Polycarbonate (PC)
Polycarbonate (PC)
Polymer Type: Thermoplastic
Key Properties
- High impact resistance
- Excellent clarity and transparency
- Good heat resistance
- Dimensionally stable
Applications
- Eyeglass lenses and safety shields
- Food and beverage containers
- Medical devices and equipment
- Building and construction materials
Additional Information
Polycarbonate (PC) is a versatile thermoplastic known for its outstanding impact resistance and clarity. It is significantly more impact-resistant than many other plastics, making it ideal for demanding applications requiring high levels of protection, such as safety eyewear and bulletproof materials. PC’s exceptional clarity allows for transparent applications like food containers and lenses.
This material additionally offers good heat resistance, enabling it to withstand higher temperatures than some other thermoplastics. Its dimensional stability minimizes changes in shape under varying temperatures, contributing to precise tolerances in applications like electronic components. Certain grades of PC also exhibit flame retardancy, meeting stringent fire safety requirements.
However, PC can be more expensive than some other plastics. It is also susceptible to scratches and chemical attack from certain solvents.
Some common processing methods used for polycarbonate include:
- Injection Molding
- Extrusion
- Blow Molding
- Thermoforming
