PC – Polycarbonate

PC: Makrolon, Clarnate, Wanblend, Iupilon, Isoclear, Secacarb

Typical applications

Construction and architecture (Glazing)

Due to its high impact resistance (e.g. hail or vandalism) and low weight, PC is a standard replacement for glass.

• Polycarbonate sheets (multi-wall/chamber): Coverings for canopies, greenhouses, light strips on industrial halls and balcony glazing.
• Solid sheets (Lexan, Makrolon): Safety glass on public buildings, sound insulation barriers along highways and protective windows on industrial machinery.

Automotive industry (Optics and safety)

PC has revolutionized the design of car lights, allowing for complex 3D shapes that are resistant to stone chips.

• Headlights: The outer housings (lenses) of front and rear car lights (usually with a UV and scratch-resistant coating).
• Interior: Dashboard components, light guides (ambient lighting) and decorative strips.

Electrical engineering, electronics and telecommunications

Because PC is an excellent electrical insulator and can be processed into flame-retardant versions (UL94 V-0), it is often used to protect electronic components.

• Device housings: Cases for smartphones, laptops, chargers, routers and power banks.
• Electrical equipment: Transparent covers for meters, junction boxes, switches and sockets.

Consumer goods, safety equipment and medicine

• Protective equipment: Helmet visors (for motorcyclists, firefighters, hockey players), safety glasses, police shields and bulletproof glass.
• Travel suitcases: Hard, lightweight and elastic high-end suitcases that don't break when hit, but simply bend and spring back to their original shape.
• Medicine: Surgical instruments, dialysis machine housings, syringes (as it withstands certain sterilization methods).
• Optics: Lenses for prescription glasses and sunglasses (lightweight and shatterproof).

Quick comparison: Polycarbonate (PC) vs. PMMA (Acrylic Glass/Plexiglass)

Although the two materials look similar (both are transparent), they have completely different properties:

Main limitations of Polycarbonate:

1. Chemical sensitivity: Contact with strong cleaning agents, petrol, acetone and some oils should be avoided as they can cause. stress cracking (stress cracking).
2. Hydrolysis during processing: If PC is not completely dried before injection molding or extrusion, moisture at high processing temperatures (around 280–320 °C) destroys the polymer chains, and the material loses its transparency and toughness.