Polycarbonate

Polycarbonates are a particular group of thermoplastics. They are easily worked, molded, and thermoformed; as such, these plastics are very widely used in modern manufacturing. They are called polycarbonates because they are polymers having monomers groups linked together by carbonate groups (-O-CO-O-) in a long molecular chain.

Related Topics:
Thermoplastic - Molded - Thermoformed - Plastic - Manufacturing - Polymer - Monomer

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The most common type of polycarbonate plastic is one made from Bisphenol A, in which groups from Bisphenol A are linked together by carbonate groups in a polymer chain. This polycarbonate is a very durable material, and can be laminated to make bullet-proof "glass", though “bullet-resistant” would be more accurate. The characteristics of polycarbonate are quite like those of polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA; acrylic), but polycarbonate is stronger and more expensive. This polymer is highly transparent to visible light and has better light transmission characteristics than many kinds of glass.

Related Topics:
Bisphenol A - Bullet-proof "glass" - Polymethyl methacrylate - PMMA - Polymer - Transparent - Visible light - Glass

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Polycarbonate has :

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

• a density of 1.20 g/cm³
• a use range from -100°C to +135°C
• a melting point around 250°C
• a refractive index equal to 1.585 ± 0.001
• a light transmission index equal to 90% ± 1%

Polycarbonate is becoming more common in housewares as well as laboratories and in industry. It is often used to create protective features, for example in banks as well as vandal-proof windows and lighting lenses for many buildings. Other products made from polycarbonate include sunglass/eyeglass lenses, compact discs and DVDs. It is the major component of one variety of Nalgene bottles.

Related Topics:
Compact disc - DVD - Nalgene

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

LEXAN® is the registered trademark for polycarbonate plastic manufactured (from Bisphenol A) by General Electric. MERLON® is the registered trademark used by the Mobay Chemical Company.

Related Topics:
LEXAN® - General Electric - Mobay Chemical Company

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

 
Polycarbonate: Synthesis ►