Can polycarbonate plastic bend with heat?

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Weslicon

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Hey guys, I had some small pieces of motorcycle visor left over from my last spartan helmet, and they are just a percfect fit for the eye pieces in a Space Marine helmet I am building. They need to have a slight cuve on them, however, and I was wondering if I put them in a clamp and heated them with a heat gun, would they retain their shape? to the best of my knowlege, they are made from polycarbonate plastic. Any help is appreciated. Thanks!
 
With reason, the plastic SHOULD deform under heat and pressure, but whether it's viable to do so is another matter.

I'm guessing you'd at least ruin the tint on your visor (if one exists), and I think the heat you require might be higher than a heat gun requires (remember, motorcycle helmet visors are built to withstand quite a lot of punishment). It'd probably be better for you to obtain some 2/3mm acrylic, make a buck, and vac-form your own lenses.
 
Good thinking! My main concern is the reflective tint on it. I'll either squeeze em in some how or do a vaccuform. Thanks!
 
Polycarbonate isn't a good option when you don't need the piece to be strong, acrylic is easier to form (not by much) and it's cheaper. Remember, bake the acrylic for a few hours at a lower temperature before heating fully, otherwise water that is in the acrylic will boil and warp your plastic.
 
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