Polycarbonate

Industry Tradenames: Cyrolon, Excelon PC, Hyzod, Hyzod Tl Lexan, Macrolux, Makrolon, Polycarb, Polygal, Polygal (Twin-Wall), Tuffak, Tuffak A, Tuffak CM-II, Tuffak XL, Zelux

Material Description

Polycarbonate offers all of the clarity and beauty of acrylic with an impact resistance that is unparalleled in glazing materials. Polycarbonate is used in applications such as machine guards and security windows that require the optical clarity and the assurance of safety. Polycarbonate is relatively light weight and is fairly rigid. Polycarbonate is easily sawed, machined, heat formed, cold formed, cemented and painted. Polycarbonates are high-molecular weight, amorphous engineering thermoplastics that have exceptionally high-impact strength over a wide temperature range. Polycarbonate resins are produced in the U.S. principally by General Electric Co (Lexan) and by Bayer Corp (Makrolon). The Dow Chemical Co has recently become the third producer of polycarbonate resins (Calibre). The resins are available in general-purpose and specialty grades that provide specific properties or processing characteristics. These include flame–retardant formulations, grades that meet FDA regulations for parts used in food-contact and medical applications, and glass-reinforced grades for applications requiring maximum strength and stiffness. The natural resin is water-clear and transparent. Polycarbonates are generally unaffected by greases and oils. However, they are attacked by most aromatic solvents, esters and keytones which cause crazing and cracking in stressed parts. Grades with improved chemical resistance are available and special coatings can be applied to provide additional chemical protection.