Polycarbonate

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Key Characteristics of Polycarbonate

Polycarbonate is a high-performance thermoplastic known for its exceptional impact resistance, clarity, and thermal stability.

 

It is produced from bisphenol-A (BPA) and phosgene monomers, creating a material that is up to 250 times stronger than glass while remaining lightweight and easy to fabricate.

 

Polycarbonate offers excellent weatherability and UV resistance, maintaining its strength and transparency over a wide temperature range.

 

This material also exhibits natural flame resistance and good electrical insulating properties, making it suitable for demanding environments. Common applications include machine guards, glazing, enclosures, protective barriers, and security windows.

 

Polycarbonate provides a reliable, long-lasting solution where toughness, transparency, and versatility are essential.

How Polycarbonate is Used

Machine Guards: Polycarbonate’s strength and clarity make it ideal for safety enclosures in industrial equipment.

 

Security Glazing: Its impact resistance allows use in protective windows and security shields.

 

Electrical Enclosures: Its electrical insulation and flame resistance are suitable for housings and covers.

 

Signage and Displays: Polycarbonate’s clarity and durability make it suitable for illuminated outdoor signs.

 

Automotive Components: Its lightweight toughness supports use in headlamp lenses and interior panels.

Technical Specifications for Polycarbonate

Polycarbonate is known for its exceptional impact resistance — roughly 20–30 times greater than Acrylic — while maintaining good stiffness. It is less scratch-resistant, however, and can be softened by certain chemicals. Polycarbonate retains toughness over a broad temperature range and can endure short-term exposure to higher heat, though it softens under sustained loads above 120°C. It can be easily thermoformed or molded.

Tensile Strength: ~60–70 MPa

Flexural Strength: ~90–100 MPa

Tensile Modulus (Elastic Modulus): ~2.2–2.4 GPa

Elongation at Break: ~80–130%

Impact Strength (Notched Izod): ~60–90 kJ/m² (very high)

Melting Point: ~230°C (446°F)

Glass Transition Temperature (Tg): ~147°C (297°F)

Continuous Use Temperature: ~115–125°C (239–257°F)

Thermal Conductivity: ~0.20 W/m·K

Coefficient of Thermal Expansion: ~65 × 10⁻⁶ /°C

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