Polycarbonate (PC)

PC has excellent electrical insulation properties and is generally suitable for contact with food. The temperature resistance ranges from -60 to max. 135°C. The plastic is relatively resistant to high-energy radiation, but is sensitive to scratches and stress cracks and only partially resistant to chemicals.

Main features

• Good optical properties
• High impact strength
• Heat deflection temperature 130°C

Two fundamentally different qualities are available for the application; a translucent industrial quality and a crystal-clear (transparent), optical quality for break-resistant glazing.

The only translucent industrial grade is particularly suitable for technical components for which no special optical properties, such as high transparency, are required. The industrial grade focusses on mechanical, dielectric and thermal properties.

In contrast, optical quality is primarily used in glazing in machine, plant and vehicle construction, where high transparency and corresponding break resistance are required.

The diagram shows a comparison of the temperature resistance (melting temperature, heat deflection temperature and long-term service temperature) of various engineering thermoplastics. The heat deflection temperature in particular helps to assess the behaviour of a plastic under mechanical stress and the influence of temperature.