Polycarbonate

material

A thermoplastic polymer known for exceptional impact resistance, optical clarity, and high-temperature performance, commonly used in engineering applications requiring toughness and transparency.

In Simple Terms

Polycarbonate is a clear, tough plastic that can withstand high impacts without breaking. It's often used where you need the clarity of glass but with much better durability. Think of it as super-strong clear plastic that maintains its properties even at elevated temperatures.

Why It Matters

For resin traders, polycarbonate represents a premium engineering thermoplastic with consistent demand in automotive, electronics, and medical markets. Its unique combination of clarity, toughness, and heat resistance commands higher pricing than commodity plastics.

Technical Details

Polycarbonate exhibits a glass transition temperature around 145°C, tensile strength of 55-75 MPa, and exceptional impact resistance up to 850 J/m. Its molecular structure features carbonate groups linked by aromatic rings, providing both flexibility and rigidity. Melt flow rates typically range from 5-40 g/10min at 300°C/1.2kg load.

Real-World Examples

Automotive headlight lens procurement

A tier-1 automotive supplier sources optical-grade polycarbonate with specific melt flow index and UV stabilization package, requiring COA verification for impact strength and light transmission properties.

Medical device resin qualification

A medical device manufacturer evaluates polycarbonate grades for biocompatibility per ISO 10993, focusing on gamma sterilization resistance and maintaining mechanical properties after sterilization cycles.

Electronics housing material selection

A contract manufacturer specifies flame-retardant polycarbonate meeting UL-94 V-0 rating for electronic enclosures, requiring consistent melt flow properties for injection molding complex geometries.