Polycarbonates are part of the polyester family and form one of the fastest growing engineering plastics for new applications.
PC characteristics include excellent strength, stiffness, hardness and toughness. They also exhibit transparency, thermal stability and a very good dimensional stability – including resistance to water. They maintain rigidity up to 140°C and toughness down to -20°C, and even lower for special grades. PC is thermally resistant up to 135°C and rated as slow burning. Special flame retardant grades exist which pass severe flammability tests.
Constraints to the use of PC include limited chemical and scratch resistance, as well as its tendency to yellow upon long term exposure to UV light. These problems can be readily overcome by adding the right additives to the compound or processing through a co-extrusion process.
At CANUS we find Polycarbonates, such as Lexan®, is favorable for processing involving:
- CNC Machining
- General Machining
- Injection Moulding
- Vacuum Forming
- Extrusions
Common uses include automotive components and dashboards, cell phones, riot shields, vandal proof glazing, sporting goods, baby feeding bottles, electrical components, safety helmets and headlamp lenses.