what is polycarbonate plastic

x 96 in. PC is classified as a “thermoplastic” (as opposed to “thermoset”), and the name has to do with the way the plastic responds to heat. The polycarbonate sheets we supply are made by Makrolon®, a renowned leader in polycarbonate plastic and PC-based polyblends. The flexibility of polycarbonate allows for each of these products to be created in a variety of sizes, shapes, colors and transparencies. By contrast, thermoset plastics can only be heated once (typically during the injection molding process). What are the Characteristics of Polycarbonate? And in just a few short years it was tapped by NASA for a truly daring feat: space travel. They are used in countless applications within society, including appliance casing, carrier bags and spectacle lenses. Polycarbonate plastics are engineering plastics in that they are typically used for more capable, robust materials such as in impact resistant “glass-like” surfaces. Furthermore, the pliability of the material allows it to be created at room temperature without cracking or breaking and to be reformed even without the application of heat. Polycarbonate is also a synthetic plastic polymer. Does Suntuf have a plastic panels product in Clear? Polycarbonate sheets can cost on average about 35% more than acrylic. Some polycarbonates have additives such as “ultraviolet stabilizers” that protect the material from long-term exposure to the Sun. Although it was invented/discovered in 1889, it wasn’t until the late 1950s that it was commercialized. Thermoplastic materials become liquid at their melting poin, (155 degrees Celsius in the case of Polycarbonat). Namely outstanding levels of light transmission, incredible high strength (whilst being incredibly light in weight) and resistant to stresses both accidental and intentional. Polycarbonate sheets can cost on average about 35% more than acrylic. Polycarbonate gets its name from the carbonate groups in its backbone chain. Piedmont Plastics offers a number of different formulations and provides help with selecting the right polycarbonate sheet for the specific application. Polycarbonate is a high-performance tough, amorphous and transparent thermoplastic polymer with organic functional groups linked together by carbonate groups (–O–(C=O)–O–) and offers a unique combination of properties. PC is popularly used as an engineering plastic owing to its unique features that include: High impact strength BPA stands for bisphenol A. BPA is an industrial chemical that has been used to make certain plastics and resins since the 1960s. The most commonly made types of polycarbonate are created by the combination of BPA and. Here are a few details on some of the modern variations and their common uses. Most are called by the generic name (polycarbonate) and are typically differentiated by the amount of glass fiber reinforcing they contain and the variance in melt flow between them. Typically amorphous plastics demonstrate a tendency to gradually soften (i.e. It can also serve as a dielectric in high-stability capacitors. Most studies with government funding showed BPA to be a hazardous risk to health while many with industry funding showed lower to no medical risks. Temperature resistance in case of polycarbonates ranges up to 120 degree Celsius, while in case of plastics is only below 100 degree Celsius. Plastic is a polymer that has a large molecular mass. Polycarbonate plastics are engineering plastics in that they are typically used for more capable, robust materials such as in impact resistant “glass-like” surfaces. Polycarbonate plastic is more dimensionally stable than acrylic over a wide temperature range. As a naturally transparent amorphous thermoplastic, polycarbonate’s usefulness is in its ability to internally transmit light almost as effectively as glass and to withstand impacts far greater than many other commonly used plastics. Parts that are machined from clear stock usually require some post processing to remove tool marks and to restore the transparent nature of the material. Polycarbonate is sometimes called Lexan (trademarked name by GE Plastics) or Makrolon. Although either Bisphenol A or phosgene do not contain a carbonate group, the product Polycarbonate is composed of a carbonate group. Regardless of the contradictory studies on the negative effects of BPA, certain types of Polycarbonate have been associated with its release. Polycarbonate is highly impact and shatter resistant. Polycarbonate is sometimes called Lexan (trademarked name by GE Plastics) or Makrolon. Polycarbonate plastics are engineering plastics in that they are typically used for more capable, robust materials such as in impact resistant “glass-like” surfaces. It presents the same problem as painting most plastic: the surface is so smooth that paint has trouble binding to it. Polycarbonate sheet maintains glass-like clarity and is highly impact resistant. If you tried to heat a