What Is Polycarbonate
Aug 29, 2024| 1. Introduction of Polycarbonate
Polycarbonate (PC) refers to a group of thermoplastic polymers encompassing carbonate groups in their chemical structures. Polycarbonates used in engineering are strong and tough. Some grades are optically transparent and used for polycarbonate lenses. They are easily worked, molded, and thermoformed. Because of these chemical properties, polycarbonates have many applications
Polycarbonate is a thermoplastic found nearly everywhere. It is used in eyeglasses, medical devices, protective gear, auto parts, DVDs, lighting fixtures, and Blu-Rays. As a naturally transparent amorphous thermoplastic, polycarbonate is useful because it can transmit light internally almost as effectively as glass and can withstand more significant impacts than many commonly used other plastics.
2. Types of Polycarbonate Plastic
Although polycarbonate sheeting was first and concurrently developed in the mid-20th century by GE and Bayer, the current plastic materials marketplace features a variety of developers who each possess a unique polycarbonate formula and production process. Here are a few details on some modern variations and their common uses.
Clear GP Sheet: Clear GP polycarbonate sheet is designed for glazing and industrial uses. It stands alone as the best polycarbonate for protection against vandalism and intentional breakage. This high-impact sheet has an impact strength 250 times that of glass and 30 times that of acrylic sheeting, making it ideal for protection.
Clear SL Sheet: Natural light can eventually erode even the sturdiest materials, but that wear can be slowed dramatically with the enhanced UV resistance of the Clear SL. This material is designed to weather brutal environments and provide an unmatched service life extension and color-shifting resistance.
Polycarbonate Mirror Sheet: This versatile polycarbonate sheet offers the mirror effect of glass with heat resistance, superior impact strength, and both dimensional and UV stability.
The flexibility of polycarbonate allows for products to be created in various sizes, shapes, colors, and transparencies. All of them provide superior strength, functionality, and cost-effectiveness.
3. Common Uses of Polycarbonate Plastics
Automotive headlamps
Security windows
Motorcycle face shields & windscreens
Prescription lenses
Safety glasses
Machinery guards
Skylights
Streetlamps.
4. Advantages of Using Polycarbonate
Fire resistance: Unlike acrylic sheets, polycarbonate is fire resistant and has a fire rating of B1, meaning the material will not burn with an open flame. Polycarbonate is self-extinguishing.
Sustainability: Polycarbonate is also considered sustainable. It has a long service lifespan and is fully recyclable. Polycarbonate plastics are also resistant to UV rays, making them suitable as sheet materials for exterior applications.
Vandalism resistance: Polycarbonate is virtually unbreakable and vandal-proof, making it the ideal choice of material for safety glazing.
Insulating: An essential advantage of polycarbonate is that it retains heat very well, which is ideal for greenhouses. A polycarbonate greenhouse creates an ideal microclimate for plants.
Processing ease: Polycarbonate is more robust than acrylic, so breakage risk is even lower than with molded acrylic sheets. Polycarbonate can be milled, sawn, engraved, drilled, glued, bent (hot), and polished in the same way as an acrylic sheet.
Lightweight: Polycarbonate plastics are twice as light as standard glass. Polycarbonate's lightweight makes it very easy to work with, especially for a project such as installing a patio canopy.
5. Disadvantages of Using Polycarbonate
Sensitive to scratches: The main disadvantage of polycarbonate is that it isn't scratch resistant.
Polycarbonate can expand.
6. About us
Luoyang Dema Import & Export Co., Ltd. aims to provide high-quality, cost-effective products for global factories, plastic product manufacturers, and material distributors. Luoyang Dema Import & Export Co., Ltd. provides the best PP, PE, PVC, PET, EVA, ABS material solutions for plastic product manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors, distributors, factory owners, processing workshops, etc.
If you are looking for general plastic materials, please feel free to get the latest prices and quotations from Luoyang Dema Import & Export Co., Ltd. The sales team will reply within 48 hours.