Overview
Polycarbonate (PC) is a high-performance engineering thermoplastic known for its exceptional impact resistance, transparency, dimensional stability, heat resistance, and electrical insulation properties.
PC is one of the toughest transparent plastics available, offering impact strength up to 250 times greater than glass while maintaining excellent optical clarity. Its combination of toughness, heat resistance, and lightweight performance makes it widely used across industrial, automotive, electronics, medical, and safety applications.
Polycarbonate is widely used in:
- Safety Shields and Guards
- Automotive Lighting Components
- Medical Equipment
- Electronic Housings
- Aerospace Components
- Optical Lenses
- Machine Guards
- Consumer Electronics
Due to its outstanding durability and transparency, PC is often considered the premium choice for impact-resistant plastic applications.
Material Specification
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Material Designation | Polycarbonate (PC) |
| Material Family | Engineering Thermoplastic |
| Chemical Formula | (C₁₆H₁₄O₃)n |
| Density | 1.20–1.22 g/cm³ |
| Appearance | Transparent, Black, Colored |
| Typical Manufacturing Methods | Injection Molding, CNC Machining, Extrusion |
| Standard Forms | Sheet, Rod, Tube, Film, Pellets |
Chemical Composition
Polycarbonate is produced through polymerization of bisphenol A (BPA) and carbonate groups.
| Component | Function |
|---|---|
| Polycarbonate Polymer | Structural Matrix |
| UV Stabilizers (Optional) | Weather Resistance |
| Impact Modifiers (Optional) | Enhanced Toughness |
| Flame Retardants (Optional) | Fire Resistance |
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 |
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 |
| Light Transmission | 88–90% |
| Refractive Index | 1.586 |
| Specific Heat Capacity | 1200 J/kg·K |
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 |
PC provides significantly better heat resistance than ABS and acrylic.
Optical Properties
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Light Transmission | 88–90% |
| Transparency | Excellent |
| Optical Clarity | Excellent |
| Haze Level | Low |
Polycarbonate combines glass-like transparency with outstanding impact resistance.
Strength-to-Weight Ratio
| Material | Density (g/cm³) | Tensile Strength |
|---|---|---|
| Polycarbonate | 1.20 | 70 MPa |
| Acrylic (PMMA) | 1.18 | 65 MPa |
| ABS | 1.05 | 45 MPa |
| Aluminum 6061 | 2.70 | 310 MPa |
PC offers excellent structural performance while remaining lightweight.
Chemical Resistance
| Chemical Environment | Performance |
|---|---|
| Water | Excellent |
| Dilute Acids | Good |
| Dilute Alkalis | Fair |
| Alcohols | Fair |
| Oils and Greases | Good |
| Aromatic Solvents | Poor |
| Ketones | Poor |
Polycarbonate should be protected from prolonged exposure to strong solvents.
UV Resistance
| Property | Performance |
|---|---|
| Standard Grade | Moderate |
| UV-Stabilized Grade | Excellent |
| Outdoor Weathering | Good |
| Color Stability | Good |
UV-coated PC grades are commonly used for outdoor glazing applications.
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 |
Polycarbonate is widely used for electrical and electronic insulation applications.
Impact Resistance
| Property | Rating |
|---|---|
| Room Temperature Impact | Outstanding |
| Low Temperature Impact | Outstanding |
| Drop Resistance | Outstanding |
| Ballistic Resistance | Excellent |
Polycarbonate is one of the toughest transparent engineering plastics available.
Machinability
| Process | Rating |
|---|---|
| CNC Milling | Good |
| CNC Turning | Good |
| Drilling | Good |
| Tapping | Good |
| Laser Cutting | Fair |
Machinability Comparison
| Material | Machinability |
|---|---|
| ABS | Excellent |
| Polycarbonate | Good |
| Acrylic | Good |
| Nylon | Good |
Proper tooling is required to minimize stress cracking and melting during machining.
Injection Molding Characteristics
| Property | Rating |
|---|---|
| Moldability | Excellent |
| Surface Finish Quality | Excellent |
| Dimensional Accuracy | Excellent |
| Shrinkage Control | Good |
| Production Efficiency | Excellent |
PC is commonly used in high-precision molded products.