thermoset plastic to a high temperature a second time it would simply burn. There is a potential that certain types of polycarbonate could be hazardous in food contact situations due to the release of Bisphenol A (BPA) during hydrolysis (degradation due to material contact with water), . That’s the “amorphous” element. The first heating causes thermoset materials to set (similar to a 2-part epoxy) resulting in a chemical change that cannot be reversed. For this reason, clear surfaces such as a polycarbonate lenses in a pair of glasses will typically be coated with a scratch-resistant layer for protection. Have Polycarbonate cut to size. The first. General Purpose Polycarbonate– Unfilled grades of polycarbonate exhibit glass-like transparency and extreme toughness. A few examples include the following: 3D printed models for high heat applications when. Instead of burning, thermoplastics like Polycarbonate liquefy, which allows them to be easily injection molded and then subsequently recycled. Although it was invented/discovered in 1889, it wasn’t until the late 1950s that it was commercialized. Although deformation may be simpler with the application of heat, even small angle bends are possible without it. It is a lighter alternative to glass and a natural UV filter, so it is often used in eyewear. Piedmont Plastics offers a number of different formulations and provides help with selecting the right polycarbonate sheet for the specific application. This has led to the advent of “BPA-Free” polycarbonate products (commonly shown on consumer products such as canning jars). Most studies with government funding showed BPA to be a hazardous risk to health while many with industry funding showed lower to no medical risks. Polycarbonate also has very good heat resistance and can be combined with flame retardant materials without significant material degradation. Injection moldable polycarbonate might include other additives such as mold release agents that lubricate the material during processing. Companies that develop a product on a consistent basis are under tremendous pressure to: Our expertise and unique collaborative process alleviates your stress and helps take your Design, Engineering and Prototyping process to the next level. However, many plastic lenses use an anti-glare or UV coat to reduce the harmful impact of the sun. when transparency is required or when a non-conductive material with good electrical insulation properties is required). Polycarbonate is also a synthetic plastic polymer. Uses of Polycarbonate plastic include: The following diagram shows the relative impact strength of, Polycarbonate when compared to the impact strength of other commonly used plastics such as. Ideal for the security and automotive industries, this polycarbonate is the basis for what is commonly referred to as a two-way mirror. If you are someone who wishes to have impact resistance glass that is 30 times stronger than acrylic, chemical resistant, or sheets that can be drilled without cracking, polycarbonate plastic is what suits your needs. PC for 3D printing is usually limited to a white color. You can read about the process in more depth. The best rated plastic panels product is the 6 ft. SunSky 2.67 LP Polycarbonate Roof Panel in White Opal. After all, polycarbonate is just about everywhere; it’s used in eyeglasses, medical devices, auto parts, lighting fixtures, DVDs and Blu-Rays, to name a few. Polycarbonate Plastic. General purpose polycarbonate sheet has a polished surface, is UV stabilized, and is often used in glazing applications. General Purpose Polycarbonate– Unfilled grades of polycarbonate exhibit glass-like transparency and extreme toughness. PC is commonly used for plastic lenses in eyewear, in medical devices, automotive components, protective gear, greenhouses, Digital Disks (CDs, DVDs, and Blu-ray), and exterior lighting fixtures. According to AZO Materials, polycarbonate was concurrently developed in the middle 20th century by GE in the United States and Bayer in Germany. Plastics are derived from materials found in nature, such as natural gas, oil, coal, minerals and plants. Made from thermoplastic composites, polycarbonate sheeting typically offers greater flexibility and shatter-resistance than acrylics or plexiglass. Its durability, transparency, weatherability, and flexibility are but a few of the features that have made polycarbonate a mainstay material across multiple industries. PC is a special type of polyester used as an engineering plastic owing to its exceptional impact resistance, tensile strength, … Polycarbonate is available in several different grades such as flame retardant, reinforced and shatter/crack resistant. Polycarbonate vs. General purpose polycarbonate sheet has a polished surface, is UV stabilized, and is often used in glazing applications. A major useful attribute about, can be heated to their melting point, cooled, and reheated again without significant