Volume 4 - Loctite.ph

Polycarbonate (PC)ThermoplasticTrade Names• Calibre• Karlex• Lexan• Makrolon• Novarex• Panlite• SinvetManufacturerDow ChemicalFerro CorporationGeneral ElectricMiles Inc.Mitsubishi ChemicalTeijin Chem Ltd.Enichem ElastomersGeneral DescriptionIn the polycarbonate resin, carbonate groups are used to link groups ofdihydric or polyhydric phenols. General-purpose polycarbonate isformed by reacting bisphenol A with phosgene, but formulations usingother polyhydric phenols are available. These include specialty resinswhich meet industry codes for flame retardance and smoke density,and resins with increased melt strength for extrusion and blow molding.Polycarbonate is a versatile and popular blend material for polyesterand ABS, and is widely used in the medical device industry as areplacement for glass. Additives and coatings are commonly used andcan greatly improve creep resistance, mold shrinkage, tensile modulus,thermal stability, weatherability, and all strength characteristics ofstandard polycarbonate. In 2004, the price of PC ranged approximatelyfrom $2.00 to $5.00 per pound at truckload quantities.General PropertiesPolycarbonate offers a unique combination of outstanding clarity andhigh impact strength. In addition, it is very dimensionally stable andhas low flammability. These characteristics make polycarbonate wellsuited for light transmission applications, such as automotive tail lighthousings. Due to the low levels of monomers and catalysts used inprocessing polycarbonate, it is generally biocompatible and suited foruse in medical applications where device surfaces may come intocontact with blood or other bodily fluids. PC offers a limited resistanceto chemicals and is soluble in many organic solvents. Solvent weldingor adhesively joining parts makes PC prone to stress cracking. Thiscan be overcome by selecting an adhesive with a rapid curemechanism, an adhesive with a low tendency to induce stresscracking, and/or annealing the part prior to adhesive application.Typical Properties of Polycarbonate (PC)American EngineeringProcessing Temperature 500°F to 575°F 260°C to 302°CLinear Mold Shrinkage 0.003 to 0.007 in./in. 0.003 to 0.007 cm/cmMelting Point – –Density 70.5 to 80.5 lb./ft. 3 1.13 to 1.29 g/cm 3Tensile Strength, Yield 8.4 to 9.6 lb./in. 2 x 10 3 5.9 to 6.7 kg/cm 2 x 10 2Tensile Strength, Break 7.4 to 10.9 lb./in. 2 x 10 3 5.2 to 7.7 kg/cm 2 x 10 2Elongation, Break 97.0 to 136.0% 97.0 to 136.0%Tensile Modulus 3.1 to 3.5 lb./in. 2 x 10 5 2.2 to 2.5 kg/cm 2 x 10 4Flexural Strength, Yield 12.4 to 14.0 lb./in. 2 x 10 3 8.7 to 9.8 kg/cm 2 x 10 2Flexural Modulus 3.2 to 3.5 lb./in. 2 x 10 5 2.2 to 2.5 kg/cm 2 x 10 4Compressive Strength 9.9 to 11.1 lb./in. 2 x 10 3 7.0 to 7.8 kg/cm 2 x 10 2Izod Notched, R.T. 11.3 to 17.0 ft.-lb./in. 60.8 to 91.8 kg cm/cmHardness R120 - R125 Rockwell R120 - R125 RockwellThermal Conductivity 1.3 to 1.6 BTU-in./hr.-ft. 2 -°F 0.19 to 0.23 W/m-°KLinear ThermalExpansionDeflection Temperature@ 264 psiDeflection Temperature@ 66 psiContinuousService Temperature2.9 to 3.9 in./in.-°F x 10 -5 2.2 to 7.0 cm/cm-°C x10 -5Typical Applications• Packaging – Reusable bottles, frozen foods, large water bottles• Food Service – Beverage pitchers, mugs, food processor bowls,tableware, microwave cookware• Automotive – Lamp housings and lenses, parts,electrical components, instrument panels• Medical – Filter housings, tubing connectors,surgical staplers, eyewear• Miscellaneous – Bulletproofing, computer housings,aircraft interiorsSI200°F to 350°F 98°C to 177°C280°F to 350°F 138°C to 177°C240°F to 275°F 116°C to 135°CDielectric Strength 375 to 500 V/10 -3 in. 1.5 to 2.0 V/mm x 10 4Dielectric Constant@ 1 MHzDissipation Factor@ 1 MHzWater Absorption,24 hr.2.7 to 3.2 2.7 to 3.20.009 to 0.010 0.009 to 0.0100.1 to 0.3% 0.1 to 0.3%40The Loctite ® Design Guide for Bonding Plastics, Volume 4