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Universal Engineering Plastic Polycarbonate: Excellent Properties Empower Industrial Upgrade in Multiple Fields
Time : 2026-02-06
In the modern industrial material system, polycarbonate (PC) has always occupied a core position, known as the "universal engineering plastic" due to its balanced comprehensive performance. In recent years, with the rapid development of new energy, low-altitude economy, high-end manufacturing and other fields, the technical advantages and application value of polycarbonate have become more prominent. Its core technical parameters, product characteristics and industrial applications have attracted widespread attention from the industry, becoming an important material support for promoting industrial upgrading.
Polycarbonate is a high molecular polymer containing carbonate groups in its molecular chain. At present, the main industrially mass-produced type is aromatic polycarbonate. Its core technical parameters are outstanding, laying the foundation for its excellent service performance. In terms of light transmittance, polycarbonate can reach more than 90%, close to ordinary glass, and has good UV resistance, which is not easy to yellow or attenuate in light transmittance when exposed to sunlight for a long time. In terms of temperature adaptability, its long-term working temperature range is stable at -60℃ to 130℃, it can withstand high temperature of 150℃ in the short term, the melting temperature is 220℃-230℃, and the decomposition temperature is higher than 300℃, which can meet the processing and use needs of different scenarios.
In terms of mechanical properties, polycarbonate performs even better. Its tensile strength can reach 60-70MPa, and its unnotched impact strength is extremely high, several times that of ordinary plastics. Therefore, it is also commonly known as "bulletproof glue", which is not easy to break and has excellent impact resistance. At the same time, it has good rigidity and toughness, achieving "a combination of rigidity and flexibility". In addition, it has excellent electrical insulation performance and high volume resistivity, which can meet the insulation requirements of the electronic and electrical field. It can reach UL94 V-2 level flame retardancy in its original state, and the flame retardant level can be further improved through modification treatment to adapt to high-end scenario needs.
In terms of product characteristics, in addition to its outstanding comprehensive performance, polycarbonate also has the advantages of light weight and good dimensional stability. Its density is only 1.20-1.22g/cm³, about half of that of glass, which is convenient for processing and transportation. It has flexible molding processes and can be processed and formed through various processes such as injection molding, extrusion, blow molding and compression molding, and can be made into products of various complex shapes to meet the customized needs of different fields. At the same time, its shortcomings can be effectively optimized through modification technology. Aiming at the problems such as poor fatigue resistance, sensitivity to notches and general chemical resistance, the relevant properties can be significantly improved by adding modifiers such as glass fiber, flame retardant and impact modifier, expanding the application boundary.
At present, polycarbonate has been widely penetrated into many key fields and has become an indispensable core material. In the new energy automobile field, it is used to manufacture intelligent headlight covers, window glass, interior parts, etc., which are not only light and impact-resistant, but also can improve the energy saving and safety of vehicles. In the low-altitude economy field, it is applied to aircraft cockpit covers, instrument panels and other components, ensuring flight safety with its excellent light transmittance and impact resistance. In the medical field, it is used to manufacture hemodialyzers, syringes, medical device housings, etc., which meet medical-grade hygiene standards, are non-toxic and sterilization-resistant. In addition, it is also widely used in electronic and electrical appliances, building materials, optical instruments, packaging and other fields.
With the popularization of environmental protection concepts and the continuous breakthrough of technology, the non-phosgene environmentally friendly synthesis process has gradually replaced the traditional process, which not only reduces environmental pollution, but also improves product quality. At the same time, the continuous upgrading of modification technology has continuously optimized the performance of polycarbonate and expanded its application scenarios. In the future, with the increasing demand for high-end materials in various fields, polycarbonate will rely on its unique technical advantages and product characteristics to continuously empower industrial upgrading, play a more important role in high-end manufacturing and emerging industries, and promote the high-quality development of the material industry.