degradation. Backed by a five-year warranty against breakage, Clear GP polycarbonate stands head and shoulders above any product in its class. The formulation can be highly specific to the application. A major useful attribute about thermoplastics is that they can be heated to their melting point, cooled, and reheated again without significant degradation. thick polycarbonate non-UV coated sheet is a perfect glass and plywood substitute for shorter-term glazing/boarding applications. Polycarbonate (PC), a tough, transparent synthetic resin employed in safety glass, eyeglass lenses, and compact discs, among other applications. Frequently used to make eyeglass lenses, compact disks (CDs), house wares, drinking glasses, water and baby bottles as well as numerous industrial products. In the modern era it is manufactured by a large number of firms, each typically with their own production process and unique formula. used to produce a variety of materials and are particularly useful when impact resistance and/or transparency are a product requirement (e.g. Polycarbonate is also considerably less toxic than many other plastics, and the ease with which it can be recycled only adds to its environmental friendliness. HDPE (High-Density Polyethylene) HDPE plastic is the stiff plastic used to make milk jugs, detergent … At. You’ve probably used a product with polycarbonate in it today, even if you don’t realize it. Polycarbonate (PC) plastics are a naturally transparent amorphous thermoplastic. It can typically be formed at room temperature without cracking or breaking, similar to aluminum sheet metal. There are various industry grades of polycarbonate available. What are the Properties of Polycarbonate? It’s not a matter of polycarbonate vs plastic, but rather who uses the best grade and type of polycarbonate, how they refine it, and what the final product looks and feels like in the hand. You can view a full list of material manufacturers here. Polycarbonate plastics are often used in containers that store food and beverages, such as water bottles. PC/ABS blends are also available for 3D printing on an FDM machine. We have seen tinted PC used for the purposes of reducing glare (for example to cover lighted signs on the highway). Although they are made commercially available in a variety of colors (perhaps translucent and perhaps not), the raw material allows for the internal transmission of light nearly in the same capacity as glass. Another feature of polycarbonate is that it is very pliable. Polycarbonate is also an amorphous material, meaning that it does not exhibit the ordered characteristics of crystalline solids. Polycarbonate is an incredibly useful plastic for applications requiring transparency and high impact resistance. The material is purchased in filament form and the 3D printer heats and deposits the filament into the desired 3D shape. View pricing, get quote, buy. Polycarbonate is an amorphous thermoplastic polymer with excellent impact resistance, rigid and temperature resistance. Also, another significant difference between polycarbonate and plastic is that the polycarbonate can be made thinner than plastic. What are the Disadvantages of Polycarbonate? Polycarbonate is an incredibly useful plastic for applications requiring transparency and high impact resistance. The material is available in a variety of grades such as film, flame retardant, reinforced and stress crack resistant, branched (for applications requiring high melt strength) and other speciality grades. PC is a special type of polyester used as an engineering plastic owing to its exceptional impact resistance, tensile strength, ductility, dimensional Polycarbonate is mainly used for electronic applications that capitalize on its collective safety features. You can read about the process in more depth here. Shop from our polycarbonate sheets, tubes, and … Polycarbonate is a strong, tough engineering thermoplastic material which contains 2 carbonate groups in their chemical structure. PC/ABS blends are also available for 3D printing on an FDM machine. Typically amorphous plastics demonstrate a tendency to gradually soften (i.e. While the specific attributes of each resin differs according to its exact composition and extraction method, each is synthesized via catalyst from monomers called hydrocarbons, in a process known as condensation polymerization. Frequently used to make eyeglass lenses, compact disks (CDs), house wares, drinking glasses, water and baby bottles as well as numerous industrial products. Polycarbonate plastic seems destined for rather epic adventures. Yes, Suntuf has a plastic panels product in Clear. According to AZO Materials, polycarbonate was concurrently developed in the middle 20th century by GE in the United States and Bayer in Germany. PC is available in sheet stock and round stock, making it a good candidate for subtractive machining processes on a mill or lathe. Polycarbonate often includes