Trade names include well known variants (or “resins”) like Lexan® by SABIC, or Makrolon® by Bayer MaterialScience. 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. This versatile product offers the mirroring of glass with superior impact strength, heat resistance, and both dimensional and UV stability. , however, there are BPA free polycarbonates that have become particularly marketable for applications involving perishable food or water. The first heating causes thermoset materials to set (similar to a 2-part epoxy) resulting in a chemical change that cannot be reversed. The flexibility of polycarbonate allows for each of these products to be created in a variety of sizes, shapes, colors and transparencies. The polycarbonate sheets we supply are made by Makrolon®, a renowned leader in polycarbonate plastic and PC-based polyblends. But polycarbonate is a thermoplastic that starts as a solid material in the form of small pellets. 48 in. Address: 206 Camars Drive Warminster, PA, Copyright 2016 Creative Mechanisms All Rights Reserved, Everything You Need To Know About Polycarbonate (PC), Polycarbonate (PC) plastics are a naturally transparent. hbspt.cta._relativeUrls=true;hbspt.cta.load(187731, 'dc0744bc-8b1e-496b-9983-e09280c8e37f', {}); Polycarbonate is also an amorphous material, meaning that it does not exhibit the ordered characteristics of crystalline solids. 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. The most commonly made types of polycarbonate are created by the combination of BPA and. This has led to the advent of “BPA-Free” polycarbonate products (commonly shown on consumer products such as canning jars). Trade names include well known variants (or “resins”) like Lexa, . thick polycarbonate non-UV coated sheet is a perfect glass and plywood substitute for shorter-term glazing/boarding applications. According to AZO Materials, polycarbonate was concurrently developed in the middle 20th century by GE in the United States and Bayer in Germany. This characteristic makes thermoset materials poor candidates for recycling. A few examples include the following: clear tubes for sports equipment prototypes, clear molds for urethane and silicone casting, 3D printed models for high heat applications when ABS is not an option. Polycarbonates (also called PC plastics) are a thermoplastic. PC/ABS blends are also available for 3D printing on an FDM machine. PC is popularly used as an engineering plastic owing to its unique features that include: High impact strength Frequently used to make eyeglass lenses, compact disks (CDs), house wares, drinking glasses, water and baby bottles as well as numerous industrial products. 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). They may also be used in other consumer goods. And in just a few short years it was tapped by NASA for a truly daring feat: space travel. The main advantage of this material over other types of plastic is its great strength combined with light weight. Please contact one of our trained plastic experts if you would like to learn more about how one of our quality polycarbonate products can be of use to you and your business. Polycarbonate sheeting is a type of building material used to replace glass in a variety of applications. It can also be used to create traditional mirrors in high-stress environments, such as in vehicles, retail displays, and institutional bathrooms. Polycarbonate is available in a number of different grades dependent on the application and chosen processing method. Although deformation may be simpler with the application of heat, even small angle bends are possible without it. While acrylic is 17% stronger than glass, polycarbonate is nearly unbreakable. It comes in sheets that can vary in thickness from less than an inch to several inches thick. They are used in countless applications within society, including appliance casing, carrier bags and spectacle lenses. x 0.177 in. 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. A few examples include the following: 3D printed models for high heat applications when. x 96 in. And, compared to acrylic, it is only slightly less transparent, however polycarbonate plastic sheets are more prone to scratching. It can typically be formed at room temperature without cracking or breaking, similar to aluminum sheet metal. Shop from our polycarbonate sheets, tubes, and … Polycarbonate plastic was first discovered in 1898, by a German scientist called Alfred Einhorn who was working at the University of Munich, however, it wasn’t commercialised until the 1950’s and instead of being glass clear like it is now, it had a brownish tint up until 1970. Regardless of the contradictory studies on the negative effects of BPA, certain types of Polycarbonate have been associated with its release. Polycarbonate is a tough and stable clear plastic offering unique advantages. Polycarbonate polymers are used to produce a variety of materials and are particularly useful when impact resistance and/or transparency are a product requirement (e.g. Now that we know what it is used for, let’s examine some of the key properties of Polycarbonate. Topics: Polycarbonate plastic is a thermoplastic. It is a lighter alternative to glass and a natural UV filter, so it is often used in eyewear. Injection moldable polycarbonate might include other additives such as mold release agents that lubricate the material during processing. Piedmont Plastics offers a number of different formulations and provides help with selecting the right polycarbonate sheet for the specific application. Polycarbonate plastic is more dimensionally stable than acrylic over a wide temperature range. The following diagram shows the relative impact strength of, Polycarbonate when compared to the impact strength of other commonly used plastics such as. Polycarbonate is a tough, dimensionally stable, transparent thermoplastic that has many applications which demand high performance properties. A major useful attribute about thermoplastics is that they can be heated to their melting point, cooled, and reheated again without significant degradation. *At standard state (at 25 °C (77 °F), 100 kPa), Properly engineer the designs for production. It can typically be formed at room temperature without cracking or breaking, similar to aluminum sheet metal. HDPE (High-Density Polyethylene) HDPE plastic is the stiff plastic used to make milk jugs, detergent … In the modern era it is manufactured by a large number of firms, each typically with their own production process and unique formula. Polycarbonate is sometimes called Lexan (trademarked name by GE Plastics) or Makrolon. Polycarbonate is available in several different grades such as flame retardant, reinforced and shatter/crack resistant. Instead of burning, thermoplastics like Polycarbonate liquefy, which allows them to be easily injection molded and then subsequently recycled. What’s more, polycarbonate is as popular in prototypes as it is in finished products. Piedmont Plastics offers a number of different formulations and provides help with selecting the right polycarbonate sheet for the specific application. 