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ktm solutions mechanical engineering, greenville sc

Polycarbonate vs. Acrylic: What’s the difference?

Physical Barriers for COVID-19—Are all plastics equal?

When looking for the right sneeze shield to sell to our school customers, we knew we needed to find something safe for students and teachers. After several designs and prototypes, we selected polycarbonate as our material of choice.


  • KTM Solutions uses UL94 rated polycarbonate.

  • Polycarbonate is 250 times stronger than glass, where acrylic is only 10 times stronger.

  • Polycarbonate can be cleaned with chemicals; acrylic cannot. This means that while most disinfectants will harm acrylic, polycarbonate can be thoroughly disinfected and still retain its clarity and durability.

  • While acrylic will not shatter like glass, it is 240 times more likely to break than polycarbonate and less flexible. (From our research, this means when acrylic breaks it would be in larger, sharp pieces that could prove harmful).

  • Most important: Polycarbonate is still affordable. We have partitions starting at $19.



Pictured are just a few of our most popular partitions. Take a look at a more complete example of all the partitions we've made.


Let Us Help

KTM seeks to design and build durable and safe partitions for practically every school environment. Our partitions provide a clear line of sight— no obstructive sides or corners, just clear plastic between students and teachers.


As you look for ways to help schools in your district operate as safely as possible, contact us and let our engineers develop a custom solution for your space.


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About

KTM is a team of professional engineers that partners with manufacturing companies to overcome challenges and deliver the custom design solution and the expertise you need for your project.

Our Products & Services

KTM utilizes a staff of registered mechanical engineers (PE) that are qualified in the design and analysis of advanced machines, fixtures, lifting systems, and mechanical structures. We design and analyze for sufficient strength, optimal mechanical performance, and safety in accordance with industry standards and governmental regulations.

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