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Polycarbonate

"Polycarbonate: Unbreakable, Lightweight, UV-Resistant, Versatile, Ideal for Various Applications."

Piedmont Plastics is an industry-leading supplier of polycarbonate plastic sheet and products.

  • Fabrication Support

    Cut-to-Size, Routing

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Product Overview

Performance Characteristics:

  • Easy To Bond
  • Easy To Fabricate
  • Easy To Machine
  • Easy To Thermoform
  • Good Dimensional Stability
  • Good Electrical Insulation
  • Weatherable
  • High Temperature
  • Impact Resistant
  • Low Temperature
  • Strong and Stiff
  • Optical Clarity
  • Printable
  • Wear Resistant
  • Abrasion Resistant
  • Moisture Resistant
  • Patterns and Finishes
  • Typical Properties of Polycarbonate

    Common Properties

    • Common Brand Names Lexan, Makrolon, Hyzod
    • Typical Thickness Size 0.03, 0.04, 0.06, 0.08, 0.093, 0.118, 0.177, 0.236, 0.354, 0.472 inches
    • Typical Lengths 48, 96, 120 inches
    • Typical Widths 48, 60, 72 inches
    • Friendly Names PC, Polycarb
    • Common Profiles Sheets, Panels, Tubes

    Physical Properties

    • Density 0.91 - 2.2g/cm³
    • Water Absorption 0.01 - 0.5%
    • Moisture Absorption at Equilibrium 0.1 - 10%
    • Linear Mold Shrinkage 0.2 - 3.0%
    • Melt Flow 0.1 - 100g/10 min

    Regulations

    • UL-94 Flame Class
    • FDA
    • ASTM/Mil-Spec
    • USDA
    • NSF
    • USP Class VI
    • FAR 25.853 Flammability
    • FAR 25.853 Smoke
    • D635 Self Extinguishing
    • FAR 25.853 Heat Release (OSU 65/65)
    • RoHS Compliant
    • REACH Compliant

    Literature and Data Sheets

    • All Suppliers
    • Mitsubishi Chemical Advanced Materials
    • Palram Americas
    • Piedmont Plastics
    • Plaskolite
    • Primex Plastics
    • Röchling Engineering Plastics
    • Ensinger
    • Altron PC Mitsubishi Chemical Advanced Materials
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    • PALRAM PALSUN® Palram Americas
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    • PALRAM PALSUN® Family of Products Physical Properties Palram Americas
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    • Piedmont Plastics AS2 Polycarbonate Piedmont Plastics
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    • Plaskolite AMGARD Antimicrobial Safety Shield Plaskolite
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    • Plaskolite AMGARD Polycarbonate Sheet Plaskolite
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    • Plaskolite AMGARD Scratch-Resistant Polycarbonate Sheet Plaskolite
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    • Plaskolite AMGARD SR Scratch Resistant Antimicrobial Acrylic and Polycarbonate Sheet Plaskolite
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    • Plaskolite TUFFAK® 15 No Supplier
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    • Plaskolite TUFFAK® AL No Supplier
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    Showing 10 out of 111 items

    Polycarbonate at Piedmont Plastics

    Polycarbonate is a high-performance thermoplastic polymer known for its remarkable blend of features. It's an optically clear or opaque material that offers an exceptional balance of toughness, transparency, and heat resistance. Unlike other plastics and glass, polycarbonate doesn't shatter, which makes it ideal for various applications across industries. Its molecular structure gives it superior strength and flexibility, allowing it to withstand significant physical impacts and temperature extremes without deforming or breaking.

    Benefits of Polycarbonate

    • Impact Resistance: Polycarbonate is virtually unbreakable. It is approximately 200 times stronger than glass and 30 times stronger than acrylic, making it an ideal choice for safety and security applications.

    • Light Weight: Despite its strength, polycarbonate is surprisingly lightweight and six times lighter than glass. This makes it easier to handle, transport, and install compared to heavier alternatives like glass.

    • Optical Clarity: Polycarbonate maintains crystal clear transparency, making it a perfect substitute for glass in applications where visibility is essential.

    • Temperature Tolerance: It can withstand extreme temperatures, both hot and cold, without losing its shape or clarity, ensuring longevity and performance in various environmental conditions.

    • UV Resistance: Many polycarbonate sheets are treated with a UV-resistant coating, which protects the material from the harmful effects of the sun, extending its life and preserving its clarity.

    • Versatility in Design: Polycarbonate can be easily molded and shaped, allowing for flexibility in design and application.

    • Easy to Work With: It can be drilled, cut, and shaped using standard workshop tools, making it convenient for custom applications.

    Common Markets and Applications for Polycarbonate

    Polycarbonate is an attractive material to use in indoor and outdoor settings. Due to the exceptional versatility of polycarbonate, it has multiple uses across many industries, including:

    • Building and Construction: Used for skylights, roofing, windows, and protective barriers polycarbonate panels are often used in the glazing market due to their excellent light transmission, impact resistance, and insulation properties.

    • Automotive Industry: Employed in making headlight lenses, bullet resistant windows, and windshields due to its impact resistance and clarity.

    • Safety and Security: Used in the production of riot shields, bullet resistant sheet, and protective eyewear.

    • Medical Applications: Polycarbonate is used in medical devices and equipment due to its strength, durability, and sterilization compatibility.

    • Signage and Displays: Ideal for creating signs, displays, and point-of-purchase materials due to its clarity and ability to be printed on.

    • Marine: Boat windows and enclosures often use polycarbonate thanks to its crystal clear transparency, weatherability, resistance to moisture, and UV resistance.

    • Aerospace: Utilized in the production of aircraft windows and components, offering a lightweight yet strong alternative to traditional materials.

    Polycarbonate Standard Sizes, Thicknesses, and Colors

    Polycarbonate is available in a variety of standard colors, sizes, and thicknesses.  You can also request to have your polycarbonate order cut-to-size and machined into fabricated parts to meet the specifications of your application.

    Polycarbonate Sheet Dimensions 12 in x 12 in – 72 in x 120 in
    Polycarbonate Sheet Thicknesses 0.030 in – 4 in
    Polycarbonate Rod Outside Diameter: 0.125 in – 8 in
    Polycarbonate Tube Outside Diameter: 0.375 in – 6 in
    Polycarbonate Colors Clear, White, Black, Bronze, Gray, and other colors available upon request.
    Polycarbonate Brands TUFFAK®, PALSUN®

    Popular Polycarbonate Product Options

    TUFFAK® - Perfectly suited for uses in architecture, lighting, security, signage, and transportation, TUFFAK polycarbonate sheets perfectly merge transparency with robustness, offering pristine, uninterrupted visibility. This nearly indestructible sheet excels in a variety of creative and challenging settings. It endures tough conditions, maintaining its exceptional quality and delivering an impressive appearance that lasts for years.

    PALSUN® - The PALSUN product line includes basic, UV-protected, and specialty sheets. These sheets provide the transparency of glass while being less than half its weight, along with exceptional impact resistance. PALSUN is versatile in its usage, as it can be cold bent, fabricated, or formed, making it perfect for uses like sign faces, skylights, glazing, and machine guards.

    Buy Polycarbonate From Piedmont Plastics

    Only the best polycarbonate materials are sold at Piedmont Plastics, and we understand the importance of using quality materials in your projects. No matter your industry, we offer the perfect combination of product expertise and material selection to ensure you’re successful.

    Ready to experience the Piedmont difference? Get in touch with us today! Our team is ready to assist you in selecting the right polycarbonate material for your needs. Visit our website or call us to place your order.

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