What is polycarbonate?
Polycarbonate is thermoplastic resin with aromatic polycarbonate combination, and provides excellent mechanical properties, thermal resistance, cold resistance and electrical properties. Polycarbonate is one of the most representative engineering plastic materials while being transparent and self-extinguishing. Since Schnell of Bayer announced polycarbonate made of BPA in 1956, (Makrofol) and (Makrolonl) have remained first industrial product released in the market in 1958. In 1960, GE's
Mechanical characteristics
Polycarbonate is 250 time stronger than glass and provides excellent bending and tension strength.
Thermal features of the polycarbonate
Excellent resin material with stable properties between -50℃ and 140℃. Can be used widely all over the world.
| material | thermal deformation temperature(℃) |
|---|---|
| polycarbonate | 135 ~ 140 |
| acrylic | 71 ~ 102 |
| ABS | 77 ~ 107 |
| FRP | >200 |
| PVC | 60 ~ 77 |
Optical characteristics
As shown in the spectrum, polycarbonate sheet transmits 82 ~ 92% of visible light. The following figure shows transmittance of light for the changes in the wavelength and light transmittance for the changes in the thickness.
Acoustical characteristics
As a consistent material, the so-called mass-based transmission loss is proportional to the mass per unit. However, rubber may be an exception. The transmission loss of rubber may be higher than the calculated mass. PC sheet also has similar characteristics and may be higher than the calculated mass.
| frequency(HZ) | transmission loss(dB) |
|---|---|
| 100 | 18.4 |
| 200 | 19.6 |
| 315 | 21.8 |
| 400 | 23.5 |
| 500 | 25.0 |
| 630 | 26.5 |
| 800 | 28.5 |
| 1000 | 31.1 |
| 1250 | 32.3 |
| 1600 | 34.2 |
| 2000 | 35.2 |
| 2500 | 35.8 |
| 4000 | 35.7 |
| 5000 | 32.7 |
Chemical resistance
Polycarbonate remains stable against alcohol, oil, and weak acid as well as slightly alkali and strong-acid agents. However, polycarbonate is dissolved in aromatic hydrocarbon, and chlorine aliphatic hydrocarbon. At a high temperature or in a loaded condition, racks may occur. Pay special attention to the following chemical.
| Deterioration | chemical |
|---|---|
| Dissolbing and whitening | caustic soda, potassium hydroxide, ammonia |
| yellowing | acetic acid, hydrogen peroxide water, chlorine |
| Swelling and blushing | swelling and blushing aromatic compound (benzene, toluene, etc.) Others (carbon chloride, acetone, acid ethyl, methanol, etc.) |
