Which polymer is strong, stiff, hard, tough, transparent and heat and impact resistant, used for eyewear and bullet-proof glass?

• A. Polycarbonate
• B. Nylon
• C. PVC
• D. Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene

Answer: (A)

Polycarbonate is the material that combines high impact resistance with optical clarity, safety, and heat tolerance. Its ability to absorb energy without cracking makes lenses and clear protective layers incredibly tough, while still remaining transparent. This same toughness and clarity also underlie its use in laminated safety glass and bullet‑proof glass.

Nylon is great for toughness but not transparent, so it wouldn’t serve for eyewear or clear protective glass. PVC can be transparent, but it doesn’t match polycarbonate for impact strength and thermal stability. ABS is tough and rigid and can be clear in some blends, but it doesn’t offer the same level of transparency combined with impact resistance and heat resistance as polycarbonate.

So the material that best fits being strong, stiff, hard, tough, transparent, and heat and impact resistant, and is used for eyewear and bullet‑proof glass, is polycarbonate.