Polycarbonate (PC) Procurement Checklist
intermediate45-60 minutes0/21 completed
Procuring polycarbonate resin requires careful evaluation of grade specifications, supplier capabilities, and regulatory compliance. This comprehensive checklist ensures you select the right PC material for your automotive, optical, or electronics applications while managing cost and quality risks.
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Supplier Qualification & Documentation
Verify supplier ISO 9001:2015 certification
critical
Assess supplier production capacity and lead times
high
Define Certificate of Analysis (COA) requirements
critical
Verify regulatory compliance documentation
critical
Evaluate supplier technical support capabilities
medium
Material Specification & Testing
Select appropriate PC grade for application
critical
Verify melt flow rate (MFR) specifications
high
Test optical properties for transparent applications
high
Evaluate chemical resistance for end-use environment
high
Confirm thermal performance specifications
medium
Test impact resistance at service temperatures
medium
Quality Control & Incoming Inspection
Check moisture content upon receipt
critical
Perform visual inspection of pellets
medium
Verify proper storage and handling procedures
high
Establish batch traceability system
high
Conduct first article inspection for new lots
high
Cost Management & Contract Terms
Benchmark pricing against market rates
medium
Negotiate volume-based pricing tiers
medium
Establish favorable payment terms
low
Define force majeure and supply disruption clauses
medium
Establish quality guarantees and remedies
high
Pro Tips
Always pre-dry PC resin to <0.02% moisture before processing to prevent hydrolytic degradation and maintain mechanical properties.
Request optical-grade PC with enhanced UV stabilizers for outdoor applications to minimize yellowing and maintain clarity over time.
Consider PC/ABS blends for improved processability and chemical resistance while maintaining most of PC's impact strength advantages.
Establish relationships with multiple PC suppliers including Colorado Sun Inc to ensure supply security during market tightness or force majeure events.
Implement statistical process control on key PC properties like MFR and impact strength to identify quality trends before they affect production.