https://omnexus.specialchem.com/selection-guide/polycarbonate-pc-plastic
What is Polycarbonate?
Polycarbonate is a thermoplastic material that offers manufacturers and designers opportunities for design freedom, aesthetics enhancements and cost reductions. PC is known for maintaining coloring and strength over the time, even in stressful conditions.
Polycarbonate is a high-performance tough, amorphous and
transparent thermoplastic polymer with organic functional groups linked
together by carbonate groups and offers a unique combination of
properties. PC is popularly used as an engineering plastic owing to its unique
features that include:
·
High impact strength
·
High dimensional stability
·
Good electrical properties amongst
others
Though the characteristics of polycarbonate are similar to polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA, acrylic), but polycarbonate is stronger, usable in a wider temperature range (Melting point: 155°C) but more expensive. As PC shows excellent compatibility with certain polymers, it is widely used in blends, such as PC/ABS, PC/ PET, PC/PMMA. Some of the common applications are compact disc, safety helmets, bullet-proof glass, car headlamp lenses, baby feeding bottles, roofing and glazing etc.
NOTE: Polycarbonate
was first prepared in 1953 by Dr.H.Schnell of Bayer AG, Germany and by D.W. Fox
of General Electric Company, USA.
Main Characteristics and Properties of
Polycarbonate
PC is an ideal material well known and widely used in the industry for its versatile characteristics, eco-friendly processing and recyclability. Comprising a unique set of chemical and physical properties makes it suitable over glass, PMMA and PE.
Let’s discuss PC properties in detail:
Toughness and High Impact Strength – Polycarbonate has high strength making it resistant to impact and fracture, and further providing safety and comfort in applications that demand high reliability and performance. The polymer has density 1.2 – 1.22 g/cm3), maintains toughness upto 140°C and down to -20°C. Also, PCs are virtually unbreakable.
·
Transmittance – PC is an extremely
clear plastic that can transmit over 90% of light as good as glass.
Polycarbonate sheets are available in a wide range of shades that can be
customized depending on an end-user application.
·
Lightweight – This feature allows
virtually unlimited possibilities to OEMs to design as compared with glass. The
property also allows to increase efficiency, make installation process easier
and reduce overall transportation costs.
·
Protection from UV
Radiations –
Polycarbonates can be designed to block ultraviolet radiation and provide 100%
protection from harmful UV rays.
·
Optical Nature - For having
amorphous structure, PC offers excellent optical properties. The refractive
index of clear polycarbonate is 1.584.
·
Chemical Resistance – Polycarbonate
exhibits good chemical resistance against diluted acids, aliphatic hydrocarbons
and alcohols; moderate chemical resistance against oils and greases. PC is
readily attacked by diluted alkalis, aromatic and halogenated hydrocarbons.
Manufacturers recommend to clean PC sheets with certain cleaning agents which
do not affect its chemical nature. It is sensitive to abrasive alkaline
cleaners.
·
Heat Resistance - Offering good heat
resistance, Polycarbonates are thermally stable up to 135°C. Further heat
resistance can be improved by adding flame retardants without impacting
material properties.
Highly transparent. Offers light
transmission as good as glass
High toughness even down to -20°C
High mechanical retention up to
140°C
Intrinsically flame retardant
Offers good electrical insulation
properties that are not influenced by water or temperature
Possesses good abrasion
resistance
Can withstand repeated steam
sterilizations
Other Properties:
·
Good electrical insulation
properties, that are not influenced by water or temperature
·
Good abrasion resistance
·
Resistant to repeated steam
sterilization
·
Efficient than other engineering
thermoplastics
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At Bear Tech Industries:In our Enclosure products, it is Temperature and Moisture resistant- will not Sweat nor allow moisture build up as is common of stainless steel and metal enclosures