Opticor cast transparent aircraft plastic for cockpit and cabin windows, landing light and position light lenses (a lighter, non-flammable alternative to stretched acrylic MIL-P-25690)

Country: · Model: Opticor

Cast transparent aircraft plastic for flight deck and passenger cabin windows, and for lenses of landing lights and wing position lights. Density 1.13, light transmission 91 %, glass transition temperature 125 °C. A lighter, non-flammable alternative to stretched acrylic MIL-P-25690.

Application: flight deck and passenger cabin windows, lenses of landing lights and position lights
Density: 1.13 (ASTM D792), lower than stretched acrylic MIL-P-25690
Tensile (23 °C): yield strength 96.5 MPa; break strength 87.6 MPa; modulus 2578 MPa; elongation at break 16 % (ASTM D638)
Tensile (−54 / +66 °C): break strength 135.8 / 48.3 MPa; modulus 3447 / 1786 MPa

Request a quote All specifications

Technical specifications

Application	flight deck and passenger cabin windows, lenses of landing lights and position lights
Density	1.13 (ASTM D792), lower than stretched acrylic MIL-P-25690
Tensile (23 °C)	yield strength 96.5 MPa; break strength 87.6 MPa; modulus 2578 MPa; elongation at break 16 % (ASTM D638)
Tensile (−54 / +66 °C)	break strength 135.8 / 48.3 MPa; modulus 3447 / 1786 MPa
Compression / flexure	max. compression 256 MPa; flexure at 5 % 109 MPa, flexural modulus 2627 MPa
Impact toughness	notched Izod 63.6 J; puncture 10 J (ASTM D3763); not prone to in-plane delamination
Thermal	Tg 125 °C; HDT 103 °C (1.8 MPa); max. service 95–100 °C; CTE 6.7·10⁻⁵ 1/°C; λ 0.21 W/(m·K)
Optics	light transmission 91 % (90 % after 4000 h QUV); haze 0.24 %; n = 1.520
Flammability	14 CFR 25.853(a): burn time 0 min, burn length 0
Other	Rockwell M hardness 115; Bayer haze after 100 cycles 24 % (ASTM F735)

Specifications are taken from the manufacturer’s technical documentation. Updated 11/06/2026.

Description

Opticor is cast directly to shape in a wide range of thicknesses, so windows of complex double curvature are made from it. The material is not biaxially oriented, does not crack in the plane of the sheet and is resistant to crazing, abrasion, chemicals and ultraviolet light. The developer calls it the first new transparent plastic for aviation in more than 50 years. In tension at 23 °C the yield strength is 96.5 MPa, the break strength 87.6 MPa, the modulus 2578 MPa and the elongation 16 %; at −54 °C the strength rises to 135.8 MPa, and at +66 °C it falls to 48.3 MPa. The compressive strength is up to 256 MPa, the flexural modulus 2627 MPa and the notched Izod impact toughness 63.6 J. The glass transition temperature is 125 °C, the heat deflection temperature under 1.8 MPa load is 103 °C, the service temperature is up to 95–100 °C, and the coefficient of linear expansion is 6.7·10⁻⁵ 1/°C. Haze is 0.24 %, the refractive index 1.520 and the Rockwell M hardness 115; after 4000 hours of QUV the light transmission is 90 %, and the tensile strength is about 97–100 MPa. Under 14 CFR 25.853(a) with a 15-second flame exposure, the burn time and burn length are zero.

How to choose

Opticor makes sense when a window of complex double curvature or a lower weight than stretched acrylic is needed, and there are flammability requirements under 14 CFR 25.853(a). For temperatures above 95–100 °C another material is needed, since that is the service limit. For dimmable cabin windows look at Alteos, and for interlayer films S-123, S-142 and S-158.

Request a price and lead time

Opticor cast transparent aircraft plastic for cockpit and cabin windows, landing light and position light lenses (a lighter, non-flammable alternative to stretched acrylic MIL-P-25690). We reply within one business day.