Overview
Clear Polycarbonate (Clear PC) is a transparent engineering thermoplastic renowned for its exceptional optical clarity, impact resistance, heat resistance, dimensional stability, and lightweight performance.
Unlike glass, Clear PC combines outstanding transparency with extremely high toughness, providing up to 250 times the impact resistance of glass while weighing approximately half as much. This unique combination makes it one of the most widely used transparent engineering plastics for safety, industrial, medical, and optical applications.
Clear Polycarbonate is widely used in:
- Machine Safety Guards
- Medical Device Components
- Optical Lenses
- Transparent Enclosures
- Automotive Lighting
- Aerospace Windows
- Protective Barriers
- Consumer Electronics
Because of its excellent transparency and durability, Clear PC is often selected as a lightweight, shatter-resistant alternative to glass.
Material Specification
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Material Designation | Clear Polycarbonate |
| Abbreviation | Clear PC |
| Material Family | Transparent Engineering Thermoplastic |
| Density | 1.20–1.22 g/cm³ |
| Transparency | High Optical Clarity |
| Light Transmission | 88–90% |
| Typical Manufacturing Methods | Injection Molding, CNC Machining, Thermoforming |
| Standard Forms | Sheet, Rod, Film, Tube, Pellets |
Chemical Composition
Polycarbonate is produced through polymerization of bisphenol A and carbonate groups.
| Component | Function |
|---|---|
| Polycarbonate Polymer | Structural Matrix |
| Optical Stabilizers | Clarity Enhancement |
| UV Stabilizers (Optional) | Weather Resistance |
| Processing Additives | Manufacturing Performance |
Clear PC is formulated to maximize transparency while maintaining structural performance.
Mechanical Properties
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Tensile Strength | 60–75 MPa |
| Yield Strength | 60–70 MPa |
| Elongation at Break | 80–150% |
| Flexural Strength | 90–110 MPa |
| Flexural Modulus | 2.2–2.6 GPa |
| Hardness | Rockwell R118–125 |
| Izod Impact Strength | 600–900 J/m |
Typical Mechanical Performance
| Property | Performance |
|---|---|
| Impact Resistance | Outstanding |
| Toughness | Outstanding |
| Fatigue Resistance | Good |
| Dimensional Stability | Excellent |
Clear PC is among the toughest transparent plastics commercially available.
Physical Properties
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Density | 1.20–1.22 g/cm³ |
| Water Absorption | 0.15–0.35% |
| Thermal Conductivity | 0.19–0.22 W/m·K |
| Electrical Resistivity | >10¹⁶ Ω·cm |
| Refractive Index | 1.586 |
| Light Transmission | 88–90% |
| Specific Heat Capacity | 1200 J/kg·K |
Optical Properties
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Transparency | Excellent |
| Light Transmission | 88–90% |
| Optical Clarity | Excellent |
| Haze | Very Low |
| Gloss | High |
Clear PC provides excellent visual clarity while maintaining superior impact resistance.
Thermal Properties
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Glass Transition Temperature | 147°C |
| Heat Deflection Temperature | 125–135°C |
| Vicat Softening Temperature | 145–155°C |
| Continuous Service Temperature | -40°C to 120°C |
| Short-Term Service Temperature | Up to 135°C |
Clear PC offers significantly better heat resistance than acrylic and PETG.
Strength-to-Weight Ratio
| Material | Density (g/cm³) | Tensile Strength |
|---|---|---|
| Clear PC | 1.20 | 70 MPa |
| Acrylic (PMMA) | 1.18 | 65 MPa |
| PETG | 1.27 | 50 MPa |
| Glass | 2.50 | 40 MPa |
Clear PC delivers outstanding strength while remaining lightweight and transparent.
UV Resistance
| Property | Performance |
|---|---|
| Standard Grade | Moderate |
| UV-Stabilized Grade | Excellent |
| Outdoor Durability | Good |
| Yellowing Resistance | Good |
UV-coated grades are recommended for long-term outdoor applications.
Chemical Resistance
| Chemical Environment | Performance |
|---|---|
| Water | Excellent |
| Dilute Acids | Good |
| Dilute Alkalis | Fair |
| Oils & Greases | Good |
| Alcohols | Fair |
| Aromatic Solvents | Poor |
| Ketones | Poor |
Clear PC should be protected from prolonged exposure to aggressive solvents.
Electrical Properties
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Volume Resistivity | >10¹⁶ Ω·cm |
| Surface Resistivity | >10¹⁵ Ω |
| Dielectric Strength | 15–20 kV/mm |
| Dielectric Constant | 2.9–3.2 |
Clear PC is commonly used in electrical and electronic equipment requiring visibility and insulation.
Impact Resistance
| Property | Rating |
|---|---|
| Room Temperature Impact | Outstanding |
| Low Temperature Impact | Outstanding |
| Drop Resistance | Outstanding |
| Ballistic Resistance | Excellent |
Clear Polycarbonate can withstand impacts that would shatter glass or acrylic.
