Polycarbonate Products and Applications

Known by the trademarked names Lexan, Makrolon, Makroclear and others polycarbonates are a particular group of thermoplastic polymers that are easily worked, molded, and thermoformed. Because of these properties polycarbonates are used in many applications. Polycarbonates do not have a unique plastic identification code & are identified as Other. Polycarbonate is a very durable material. Although it has high impact-resistance polycarbonate has low scratch-resistance and a hard coating is applied to polycarbonate eyewear lenses and polycarbonate exterior automotive components. The characteristics of polycarbonate are quite like those of polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA, acrylic) but polycarbonate is stronger more usable in a wider temperature range but

Applications:

Electronic components: Polycarbonate is mainly used for electronic applications that capitalize on its collective safety features. Being a good electrical insulator and having heat resistant and flame retardant properties, polycarbonate is used in various products associated with electrical and telecommunications hardware. It also serves as dielectric in high stability capacitors.

Construction materials: The second largest consumer of polycarbonates is the construction industry, e.g. for domelights, flat or curved glazing, and sound walls.

Data storage: A major application of polycarbonate is the production of Compact Discs, DVDs, and Blu-ray Discs. These discs are produced by injection molding polycarbonate into a mold cavity that has on one side a metal stamper containing a negative image of the disc data, while the other mold side is a mirrored surface. Typical products of sheet/film production include applications in advertisement such as signs, displays and poster protection.

more expensive than acrylics or fiberglass. This polymer is highly transparent to visible light and has better light transmission

Automotive, aircraft, and security components: In the automotive industry, injection-molded polycarbonate can produce very smooth surfaces that make it well-suited for direct (without the need for a basecoat) metalised parts such as decorative bezels and optical reflectors. Its uniform mold shrinkage results in parts with greater accuracy than those made of polypropylene, however due to its susceptibility to environmental stress cracking, its use is limited to low-stress applications. It can be laminated to make bullet-proof "glass" although "bullet-resistant" is more accurate for the thinner windows such as are used in bullet-resistant windows in automobiles. The thicker barriers of transparent plastic used in teller's windows and barriers in banks are also polycarbonate. So-called "theft-proof" large plastic packaging for smaller items which cannot be opened by hand is uniformly made from polycarbonate. The cockpit canopy of the F-22 Raptor jet fighter is made from a piece of high optical quality polycarbonate and is the largest piece of its type formed in the world.

Niche Applications

Polycarbonate being a versatile material with attractive processing and physical properties has attracted myriad smaller applications. The use of injection molded drinking bottles and glasses and food containers has stirred serious controversy (see Potential hazards in food contact applications).

Many kinds of lenses are manufactured from polycarbonate, automotive headlamp lenses, lighting lenses, sunglass/eyeglass, lenses, and safety glasses. Other miscellaneous items: including durable, lightweight luggage, MP3/digital audio player cases, ocarinas, computer cases, riot shields, visors, instrument panels, and blender jars. Many toys and hobby items are made from polycarbonate parts, e.g. fins, gyro mounts, and flybar locks for use with radio-controlled helicopters.

For use in applications exposed to weathering or UV-radiation, a special surface treatment is needed. This either can be a coating (e.g. for improved abrasion resistance) or a coextrusion for enhanced weathering resistance.

Polycarbonate is also used as a printing substrate for nameplate and other forms of industrial grade under printed products. The polycarbonate provides a barrier to wear, the elements and fading due to the Sun's UV rays. (article from Wikipedia)

updated 11/11/11