Polycarbonate Technical Data and Information

Impact strength:
Un notched polycarbonate is virtually unbreakable, making it extremely safe in areas where parts may be exposed to impact. When exposed to repeated heavy blow, the material tends to cold form rather than shatter.

Electrical:
Polycarbonate is excellent for electrical applications, because of its high dielectric strength and high volume resistivity which decreases only slightly as temperature or humidity is increased.

Machinability:
Parts can be easily machined from standard metal working tools. No special tools are needed, and finished parts can be polished to a high gloss. Water or water-soluble cutting oils should be used when machining polycarbonate, since some standard cutting oils will attack the material. Polycarbonate can be machined on standard metalworking or woodworking equipment. Its unique properties permit it to be machined without chipping, splitting, or breaking.

Annealing:
In some instances where extensive machining is required, an annealing of semi-finished parts is highly recommended. Annealing can be accomplished by heating parts at 120°C in a desiccated air circulating oven for one hour per 25mm of thickness. After heating, the oven should be turned off and allowed to cool to room temperature spontaneously.

Bonding:
Polycarbonate can be mechanically bonded by standard methods. It can also be cemented by using a solvent such as methylene chloride or adhesives such as epoxy, urethane and silicone. Polycarbonate and also be ultrasonically or vibrational welded.

Removing paint or other materials:
Fresh paint may be removed by rubbing lightly with a cleaning material such as isopropyl alcohol. Then the sheet should be washed immediately with a mild soap or detergent in warm water, and rinsed thoroughly with clean water. Grease and glazing compound may similarly be removed from the surface with the above mentioned cleaning materials. Weathered paint may be lifted off the sheet with masking tape. Razor blades or other sharp scraping tools should never be used.

Formability:
Standard polycarbonate sheet can be heat formed with proper pre-drying. Polycarbonate sheet may also be cold formed under special conditions.

Cleaning:
Is best done with warm soapy water, specialised plastic cleaners and polishes, such as, Sheenmaster, Plexus, Novus #1 or Meguiars #18 may remove slight scratches. Products such as abrasive or highly alkaline cleaners, acetone, carbon tetrachloride, benzene or petrol should not be used, and the sheet should not be cleaned in hot sun or at high temperatures.

Scratch Removal:
Sheenmaster, Plexus, Novus #1 and #2 or Meguiars #18 and #17 may remove hairline scratches and minor abrasions. Any polish, however, should be tested first on a sample area of the polycarbonate sheet.

Decorating:
Polycarbonate products will accept painting, printing, or vacuum metallising as decorating methods.

UV Stabilisation:
Standard grade Polycarbonate sheet, tube and rod is not UV stabilised, however, sheet is available in UV stabilised and mar resistant grades.

Applications:
Lenses, high temperature and pressure windows, face shields. Industrial equipment, guards and housings. Medical equipment components. Instrument components, electrical insulators and connectors. Windows in pressure chambers, automotive parts.

Materials available:
Standard Grade:
Clear and tinted sheet. 2440 x 1220 or 2440 x 1830 sheet up to 13mm thick

UV and Mar resistant sheet:
Clear and tinted sheet. 2440 x 1220 or 2440 x 1830 sheet up to 32mm thick

Rod and Tube is available in natural clear.

Typical Properties of Polycarbonate

These values are representative of those obtained under standard ASTM conditions and should not be used to design parts which function under different conditions.

For more information on Light Transmission of polycarbonate sheet, see our Light Transmission page.

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