Machinability
| Process | Rating |
|---|---|
| CNC Milling | Good |
| CNC Turning | Good |
| Drilling | Good |
| Tapping | Good |
| Laser Cutting | Fair |
Machinability Comparison
| Material | Machinability |
|---|---|
| Acrylic | Excellent |
| Clear PC | Good |
| ABS | Excellent |
| PETG | Good |
Careful machining practices help prevent stress cracking and maintain optical quality.
Thermoforming Characteristics
| Property | Rating |
|---|---|
| Thermoformability | Excellent |
| Vacuum Forming | Excellent |
| Hot Bending | Excellent |
| Optical Quality Retention | Excellent |
Clear PC is widely used for formed transparent protective covers and machine guards.
International Equivalent Grades
| Standard | Equivalent Grade |
|---|---|
| ISO | Polycarbonate (PC) |
| ASTM | Polycarbonate Resin |
| UL | Clear PC Thermoplastic |
| DIN | PC Transparent |
| JIS | Polycarbonate |
| GB/T (China) | 透明聚碳酸酯 |
Available Forms
| Product Type | Availability |
|---|---|
| Transparent Sheet | Yes |
| Rod | Yes |
| Tube | Yes |
| Film | Yes |
| Pellets | Yes |
| Injection Molded Parts | Yes |
Typical Applications
Safety & Security
- Machine Guards
- Safety Shields
- Protective Barriers
- Security Glazing
Medical Industry
- Diagnostic Equipment Covers
- Medical Device Housings
- Transparent Components
- Laboratory Equipment
Automotive Industry
- Headlamp Lenses
- Light Guides
- Instrument Covers
- Interior Transparent Components
Electronics Industry
- Display Covers
- Equipment Windows
- Transparent Housings
- Control Panels
Aerospace Industry
- Aircraft Interior Windows
- Protective Panels
- Transparent Covers
Industrial Equipment
- Inspection Windows
- Equipment Guards
- Process Monitoring Covers
- Protective Enclosures
Manufacturing Characteristics
| Manufacturing Process | Rating |
|---|---|
| Injection Molding | Outstanding |
| CNC Machining | Good |
| Thermoforming | Excellent |
| Vacuum Forming | Excellent |
| Extrusion | Excellent |
Advantages
Outstanding Transparency
Provides glass-like optical clarity.
Exceptional Impact Resistance
Up to 250 times stronger than glass against impact.
Lightweight
Approximately half the weight of glass.
Excellent Heat Resistance
Suitable for demanding industrial environments.
Good Electrical Insulation
Widely used in electrical and electronic systems.
Excellent Formability
Can be machined, thermoformed, and molded easily.
Limitations
Susceptible to Scratching
May require hard-coat treatments for demanding applications.
Moderate Chemical Resistance
Sensitive to certain solvents.
UV Sensitivity
Standard grades may yellow outdoors without UV stabilization.
Higher Cost Than Acrylic
More expensive but significantly tougher.
Comparison with Transparent Plastics
| Property | Clear PC | Acrylic (PMMA) | PETG |
|---|---|---|---|
| Transparency | Excellent | Excellent | Good |
| Impact Resistance | Outstanding | Moderate | Good |
| Heat Resistance | Excellent | Moderate | Moderate |
| Machinability | Good | Excellent | Good |
| Cost | Higher | Lower | Moderate |
Comparison with Glass
| Property | Clear PC | Glass |
|---|---|---|
| Density | 1.20 g/cm³ | 2.50 g/cm³ |
| Impact Resistance | Outstanding | Poor |
| Weight | Light | Heavy |
| Transparency | Excellent | Excellent |
| Breakage Risk | Very Low | High |
Available Surface Finishes
Standard Finishes
- Gloss Transparent Finish
- Matte Transparent Finish
- Optical Grade Finish
Functional Finishes
- CNC Machined Finish
- Polished Finish
- Frosted Finish
Specialty Finishes
- Hard-Coated Finish
- Anti-Scratch Finish
- UV-Coated Finish
- Anti-Fog Finish
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is Clear Polycarbonate?
Clear Polycarbonate is a transparent engineering plastic that combines exceptional impact resistance with high optical clarity.
What is Clear PC used for?
Typical applications include:
- Machine Guards
- Medical Equipment
- Automotive Lenses
- Protective Barriers
- Transparent Enclosures
Is Clear Polycarbonate transparent?
Yes. Clear PC provides approximately 88–90% light transmission, similar to glass.
Is Clear PC stronger than acrylic?
Yes. Polycarbonate is significantly more impact resistant than acrylic.
Can Clear PC be machined?
Yes. Clear PC offers good CNC machining characteristics for custom transparent components.
Why choose Clear Polycarbonate?
Because it combines:
- Outstanding Transparency
- Exceptional Impact Resistance
- High Heat Resistance
- Lightweight Construction
- Excellent Durability
Is Clear PC suitable for safety glazing?
Yes. It is one of the most widely used materials for impact-resistant safety glazing applications.
Does GCNOV provide Clear Polycarbonate manufacturing services?
Yes. GCNOV provides:
- Clear PC CNC Machining
- Polycarbonate Injection Molding
- Thermoforming
- Custom Plastic Fabrication
- Surface Finishing
- Prototype Development
- Low-Volume Production
- Mass Production