Polycarbonate Solid Sheets, Rod & Tube

Key Properties / Strengths / Limits of Polycarbonate

Key Properties

Polycarbonate is a lightweight, highly unbreakable plastic found in items such as cars, mobile phones, computers, sporting goods, consumer electronics, household appliances, CDs, DVDs, and food storage. The tough, durable, shatter and heat-resistant material is ideal for a many applications. Its scratch resistance is lower than that of acrylic as is its UV stability.

Strengths

• Very high toughness, down to -20°C
• Transparent, light transmission as good as glass
• Good electrical insulation properties, not influenced by water or temperature
• Good abrasion resistance
• High mechanical retention, up to 140°C
• FDA compliant
• Resistance to repeated steam sterilisations
• Intrinsic flame retardant, more efficient than other engineering thermoplastics

Limits

• Low fatigue endurance
• Mechanical properties degrade after prolonged exposure to water over 60°C
• Attacked by hydrocarbons and bases
• Yellows after long exposure to UV

Chemical Name

Polycarbonate
(PC)

Additional Information about Polycarbonate Solid Sheets, Rod & Tube

Polycarbonate Solid Sheet (Lexan®, Makrolon®, Palsun® etc)

Abbreviation: PC

This data does not appy to Multiwall sheets. Please request data separately.

Density g/cm^3	Shrinkage %	UV Resistance	Transparency (% visible light transmission) %	H2O Absorption After 24 hours %	Maximum Continuous Working Temperature (Zero Tensile effect after 11 years)
					Low °C	High °C
1.20	0.5 to 0.7	Fair: but we have UV protected grades	87 to 89	0.1 to 0.2	- 30	+ 115
Hardness Shore D Mpa	Tensile Strength at Break Mpa	Elongation at Break %	Flexural Modulas Gpa	Toughness by Notched IZOD Impact at Room Temperature J/m	Fire Resistance LOI %	Dielectric Strength (Insulation Value) KV/mm thickness
85 to 95	55 to 77	100 to 150	2.1 to 2.5	650 to 950	26	35

Polishing
 

Edges cannot be polished very highly. At best we can scrape it to a satin finish at a cost. "Obscure" or "Embossed" Polycarbonate for Shower Screens etc - almost unbreakable. (unlike Acrylic) Obscured hand to show degree of obscuring. This is what is typically used as shower screening. Patterns may vary from exactly that shown due to supplier variation.

Technical Information about Polycarbonate Solid Sheets, Rod & Tube

Colours	Thickness (mm)	Max Sizes (NB: We cut to size from these)	Price Guide per Square Metre (Material Price Only)
Clear with added UV protection	2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 10, 12	3M x 2M	2mm £12 to 12mm £135
Clear with Standard UV Resistance	1, 1.5 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 10, 12	2050 x 1250mm 3M x 2M	Minimum 1 sheet of 1 or 1.5mm thick about £35 to £41 per sheet Net exc VAT & delivery 2mm £18 to 12mm £135
Clear with Standard UV Resistance	3, 4, 6	6100 x 2050mm	Stocks Vary. Please ask
Opal	2, 3, 4, 5, 6	3M x 2M	2mm c£20 - 5mm £42
Bronze	3, 4, 5, 6	3M x 2M	Please ask
Obscure	3, 4, 5, 6	2440 x1220mm some 3050 x 2050mm	Please ask
Mirror	3, 6	2440 x1220mm	Please ask
Rod & Tube	Rod 6 - 150mm outside diameter and Clear tube 10 - 250mm outside diameter	Clear	Please ask. Minimum amounts.

Colour Information about Polycarbonate Solid Sheets, Rod & Tube

Polycarbonate Solid sheets are available in Clear with a UV protective coating offering around 10 years protection depandant on on siting. It is also available in a clear with a hard coating to increase surface resistance to impact, scratching and dirt gathering.

It is also available in Opal, Bronze and Obscure Embossed which is suitable for shower screens.

Polycarbonate also is available with a mirror finish.