-09-01T18:47:51Z")
I’m going to suggest either vinyl or PVC. It looks _exactly_ like walk-in cooler/freezer strip curtains, except a lot thicker. Depending on what you’re doing with it, a section of a strip curtain might work for you. Something like this, just thicker. [![](https://sc04.alicdn.com/kf/H68d1c20b7ed341dc8f0c6b6e0ac0277ay.png) ](https://sc04.alicdn.com/kf/H68d1c20b7ed341dc8f0c6b6e0ac0277ay.png) ---
**Author:** ![Mr.E](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mr.e/32/8932_2.png) [@Mr.E](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.E)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2022, 6:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-flexible-plastic-material/970751/6 "2022-09-01T18:47:55Z")
I don’t think it’s polycarbonate (lexan) or acrylic (perspex), I can bend a 6 inch square of this material fully in half with my bare hands then flatten it out again. Those materials are workable but not THAT workable, and certainly not by hand. I’ve looked into vinyl tubing, but to get an 18 inch square out of tubing I’d need a 6 inch diameter tube, which seems like larger than you typically see flexible vinyl tube offered. ---
**Author:** ![ZipperJJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zipperjj/32/211_2.png) [@ZipperJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZipperJJ)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2022, 6:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-flexible-plastic-material/970751/7 "2022-09-01T18:56:19Z")
I have a friend who works at the aforementioned McMaster-Carr. Their customer service team lives for answering questions like this, and finding & delivering the product. I highly recommend just giving them a call and seeing if they can scrounge up the exact product you need. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2022, 8:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-flexible-plastic-material/970751/8 "2022-09-01T20:05:10Z")
You can order a piece of 20 mil vinyl sheet from [Amazon to try out](https://www.amazon.com/VViViD-Multi-Purpose-Heavy-Duty-Tablecloth-Protective/dp/B0758X7Y1D/ref=sr_1_4?crid=G34NRSHKQ6OS&keywords=vinyl+sheet&qid=1662062562&sprefix=vinyl+sheet%2Caps%2C88&sr=8-4). Pretty good price at $14 bucks for over 6 sq. ft. ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2022, 8:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-flexible-plastic-material/970751/9 "2022-09-01T20:17:01Z")
Bear in mind that 20 mil is half a millimetre ---
**Author:** ![Si\_Amigo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/si_amigo/32/2877_2.png) [@Si\_Amigo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Si_Amigo)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2022, 8:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-flexible-plastic-material/970751/10 "2022-09-01T20:46:40Z")
I am so envious of you for having a friend that works there! We had a saying where I used to work “McMaster-Carr _ **will** _ save this project!”. And that’s a fact! ---
**Author:** ![ZipperJJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zipperjj/32/211_2.png) [@ZipperJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZipperJJ)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2022, 8:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-flexible-plastic-material/970751/11 "2022-09-01T20:54:26Z")
The HQ is only 20 mins from where I live. I’m surprised I don’t have MORE friends that work there! Actually I had another friend who worked there for years but she passed away. As far as I know all of their customer service reps are people with un-used masters degrees. So far that is true for 2/2 people I know who have done customer service there. ---
**Author:** ![3AxisCtrl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/3/ecd19e/32.png) [@3AxisCtrl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/3AxisCtrl)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2022, 10:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-flexible-plastic-material/970751/12 "2022-09-01T22:15:34Z")
> [@Mr.E](#): > > I don’t think it’s polycarbonate (lexan) or acrylic (perspex), I can bend a 6 inch square of this material fully in half with my bare hands then flatten it out again. Yes - the material in your photo is MUCH more flexible than Lexan or Perspex (aka Plexiglas / Lucite / poly methyl methacrylate). ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2022, 1:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-flexible-plastic-material/970751/13 "2022-09-02T01:18:49Z")
If McMaster-Carr comes up empty-handed, try Grainger next. If they both come up dry you’re down to duct tape, bailing wire, and spit to git 'er done! 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Isilder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/cc9497/32.png) [@Isilder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Isilder)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2022, 9:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-flexible-plastic-material/970751/14 "2022-09-02T09:19:04Z")
You can also get clear Polyeurethane sheets , maybe better for UV and chemical resistance. ? toughness ? strength ? There is acrylic too but its easily degraded. ---
