Polycarbonate
Polycarbonate (PC) is similar to acrylic, however is stronger and usable over a greater temperature range. Clear polycarbonate is highly transparent to visible light, with better light transmission than many kinds of glass.
ePlastics® is an authorized distributor and fabricator of many polycarbonate grades that can be used for most polycarbonate applications. Some applications include construction materials, data storage, automotive and aircraft components, windows, roofing material, medical applications, mobile phones, and many more.
Polycarbonate (PC) is an extremely durable material with high impact-resistance, but low scratch resistance. Therefor a hard coating is applied to polycarbonate eyewear lenses and polycarbonate exterior automotive components to prevent scratching from routine use. Common trademarked names include LEXAN™, MAKROLON®, Makroclear®, arcoPlus® and others. They are easily fabricated, cut, molded, and thermoformed. Because of these properties, polycarbonate panels find many different applications throughout everyday life. Polycarbonate has a glass transition temperature of about 147°C (297°F) so it softens gradually above this point and flows above about 155 °C (311 °F). Unlike most thermoplastics, polycarbonate can undergo large plastic deformations without cracking or breaking. As a result, it can be processed and formed at room temperature using sheet metal techniques, such as bending on a brake. This makes it valuable in prototyping applications where transparent or electrically non-conductive parts are needed, which cannot be made from sheet metal.
ePlastics® offers a full line of polycarbonate sheets, panels, rods, tubes, films, & mirror, in many different forms. Simply visit any of the category links above to see all of the products available in that category. If you have any questions about what you see, call one of our plastics professionals at the number above or email us at info@eplastics.com.
FROM THE MANUFACTURERS:
LEXAN™: "LEXAN™ polycarbonate resin is an amorphous engineering thermoplastic, characterized by outstanding mechanical, optical, electrical and thermal properties. The LEXAN™ portfolio provides broad design versatility through its wide range of viscosities and product options such as: environmentally conforming flame retardancy, scratch resistance, toughness, heat resistance, weatherability, biocompatibility, optical quality, and compliance with stringent FDA and USP requirements."
MAKROLON®: "Bayer MaterialScience LLC produces consistent, high-quality polycarbonate sheet under the MAKROLON® polycarbonate sheet trade name. Forming and fabrication characteristics and techniques are comparable to those of other commercial polycarbonate sheet products."
MAKROLON® 15 polycarbonate sheet offers long-term weatherability and is backed by a 15-year performance warranty. This significant performance enhancement is derived from MAKSHIELD™ innovative coating technology. MAKSHIELD™ hard-coat surface approaches the hardness of glass and addresses the issues previously associated with polycarbonate sheets (some conditions apply from MAKROLON®). MAKSHIELD™ coating technology, combined with the impact strength of MAKROLON® polycarbonate sheets builds on Sheffield Plastics’ long history of “none tougher” polycarbonate products.
MAKROCLEAR®: "MAKROCLEAR® is based on Arla Plast AB´s long experience of producing PC sheet in mono, co- and even tri-extrusion. Extremely high impact strength and high temperature resistance are the main advantages of PC compared to other thermoplastic materials."
acroPlus®: "Gallina has been manufacturing and extruding polycarbonate and plastic profiles, sheets and building panels for over 50 years. Our arcoPlus® line of structural multiwall modular building panels are designed exclusively for vertical wall, skylighting, canopy applications or any application designed to improve daylighting. Let us show you how our arcoPlus® panels can enhance your project designs, improve your thermal performance, and bring daylighting into your buildings."
