Polycarbonate — transparent engineering thermoplastic. Outstanding impact resistance, optical clarity, heat resistance to 120 C. For optical parts, safety glazing and electronic housings.
Standards
| Standard Body |
Designation |
Country |
| ISO |
PC (ISO 7391-1/2) |
International |
| EN |
EN ISO 7391 |
European Union |
| ASTM |
D3935 / D1003 (optical clarity) |
USA |
| DIN |
DIN 16742 / EN ISO 7391 |
Germany |
| Trade Names |
Makrolon (Covestro) / Lexan (SABIC) / Calibre (Trinseo) / Panlite (Teijin) |
Global |
| UL |
94 V-2 (standard) / 94 V-0 (FR grades) |
USA |
| JIS |
PC (JIS K 7209) |
Japan |
| GOST |
Polikarbonat (PC) |
Russia / CIS |
| FDA |
21 CFR 177.1580 (food contact — BPA-free grades preferred) |
USA |
| JUS |
PL-PC |
Yugoslavia / Serbia |
| RoHS |
Compliant |
EU |
| REACH |
BPA subject to SVHC authorization in some applications |
EU |
| Optical grade |
PC optical (ISO 10110 / ASTM D1003) |
International |
| Supply Forms |
Sheet, rod, tube (extruded/cast) + injection moulding compound + film/tape |
Global |
| ISO |
PC (ISO 7391-1) |
International |
| ASTM |
D3935 (PC) |
USA |
| Trade Names |
Lexan (SABIC) / Makrolon (Covestro/Bayer) / Panlite (Teijin) |
Global |
| EN 356 |
EN 356 (bullet-resistant glazing — multi-layer PC) |
EU |
| FDA |
21 CFR 177.1580 (food contact — selected) |
USA |
| UL |
94 V-2 standard; V-0 with FR additive |
USA |
Composition (wt.%)
| Element |
Symbol |
Min % |
Max % |
Typical % |
| Carbon (bisphenol-A unit) |
C |
— |
— |
75.500 |
| Hydrogen |
H |
— |
— |
5.650 |
| Oxygen (carbonate linkage) |
O |
— |
— |
18.900 |
| Water absorption (equilibrium 50% RH) |
H2O |
— |
0.350 |
— |
| Water absorption (saturation) |
H2O |
— |
0.600 |
— |
Physical
Melting Range
145 – 148
°C
Thermal Conductivity
0.2
W/mK
Thermal Expansion
65
×10⁻⁶/K
Machinability
| Rating |
180.0% (B1112=100%) |
| Turning HSS |
500.0 m/min |
| Turning Carbide |
1500.0 m/min |
| Surface Finish |
Ra 0.4-1.6 um achievable |
| Coolant |
Compressed air; light mist (NOT flood water —… |
Mechanical
| Condition |
Rm (MPa) | Re (MPa) | A (%) |
HB | HRC | KV (J) | E (GPa) |
| Standard PC (unfilled) (STD) |
55 – 65 |
55 – 60 |
80 – 150 |
— |
— |
— |
2.3 |
| PC GF10 (10% glass-filled) (GF10) |
75 – 90 |
60 – 75 |
5 – 10 |
— |
— |
— |
3.8 |
| PC GF30 (30% glass-filled) (GF30) |
100 – 130 |
85 – 105 |
3 – 6 |
— |
— |
— |
6.5 |
Heat Treatment
| Process |
Temperature |
Medium |
Duration |
Hardness After |
| Drying (mandatory) |
110 – 120°C |
Circulating air oven |
4-6 h (sheets: 8-1 |
Moisture <0.02% |
| Annealing (machined/moulded parts) |
120 – 130°C |
Air oven |
30 min per 3mm thi |
Stress relief; minimal |
Applications
Optical & Safety Glazing: Safety goggles, machine guards, riot shields, aircraft windows and greenhouse glazing (UV-stabilised).
Electronics: Mobile phone housings, laptop cases, LED diffuser lenses and electronics enclosures.
Optical Lenses: Camera lenses, spectacle lenses, CD/DVD/Blu-ray discs and light guide plates.
Medical: Blood oxygenators, IV connectors, surgical instrument handles and incubator domes.
Automotive: Headlight lenses, sunroof panels, instrument clusters and interior trim.
Safety Glazing: Machine guards, riot shields, safety spectacles lenses, bank screens and security glazing.
Automotive: Headlamp lenses (replacing glass), instrument cluster lenses, sunroof panels.
Medical Devices: Device housings, blood oxygenator housings, surgical instrument handles (if not autoclave).
Electronics: Laptop screens (bonded), electronic device housings, CD/DVD disc substrate.
Notes
Stress Cracking — Chemical Contact: PC is susceptible to stress cracking in the presence of solvents (acetone, MEK, toluene, benzene), oils, greases and even some adhesives. ALWAYS anneal parts before chemical contact. Design to avoid stress concentrations. Use PC-compatible lubricants (mineral oil, PTFE-based, NOT petroleum grease).
UV Degradation: Standard PC yellows and becomes brittle under UV exposure within 1-2 years. Specify UV-stabilised (UV-coated or co-extruded) grade for outdoor applications.
vs PMMA (Acrylic): PC has much better impact resistance than PMMA (acrylic) but slightly lower optical clarity and more susceptible to scratching. For impact-critical optical applications: PC. For scratch resistance and outdoor UV: PMMA (acrylic). For glazing: PC with hard coating.
Chemical Resistance: Good resistance to: water, dilute acids, oils, greases (PC-compatible). NOT resistant to: ketones, aromatic solvents, halogenated solvents, strong bases. Always verify with chemical resistance tables.
PC vs PMMA (acrylic): PC: 30x better impact, HDT 130 C, yellows with UV. PMMA: 2x better clarity, better UV stability, harder surface, lower cost, brittle. For safety glazing (guards, shields): PC. For signs, displays, outdoor clarity: PMMA.
Chemical Attack: PC is attacked by: aromatic solvents (toluene, benzene), chlorinated solvents, esters, strong alkalis. Stress crazing occurs even with dilute solvents if part has residual stress. Always anneal and specify chemical compatibility before use.