**Author:** ![pjd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pjd/32/3009_2.png) [@pjd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pjd)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2022, 10:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-flexible-plastic-material/970751/15 "2022-09-02T10:02:34Z")
> [@Mr.E](#): > > I can bend a 6 inch square of this material fully in half with my bare hands then flatten it out again. Ah… no, not Perspex then as i previously suggested. ---
**Author:** ![am77494](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/d2c977/32.png) [@am77494](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/am77494)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2022, 12:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-flexible-plastic-material/970751/16 "2022-09-02T12:26:40Z")
> [@Mr.E](#): > > Can anyone identify this material and help me find where I can get more of it? Those are clear flexible PVC panels. Grainger has them in strips and they are not 18 inch wide [https://www.grainger.com/category/material-handling/dock-equipment/strip-doors-replacement-strips-and-hardware/replacement-strips?attrs=Roll%2FStrip|Roll&brandName=TMI&filters=attrs%2CbrandName](https://www.grainger.com/category/material-handling/dock-equipment/strip-doors-replacement-strips-and-hardware/replacement-strips?attrs=Roll%2FStrip%7CRoll&brandName=TMI&filters=attrs%2CbrandName) Give TMI a call and see if they would give or sell you a small piece. They have this in their catalog on Page 6 - STANDARD CLEAR PVC PANEL (0° to 150° F) with thickness upto 1/2 inch but they come in 60 ft rolls. Call them and they may be able to work something out. I have no affiliations to TMI ---
**Author:** ![Retzbu\_Tox](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/retzbu_tox/32/11829_2.png) [@Retzbu\_Tox](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Retzbu_Tox)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2022, 4:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-flexible-plastic-material/970751/17 "2022-09-02T16:27:08Z")
Maybe something like this stuff? Square slabs of clear PVC, so you don’t need to buy a big roll of the stuff. I don’t see one that is the exact thickness of your example. 24" x 24" x .25" thick > **[0.25 in Plastic Thick, 24 in W x 24 in L, Plastic Sheet](https://www.grainger.com/product/GRAINGER-APPROVED-Plastic-Sheet-0-25-in-Plastic-60RV01)** > > Looking for 0.25 in Plastic Thick, Plastic Sheet? Find it at Grainger.com®. With over 1.6M products and 24/7 customer service we have supplies and solutions for every industry. 24" x 24" x .375" thick > **[0.375 in Plastic Thick, 24 in W x 24 in L, Plastic Sheet](https://www.grainger.com/product/GRAINGER-APPROVED-Plastic-Sheet-0-375-in-Plastic-60RV07)** > > Looking for 0.375 in Plastic Thick, Plastic Sheet? Find it at Grainger.com®. With over 1.6M products and 24/7 customer service we have supplies and solutions for every industry. ---
**Author:** ![am77494](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/d2c977/32.png) [@am77494](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/am77494)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2022, 4:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-flexible-plastic-material/970751/18 "2022-09-02T16:38:08Z")
> [@Retzbu\_Tox](#): > > Maybe something like this stuff? Square slabs of clear PVC, so you don’t need to buy a big roll of the stuff…. This stuff is rigid and not flexible like the OP requested ---
**Author:** ![Retzbu\_Tox](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/retzbu_tox/32/11829_2.png) [@Retzbu\_Tox](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Retzbu_Tox)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2022, 4:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-flexible-plastic-material/970751/19 "2022-09-02T16:51:30Z")
> [@am77494](#): > > This stuff is rigid and not flexible like the OP requested Phooey. I was looking for thick PVC that would meet or exceed the 18" width and didn’t note the Rockwell hardness rating. ---
**Author:** ![Retzbu\_Tox](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/retzbu_tox/32/11829_2.png) [@Retzbu\_Tox](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Retzbu_Tox)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2022, 5:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-flexible-plastic-material/970751/20 "2022-09-02T17:09:46Z")
Looking for PVC table covers and floor mats might get you different options than industrial supply websites. Here is a clear flexible table cover. At 3mm, it’s not as thick as you are looking for, but suggests some different ideas for search terms. > **[Amazon.com: YJDYA PVC Tablecloth Plastic Table Cover Waterproof Table Top...](https://www.amazon.com/YJDYA-Tablecloth-Plastic-Waterproof-Protector/dp/B09V4KT2PL)** > > Buy YJDYA PVC Tablecloth Plastic Table Cover Waterproof Table Top Protector 1.5/2.0/3.0mm Clear Desk Pad Protector for Kitchen, Coffee Table (Color : 2.0mm, Size : 80x80cm/31.5x31.5in): Table Pads - Amazon.com ✓ FREE DELIVERY possible on eligible... [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-flexible-plastic-material/970751.md?page=2)