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. in bullet-proof glass). One of the biggest differences between acrylic and polycarbonate is the cost. they have a wider range between their glass transition temperature and their melting point) rather than to exhibit a sharp transition from solid to liquid as is the case in crystalline polymers.Lastly, Polycarbonate is a copolymer in that it is composed of several different monomer types in combination with one another. All of them provide unmatched strength, functionality and cost-effectiveness. This characteristic makes polycarbonate sheet stock particularly useful in prototyping applications where sheet metal lacks viability (e.g. Polycarbonate is mainly used for electronic applications that capitalize on its collective safety features. What Are The Different Types of Polycarbonate? The following diagram shows the relative impact strength of Polycarbonate when compared to the impact strength of other commonly used plastics such as ABS, Polystyrene (PS), or Nylon. Polycarbonate Sheet – Details and Uses. 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 available in sheet stock and round stock, making it a good candidate for subtractive machining processes on a mill or lathe. Companies that manufacture this type of product often put tinted Polycarbonate on the front of their signs to both protect the LEDs and to reduce glare. Polycarbonate also has very good heat resistance and can be combined with flame retardant materials without significant material degradation. PC/ABS blends are also available for 3D printing on an FDM machine. The material is purchased in. Ideal for the security and automotive industries, this polycarbonate is the basis for what is commonly referred to as a two-way mirror. And, compared to acrylic, it is only slightly less transparent, however polycarbonate plastic sheets are more prone to scratching. 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. If you tried to heat a thermoset plastic to a high temperature a second time it would simply burn. BPA is found in polycarbonate plastics and epoxy resins. I found this video on a motorcycle forum I look at - it's pretty cool! PC for 3D printing is usually limited to a white color. One of the most popular plastic materials used is … PC is classified as a “thermoplastic” (as opposed to “thermoset”), and the name has to do with the way the plastic responds to heat. Typically amorphous plastics demonstrate a tendency to gradually soften (i.e. Polycarbonate sheet maintains glass-like clarity and is highly impact resistant. You can view a full list of material manufacturers here. 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. What are the Characteristics of Polycarbonate? x 96 in. General Purpose Polycarbonate– Unfilled grades of polycarbonate exhibit glass-like transparency and extreme toughness. 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. Thermoplastics are a type of plastic, but not all plastics are thermoplastics. Although either Bisphenol A or phosgene do not contain a carbonate group, the product Polycarbonate is composed of a carbonate group. Polycarbonate plastics are often used in containers that store food and beverages, such as water bottles. Although Polycarbonate is known for its high impact resistance, it is very susceptible to scratching. Some polycarbonates have additives such as “ultraviolet stabilizers” that protect the material from long-term exposure to the Sun. Furthermore, its considerable heat resistance can be enhanced with a variety of flame retardants without significantly lowering any of its other properties. BPA stands for bisphenol A. BPA is an industrial chemical that has been used to make certain plastics and resins since the 1960s. Sign up for A&C Plastics Updates, Promotions, 3D printed models for high heat applications. The most important property of polycarbonate is its enormous impact resistance. 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. Finished polycarbonate is typically sold in cylinders, rods or sheets. 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. Polycarbonate Sheet – Details and Uses. Yes, Suntuf has a plastic panels product in Clear. ABS is a general purpose plastic resin. Listed below are a few more specific applications that display the capabilities of this extremely versatile material. General purpose polycarbonate sheet has a polished surface, is UV stabilized, and is often used in glazing applications. 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. Polycarbonate (PC), a tough, transparent synthetic resin employed in safety glass, eyeglass lenses, and compact discs, among other applications. Thermoplastic materials become liquid at their melting point (155 degrees Celsius in the case of Polycarbonat). The very first plastics were made by nature—did you know that rubber from a rubber tree is actually a plastic? It is a lighter alternative to glass and a natural UV filter, so it is often used in eyewear. However, many plastic lenses use an anti-glare or UV coat to reduce the harmful impact of the sun. Polycarbonate is a lightweight, durable thermoplastic, a material that combines rigid six-sided phenyl molecules with short-armed methyl groups to produce a strengthened backbone. Plastic. 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. The best rated plastic panels product is the 6 ft. SunSky 2.67 LP Polycarbonate Roof Panel in White Opal. BPA stands for bisphenol A. BPA is an industrial chemical that has been used to make certain plastics and resins since the 1960s. Regardless of the contradictory studies on the negative effects of BPA, certain types of Polycarbonate have been associated with its release. Polycarbonate vs. Polycarbonate (PC), a tough, transparent synthetic resin employed in safety glass, eyeglass lenses, and compact discs, among other applications. 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 a synthetic plastic polymer. Polycarbonate Plastic. 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). 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. If you want a plastic material that is shinier, less expensive, scratches proof, heat bent, high clarity, and recyclable material, acrylic plastic is ideal for your needs. Polycarbonate is sometimes called Lexan (trademarked name by GE Plastics) or Makrolon. Polycarbonate is a versatile, tough plastic used for a variety of applications, from bulletproof windows to compact disks (CDs).
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