Polycarbonate solid sheets are made from polycarbonate resin, a type of plastic. Polycarbonate resin is a type of plastic that is highly resistant to heat, cold, and chemicals. This makes polycarbonate resin ideal for applications that require extended periods of use in very harsh conditions, such as in exterior windows.
Polycarbonate resin solid sheets have several applications that require the material to have some level of resistance to heat, cold, and chemicals. These include:
Exterior Windows:
Polycarbonate resin solid sheets are used in exterior windows to prevent the materials inside from the elements.
Laminates:
Polycarbonate resin solid sheets are often used as a base for laminate panels. The sheets provide the laminates with their excellent resistance to heat and chemicals.
Properties of the Material
Polycarbonate is a type of plastic that is made from carbon and oxygen. The resin is derived by polymerization of the carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide gases.
Polycarbonate resin is produced by reacting the carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide gases in the presence of a catalyst. The resulting polymer is then heated to around 260°C and rapidly cooled to form a solid. The end product of the reaction is a thermoset plastic with excellent resistance to heat, cold, and chemicals. Other names that are associated with polycarbonate include: polyoxymethylene, Lexan, and PMMA.
Polycarbonate Resin
Polycarbonate resin is the material that is used to make polycarbonate solid sheets. The resin is a type of plastic that is able to withstand high temperatures, high degrees of humidity, and most chemicals. The resin is made up of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen. Polycarbonate resin is able to maintain its integrity even when exposed to strong acids, bases, alcohols, petroleum products, and solvents.
Polycarbonate resin is produced in a two-step manufacturing process. First, carbonate is introduced into a solution of dichloromethane (DCM). The carbonate reacts with the dichloromethane to form carbon dioxide and chloroform. The chloroform is then separated from the dichloromethane and condensed. This process is repeated a total of three times to produce the final polycarbonate resin.
Polycarbonate Resin Solid Sheets: Uses
As indicated by its composition, polycarbonate has a variety of applications that make use of its heat resistance and chemical resistance. With regard to the latter, the material is often used in laminates. These are panels that contain multiple layers of different materials. Polycarbonate resin is a common material used in the production of both exterior and interior laminates.
Polycarbonate is also used in roofing. The material is used in roofing panels because of its excellent temperature resistance. This helps prevent roof damage caused by extreme temperatures, such as from hail or high winds.
Important Polycarbonate Resin Properties
Section Modulus: The modulus of a material is the bonding force between two polymers. Since polycarbonate is a type of plastic, the modulus of polycarbonate is very high, which means the material is very strong. However, it is also brittle and subject to damage when bent or flexed.
Toughness: To qualify as a “tough plastic,” a material must be able to withstand a minimum amount of abuse without sustaining permanent damage. When polycarbonate is rated as a “tough plastic,” it means the material can endure minimal scratching, chipping, or cracking.
Impact Resistance: Impact resistance is the ability of a material to absorb energy from an impact and then safely disperse the energy throughout the material without transferring it to other parts of the material. When polycarbonate is rated as an impact-resistant material, it means the material can withstand a certain amount of impact without sustaining damage.
Cold Resistance: Polycarbonate is a thermoplastic with excellent cold resistance. This means it can withstand freezing and will return to its original shape when the temperature is raised.
Heat Resistance: For the most part, polycarbonate is a heat resistant material. The only time it is considered a heat transmission material is when it is used for below 90 degree application.
Advantages of Polycarbonate Resin Solid Sheets
Polycarbonate resin solid sheets have several advantages, the most notable of which is their excellent chemical resistance. The material is often used in exterior and interior laminates, where it can be exposed to a variety of chemicals. Without compromising its structural integrity, polycarbonate resin can resist exposure to toxic chemicals, such as:
- Acids: The resistance to heat, cold, and chemicals makes polycarbonate resistant to acids. Acids can therefore be used in the same way as they are used on wooden structures.
- Fumes: Polycarbonate resin solid sheets are resistant to the fuming of chemicals. This means that toxic fumes from the products can be safely vented without causing any damage to the polycarbonate sheets.
- Ozone: Ozone is used to bleach wool and other types of fabrics. It can also be used to bleach cotton and other natural fabrics. Polycarbonate resin is resistant to this form of bleaching, which means that ozone can be safely vented without causing any damage to the material.
Disadvantages of Polycarbonate Resin Solid Sheets
While there are many advantages associated with polycarbonate resin, there are also disadvantages. The main disadvantage of the material is its high price. This is why polycarbonate is primarily used in laminates where the sheets serve as a base for other materials. Another disadvantage of the material is that it can be brittle. The brittleness of polycarbonate can make it difficult to work with. It can also weaken concrete and masonry structures.
Conclusion
Polycarbonate resin solid sheets are a type of plastic that is used in a variety of applications. The most notable of which is its use in laminates. The material is highly resistant to heat, cold, and chemicals. The resin is also used in roofing and other structures where it can provide protection from extreme temperatures. Polycarbonate resin is therefore an excellent material for any project that requires extended periods of use in harsh conditions.