UV stabilizers, making it an excellent choice for outdoor applications. heating causes thermoset materials to set (similar to a 2-part epoxy) resulting in a chemical change that cannot be reversed. What is Polycarbonate? Listed below are a few more specific applications that display the capabilities of this extremely versatile material. It comes in sheets that can vary in thickness from less than an inch to several inches thick. If you tried to heat a thermoset plastic to a high temperature a second time it would simply burn. Thermoplastics, unlike thermoset plastics, can be recycled by being reheated past a certain temperature. x 0.177 in. There have been roughly 100 studies conducted on BPA and the results are somewhat controversial in that a correlation between funding source and risk assessment has been shown to exist. Some polycarbonates have additives such as “ultraviolet stabilizers” that protect the material from long-term exposure to the Sun. Designed for glazing and industrial uses, the Clear GP stands alone as the best polycarbonate on the market for protection against vandalism and intentional breakage. thick polycarbonate non-UV coated sheet is a perfect glass and plywood substitute for shorter-term glazing/boarding applications. Namely outstanding levels of light transmission, incredible high strength (whilst being incredibly light in weight) and resistant to stresses both accidental and intentional. Polycarbonate comes in many different formulations, and this flexibility is yet another one of its benefits. Although Polycarbonate is known for its high impact resistance, it is very susceptible to scratching. Polycarbonate provides excellent impact and weather resistance, compared to the average resistance in case of plastics. The most commonly made types of polycarbonate are created by the combination of BPA and COCl2, however, there are BPA free polycarbonates that have become particularly marketable for applications involving perishable food or water. They may also be used in other consumer goods. And, compared to acrylic, it is only slightly less transparent, however polycarbonate plastic sheets are more prone to scratching. PC is classified as a “thermoplastic” (, ), and the name has to do with the way the plastic responds to heat. 48 in. Polycarbonate, or specifically polycarbonate of bisphenol A, is a clear plastic used to make shatterproof windows, lightweight eyeglass lenses, and such. Polycarbonate is a synthetic resin in which the monomer units link with each other through carbonate linkages while Plexiglass is the trade name … PC material-Polycarbonates (PC) are a group of thermoplastic polymers containing carbonate groups in their chemical structures. in bullet-proof glass). Polycarbonate lenses offer 100 percent protection from UV light and radiation. Finished p, Polycarbonate, like other plastics, starts with the distillation of hydrocarbon fuels into lighter groups called “fractions” some of which are combined with other catalysts to produce plastics (typically via polymerization or polycondensation). and the 3D printer heats and deposits the filament into the desired 3D shape. Most are called by the generic name (polycarbonate) and are typically differentiated by the amount of glass fiber reinforcing they contain and the variance in melt flow between them. Polycarbonate is a versatile, tough plastic used for a variety of applications, from bulletproof windows to compact disks (CDs). One of the biggest differences between acrylic and polycarbonate is the cost. One of the biggest differences between acrylic and polycarbonate is the cost. *At standard state (at 25 °C (77 °F), 100 kPa), Properly engineer the designs for production. Polycarbonate provides up to 89% light transmission while plastic provides 80%. Although either Bisphenol A or phosgene do not contain a carbonate group, the product Polycarbonate is composed of a carbonate group. Now that we know what it is used for, let’s examine some of the key properties of Polycarbonate. Another feature of polycarbonate is that it is very pliable. Although they are made commercially available in a variety of colors (perhaps translucent and perhaps not), the raw material allows for the internal transmission of light nearly in the same capacity as glass. This characteristic makes thermoset materials poor candidates for recycling. Polycarbonate polymers are used to produce a variety of materials and are particularly useful when impact resistance … TUFFAK® GP, AR, Lumen XT, machine grade, clear, white and others in stock. At the time of its development it represented a significant extension of the properties that were available in … There are various industry grades of polycarbonate available. So for certain applications, polycarbonate will be expensive in terms of raw material costs. The material is purchased in. One of the most popular plastic materials used is polyethylene. Polycarbonate is highly impact and