The term Polycarbonate describes a polymer which is composed of many ("poly") identical units of bisphenol A connected by carbonate-linkages in its backbone chain. Chemically, a carbonate group is a di-ester of carbonic acid, the result of which is a polymeric chain. Polycarbonate is transformed into the required shape by melting it and forcing it under pressure into a mould or die. There are two dominant processes involved in making products from polycarbonate:
- Extrusion : The polymer melt is continuously pressed through an orifice called a "die", which gives the molten polymer its final shape.This process makes it possible to create infinitely long pipes, profiles or sheets.
- Injection moulding : The hot polymer melt is pressed into a mould. The mould is then cooled, and the hot polymer solidifies taking on all the characteristics of the mould. This process is used to make single-end products, such as housings, plates, bottles and many other applications.
Benefits of PolycarbonatePolycarbonate offers many outstanding characteristics, including:
- High transparency, making it ideal for use in protective panelling
- High strength, making it resistant to impact and fracture
- High heat resistance, making it ideal for applications that require sterilisation
- Good dimensional stability which permits it to retain its shape in a range of conditions
- Good electrical insulation properties
- Biologically inert
- Readily recyclable
- Easy to process
These characteristics make polycarbonate suitable for many applications, including:
- Automotive: Polycarbonate plastic moulded mirror housings, tail lights, turn signals, back-up lights, fog lights, and headlamps all contribute to a vehicle’s unique style.
- Packaging: Polycarbonate bottles, containers and tableware can withstand extreme stress during use and cleaning, including sterilisation. They can be used to serve, freeze and reheat food in the microwave making them time and energy savers. Shatterproof and virtually unbreakable, polycarbonate is a safer alternative to glass.
- Appliances & Consumer Goods: Polycarbonate’s moulding flexibility styling and colouring possibilities make it perfect for use in electric kettles, fridges, food mixers, electrical shavers and hairdryers, while fulfilling all safety requirements such as heat resistance and electrical insulation.
- Electrical & Electronics: Polycarbonate’s light weight and impact- and shatter-resistant qualities make it perfect for housing cell phones, computers, fax machines, and pagers while at the same time withstanding the bangs, scratches and accidental drops of everyday use.
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