International Equivalent Grades
| Standard | Equivalent Grade |
|---|---|
| ISO | Polycarbonate (PC) |
| ASTM | Polycarbonate Resin |
| UL | PC Thermoplastic |
| DIN | PC |
| JIS | Polycarbonate |
| GB/T (China) | 聚碳酸酯（PC） |
Available Forms
| Product Type | Availability |
|---|---|
| Sheet | Yes |
| Rod | Yes |
| Tube | Yes |
| Film | Yes |
| Pellets | Yes |
| Injection Molded Parts | Yes |
Typical Applications
Safety & Security
- Machine Guards
- Safety Windows
- Riot Shields
- Protective Barriers
Automotive Industry
- Headlamp Lenses
- Instrument Panels
- Interior Components
- Lighting Systems
Medical Industry
- Medical Device Housings
- Surgical Equipment
- Laboratory Components
- Transparent Covers
Electronics Industry
- Electronic Enclosures
- Battery Housings
- Electrical Components
- Connectors
Aerospace Industry
- Aircraft Interior Components
- Transparent Panels
- Lightweight Structural Parts
Consumer Products
- Eyewear Lenses
- Water Bottles
- Sports Equipment
- Electronic Devices
Manufacturing Characteristics
| Manufacturing Process | Rating |
|---|---|
| Injection Molding | Outstanding |
| CNC Machining | Good |
| Thermoforming | Excellent |
| Vacuum Forming | Excellent |
| Extrusion | Excellent |
Advantages
Outstanding Impact Resistance
One of the toughest transparent plastics available.
Excellent Optical Clarity
Glass-like transparency with superior toughness.
High Heat Resistance
Suitable for demanding thermal environments.
Excellent Dimensional Stability
Maintains tight tolerances under varying conditions.
Lightweight
Approximately half the weight of glass.
Good Electrical Insulation
Widely used in electrical and electronic applications.
Limitations
Susceptible to Scratching
Softer than glass and may require hard coatings.
Moderate Chemical Resistance
Sensitive to some solvents and chemicals.
Higher Cost Than ABS
More expensive than general-purpose engineering plastics.
UV Sensitivity
Standard grades may yellow outdoors without UV protection.
Comparison with Common Transparent Plastics
| Property | PC | Acrylic (PMMA) | PETG |
|---|---|---|---|
| Impact Resistance | Outstanding | Moderate | Good |
| Transparency | Excellent | Excellent | Good |
| Heat Resistance | Excellent | Moderate | Moderate |
| Machinability | Good | Excellent | Good |
| Cost | Higher | Moderate | Moderate |
Comparison with Common Engineering Plastics
| Material | Density | Tensile Strength | Impact Resistance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Polycarbonate | 1.20 g/cm³ | 70 MPa | Outstanding |
| ABS | 1.05 g/cm³ | 45 MPa | Excellent |
| Nylon 6 | 1.14 g/cm³ | 75 MPa | Good |
| POM | 1.41 g/cm³ | 70 MPa | Good |
Available Surface Finishes
Standard Finishes
- Gloss Finish
- Matte Finish
- Transparent Finish
Functional Finishes
- CNC Machined Finish
- Polished Finish
- Frosted Finish
Specialty Finishes
- Hard-Coated Finish
- UV-Coated Finish
- Anti-Scratch Finish
- Anti-Fog Finish
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is Polycarbonate (PC)?
Polycarbonate is a transparent engineering thermoplastic known for exceptional impact resistance and optical clarity.
What is PC used for?
Typical applications include:
- Safety Shields
- Automotive Lenses
- Medical Equipment
- Electronic Housings
- Machine Guards
Is Polycarbonate stronger than acrylic?
Yes. Polycarbonate offers significantly higher impact resistance than acrylic while maintaining similar transparency.
Is PC transparent?
Yes. Standard PC offers approximately 88–90% light transmission.
Can Polycarbonate be machined?
Yes. PC offers good CNC machining characteristics for prototypes and production parts.
Why choose Polycarbonate?
Because it combines:
- Outstanding Impact Resistance
- Excellent Optical Clarity
- High Heat Resistance
- Lightweight Construction
- Good Electrical Insulation
Is Polycarbonate suitable for outdoor use?
Yes, when UV-stabilized or coated grades are used.
Does GCNOV provide Polycarbonate manufacturing services?
Yes. GCNOV provides:
- Polycarbonate CNC Machining
- Polycarbonate Injection Molding
- Thermoforming
- Custom Plastic Fabrication
- Surface Finishing
- Prototype Development
- Low-Volume Production
- Mass Production