Polycarbonate (PC) plastics are naturally transparent amorphous thermoplastic. Although they are made commercially available in a variety of colors (perhaps translucent and perhaps not), the raw material allows for the internal transmission of light nearly in the same capacity as glass. Polycarbonate polymers are used to produce a variety of materials and are particularly useful when impact resistance and/or transparency are a product requirement (e.g. in bullet-proof glass). PC is commonly used for plastic lenses in eyewear, in medical devices, automotive components, protective gear, greenhouses, Digital Disks (CDs, DVDs, and Blu-ray), and exterior lighting fixtures. Polycarbonate also has a very good heat resistance and can be combined with flame retardant materials without significant material degradation. Polycarbonate plastics are engineering plastics in that they are typically used for more capable, robust materials such as in impact-resistant “glass-like” surfaces.

Polycarbonate is an incredibly useful plastic for applications requiring transparency and high impact resistance. It is a lighter alternative to glass and a natural UV filter, so it is often used in eyewear. At Creative Mechanisms, we have used Polycarbonate in a number of applications across a range of industries. A few examples include the following:

• clear windows on prototype models

• color tinted translucent prototypes

• clear tubes for sports equipment prototypes

• diffusers and light pipes for LEDs

• clear molds for urethane and silicone casting

• 3D printed models for high heat applications when ABS is not an option

• machinery guards

Polycarbonate Properties 

Polycarbonate Grades

-PC 1012

Polycarbonate (PC) plastics are naturally transparent amorphous thermoplastic.

Polycarbonates used in engineering are strong, tough materials, and some grades are optically transparent. They are easily worked, molded, and thermoformed.

Application:

This grade is suitable for injection modeling and Extrusion, Business Machines, Packaging, Sports, Appliances, Electrical, Lighting, Wire and Cable, Automotive, Sheets

-PC 0407

Polycarbonate (PC) plastics are naturally transparent amorphous thermoplastic.

Polycarbonates used in engineering are strong, tough materials, and some grades are optically transparent. They are easily worked, molded, and thermoformed.

Application:

This grade is suitable for injection modeling and Extrusion, Business Machines, Packaging, Sports, Appliances, Electrical, Lighting, Wire and Cable, Automotive, Sheets

-PC 1215

Polycarbonate (PC) plastics are naturally transparent amorphous thermoplastic.

Polycarbonates used in engineering are strong, tough materials, and some grades are optically transparent. They are easily worked, molded, and thermoformed.

Application:

Suitable for injection modeling, Optical, Sports, Electrical, Wire and Cable, Sheets