Polycarbonate – Versatility and excellent optical quality

What is polycarbonate (PC)?

Polycarbonate (PC) is a transparent, impact-resistant and thermally stable material. Thermoplastic with outstanding optical quality and high mechanical strength. Due to its versatility, PC is often used for technical precision parts, safety discs and Rubber-Plastic Composite Parts with high demands on transparency and strength.

Polycarbonate (PC) is a high-performance thermoplastic known for its excellent properties. Key characteristics include: * **High Impact Strength:** PC is exceptionally tough and resistant to shattering, making it ideal for applications where durability is crucial. It has a very high impact strength, often referred to as "virtually unbreakable." * **Transparency:** It is a clear and transparent material, allowing light to pass through with minimal distortion. This makes it a good alternative to glass in many applications. * **High Stiffness and Strength:** PC exhibits a good balance of stiffness and strength, allowing it to withstand significant loads and stresses. * **Good Dimensional Stability:** It maintains its shape and size well under varying environmental conditions, such as temperature and humidity changes. * **Heat Resistance:** PC has a high continuous use temperature and a high heat deflection temperature, meaning it can withstand elevated temperatures without deforming significantly. * **Electrical Insulation:** It possesses good electrical insulating properties, making it suitable for electrical and electronic components. * **Flame Retardancy:** Many grades of PC offer inherent flame retardant properties, which is important for safety in certain applications. * **Processability:** PC can be processed using various methods, including injection moulding, extrusion, and blow moulding. * **Broad Chemical Resistance:** While not universally resistant, PC generally shows good resistance to dilute acids, salt solutions, and some oils. However, it can be attacked by strong alkalis, certain solvents, and hydrocarbons. These properties make Polycarbonate a versatile material used in a wide range of applications, including safety glazing, automotive components, electronic housings, medical devices, and optical media like CDs and DVDs.

• PC is characterised by its exceptionally high impact strength - even with low temperatures. It is Dimensionally stable up to approx. +120°C, has good electrical insulating properties and can be UV-stabilised.
• High light transmission (up to 90%)
• Good dimensional accuracy and dimensional stability
• Machinable by Injection moulding, milling, gluing
• Flame-resistant available (UL94 V-0)
• Limited chemical resistance (to solvents, alcohols)

PC is not suitable for permanent outdoor contact without UV protection, but can be improved by coatings or additives.

Polycarbonat (PC) wird in vielen Branchen eingesetzt, darunter: * **Automobilindustrie:** Scheinwerfergläser, Armaturenbretter, Stossfänger, Innenraumkomponenten. * **Elektronik:** Hüllen für Smartphones, Laptops und Tablets, CDs und DVDs, Komponenten für Steckverbinder und Schalter. * **Bauwesen:** Dachverglasungen, Fenster, Gewächshäuser, Schallschutzwände. * **Medizintechnik:** Gehäuse für medizinische Geräte, chirurgische Instrumente, Dialysegeräte. * **Sicherheit:** Schutzhelme, Visiere, kugelsicheres Glas, Sicherheitsbrillen. * **Haushaltswaren:** Küchengeräte, Aufbewahrungsbehälter, Trinkflaschen. * **Optik:** Brillengläser, Linsen für Kameras und Projektoren. * **Verpackungsindustrie:** Wiederverwendbare Flaschen, Behälter. Die Vielseitigkeit von Polycarbonat, seine hohe Schlagzähigkeit, Transparenz und Hitzebeständigkeit machen es zu einem idealen Material für eine breite Palette von Anwendungen.

Polycarbonate is used in:

• viewing windows and Housing parts
• Protective screens, covers, LED lighting technology
• Medical technology (e.g. disposables, Housing)
• Automotive industry (interior components, lights)
• Rubber-Plastic Composite Parts with TPE or Silicone for transparent hybrid solutions. Good adhesion to TPE can also be achieved without additional adhesion promoters.

Thanks to its high transparency and impact resistance, PC is suitable for applications where glass would be too heavy or too susceptible to breakage or would not be permitted due to its splintering effect.