shatter resistant. Polycarbonate is more expensive to produce than ABS (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene). Interest in making plastics arose in the 1800s to replace scarce materials such as ivory and tortoise shell. x 0.177 in. Polycarbonate is a moldable, durable, inexpensive form of plastic that is used in a wide variety of consumer products. These panels are made from a reliable and durable material. Polycarbonate, like other plastics, starts with the distillation of hydrocarbon fuels into lighter groups called “fractions” some of which are combined with other catalysts to produce plastics (typically via polymerization or polycondensation). Edvision Polycarbonate Plastic Sheet 16" X 12" X 0.078" (2mm) 2 Pack, Shatter Resistant Clear Plastic Board, Easier to Cut, Bend, Mold Than Acrylic Sheet for DIY, … x 96 in. Polycarbonate (PC) is a high-performance plastic frequently used in enclosure manufacturing. Polycarbonate (PC) plastics are a naturally transparent amorphous thermoplastic. Polycarbonate sheeting is a type of building material used to replace glass in a variety of applications. Its durability and transparency make it a perfect stand-in for glass during research and testing. As a naturally transparent amorphous thermoplastic, polycarbonate’s usefulness is in its ability to internally transmit light almost as effectively as glass and to withstand impacts far greater than many other commonly used plastics. But polycarbonate is a thermoplastic that starts as a solid material in the form of small pellets. Sign up for A&C Plastics Updates, Promotions, 3D printed models for high heat applications. As a thermoplastic, polycarbonate is reduced to liquid form in response to extreme heat, but can it be cooled again without a large loss in quality. Colors are usually limited to clear, white, and black. ABS has impact resistance, processability, heat distortion temperature, and gloss property. All of them provide unmatched strength, functionality and cost-effectiveness. The main difference is that polycarbonate as a thermoplastic can be heated to its melting point, cooled and recycled, because it doesn’t burn like a thermoset plastic would, which makes it very flexible in terms of its overall footprint carbon footprint as it can be melted down and injection molded for further use. Polycarbonate definition is - any of various tough transparent thermoplastics characterized by high impact strength and high softening temperature. Polycarbonate also has very good heat resistance and can be combined with flame retardant materials without significant material degradation. ABS is made from three types of monomers: acrylonitrile, butadiene, and styrene. PC for 3D printing is usually limited to a white color. PC material-Polycarbonates (PC) are a group of thermoplastic polymers containing carbonate groups in their chemical structures. Polycarbonate panels are manufactured out of a hard plastic polymer substance known as Bisphenol A (BPA). Polycarbonate Sheet – Details and Uses. BPA is found in polycarbonate plastics and epoxy resins. in bullet-proof glass). Now that we know what it is used for, let’s examine some of the key properties of Polycarbonate. If you are in need of the benefits available with polycarbonate sheet, contact the skilled team at Piedmont to help you choose the right materials for your project. However, commercial manufacture of polycarbonate capacitors mostly stopped after sole manufacturer Bayer AGstopped making capacitor-grade polycarbonate film a… It’s particularly useful for its natural transparency. They may also be used in other consumer goods. It is made from bisphenol A and disphenyl carbonate. What’s more, polycarbonate is as popular in prototypes as it is in finished products. What Are The Different Types of Polycarbonate? Polycarbonate plastic seems destined for rather epic adventures. General Electric makes this stuff and sells it as Lexan. Because Polycarbonate is a thermoplastic material, certain 3D printers are able to print with PC using the FDM process. Polycarbonate is a moldable, durable, inexpensive form of plastic that is used in a wide variety of consumer products. Being a good electrical insulator and having heat-resistant and flame-retardant properties, it is used in various products associated with electrical and telecommunications hardware. Polycarbonate is a tough, dimensionally stable, transparent thermoplastic that has many applications which demand high performance properties. As mentioned, the usage of polycarbonate plastic is very popular in the creation of eyewear; that’s because it’s lighter than glass and possesses a natural UV filter. Group of thermoplastic polymers containing carbonate groups in their chemical structures acrylonitrile butadiene styrene ) printing on FDM! ( PC ) are a group of thermoplastic polymers containing carbonate groups in their chemical.! 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