Polycarbonate is known for its superior strength, making it the ideal material for appliances, bullet-proof glass, jet plane windshields, and the list goes on.
Ecoshield have developed a World’s First Polycarbonate timber and concrete coating, but what is Polycarbonate?
Polycarbonate is a high-performance tough, amorphous and transparent thermoplastic polymer with organic functional groups linked together by carbonate groups (–O–(C=O)–O–) and offers a unique combination of properties. Polycarbonate is popularly used as an engineering plastic owing to its unique features that include:
High impact strength
High dimensional stability
Good electrical properties, amongst others
Though the characteristics of polycarbonate are similar to polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA, acrylic), but polycarbonate is stronger, usable in a wider temperature range (Melting point: 155°C) but more expensive. Some of the common applications are compact disc, safety helmets, bullet-proof glass, car headlamp lenses, baby feeding bottles, roofing and glazing etc.
MAIN CHARACTERISTICS AND PROPERTIES OF POLYCARBONATE
Polycarbonate is an ideal material well known and widely used in the industry for its versatile characteristics, eco-friendly processing and recyclability.
Let’s discuss Polycarbonate properties in detail:
Toughness and High Impact Strength – Polycarbonate has high strength making it resistant to impact and fracture, and further providing safety and comfort in applications that demand high reliability and performance. The polymer has density 1.2 – 1.22 g/cm3), maintains toughness up to 140°C and down to -20°C. Also, Polycarbonate’s are virtually unbreakable.
Transmittance – Polycarbonate is an extremely clear plastic that can transmit over 90% of light as good as glass.
Lightweight – This feature allows virtually unlimited possibilities to OEMs to design as compared with glass. The property also allows to increase efficiency, make installation process easier and reduce overall transportation costs.
Protection from UV Radiations – Polycarbonates can be designed to block ultraviolet radiation and provide 100% protection from harmful UV rays.
Optical Nature – For having amorphous structure, Polycarbonate offers excellent optical properties. The refractive index of clear polycarbonate is 1.584.
Chemical Resistance – Polycarbonate exhibits good chemical resistance against diluted acids, aliphatic hydrocarbons and alcohols; moderate chemical resistance against oils and greases.
Heat Resistance – Offering good heat resistance, Polycarbonates are thermally stable up to 135°C. Further heat resistance can be improved by adding flame retardants without impacting material properties.
Other Properties:
Good electrical insulation properties, that are not influenced by water or temperature
Good abrasion resistance
Resistant to repeated steam sterilisation
More efficient than other engineering thermoplastics
POLYCARBONATE USES AND APPLICATIONS -
NOT JUST FOR POLYCARBONATE FLOOR COATINGS
The characteristics of Polycarbonate provide design freedom to product designers, engineers and OEMs making it an ideal material for the use in several applications as detailed below:
Appliances - Polycarbonates and their blends are used in appliances, such as refrigerators, air conditioners, coffee machines, food mixers, washing machines, hair dryers, steam iron water tanks etc. The use of Polycarbonate allows shape freedom through its wide range of mechanical properties and enhances robustness and visual appeal of a product.
Automotive / transportation - Being lightweight and transparent, Polycarbonate is used to create an eye-catching design and enhance vehicle efficiency by reducing weight without affecting durability and improving aerodynamics of a vehicle. Its high heat resistance allows its use in light housing, headlamp bezel and lenses. Polycarbonate blends are best suitable for a car’s interior and exterior body parts for having rigidity and excellent creep resistance.
Building and construction - Polycarbonate is known as a suitable alternative to glass in various glazing applications, such as agricultural houses, industry or public building, facades, security windows, shelters and skylights for having properties of high impact strength, transparency, resistance to UV light and weatherability.
Consumer products - Polycarbonate has low internal stress and high dimensional accuracy making it suitable for the manufacturing CDs/DVDs. Also, its high transparency allows to design innovative products for everyday use, such as safety goggles, ophthalmic lenses, large-volume water bottles etc. Additionally, it is optically clear making it ideal for objects, including shatterproof sunglasses, face shields, protective glasses or even as a component in bullet-proof windows.
Electrical and electronics - In E&E market, Polycarbonate is used in many applications, such as circuit breakers, electrical housing, lighting applications, domestic switches, plug & sockets, switch gears, relays, connectors, EVs and battery packaging material. The strength of polycarbonate helps to prevent housing units from breaking and Polycarbonate films help to prevent scratches on the screens.
Medical - Polycarbonates are majorly used in medical applications for owning excellent combination of properties, such as clarity, heat resistance, dimensional stability and toughness. Polycarbonate can be sterilised by ethylene oxide, high energy radiation and limited autoclave cycles. Typical medical applications include surgical instruments, drug delivery systems, hemodialysis membranes, blood reservoirs, blood filters etc., where polycarbonates have been able to replace glass and metal.
Food contact - Because of its heat resistance and shatter resistance, polycarbonate is used in applications for direct contact with foods and beverages. Food storage containers made from Polycarbonate are reusable, help to preserve freshness, protect foods from contamination and can be conveniently used in a refrigerator or microwave.
Other applications include:
Telecom - Mobile phone housings
Urban equipment - Street lamp covers, anti-vandal glazing, food processors
Sports - Ski clamp parts, helmets, protective eye visors to protect children and athletes from injuries
These are the reasons that Ecoshield's Carbon Coat polycarbonate floor coating for concrete and timber have been developed. Our coatings are tough, totally UV stable with superior clarity which helps to bring out the natural beauty of resurfaced timber and concrete floors.
Contact us if you would like more information.