Difference between revisions of "Polycarbonate"
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== Synonyms and Related Terms == | == Synonyms and Related Terms == | ||
− | Brand Names: Lexan (General Electric) | + | Brand Names: [[Lexan]] (General Electric) |
+ | |||
== Applications == | == Applications == | ||
* Transparent tubes and rods | * Transparent tubes and rods |
Revision as of 08:44, 5 July 2020
Description
A group of thermoplastic polymers containingin carbonate groups (O-CO-O) in their chemical structures. Polycarbonates are strong, tough durable materials that tend to be easily worked and molded. The visibly transparent plastics have a high impact resistant but low scratch resistance and are often added to windshield and glasses to increase their strength. Polycarbonates doe not conduct electricity and are heat-resistant, thus they are often used as insulators and capacitors. Polycarbonate is a term that is often applied solely for polycarbonate of bisphenol A.
Synonyms and Related Terms
Brand Names: Lexan (General Electric)
Applications
- Transparent tubes and rods
- Transparent films and sheets
- Flat and curved glazing
Personal Risks
Bleach (sodium hypochlorite) and alkali cleaners catalyze the release of bisphenol A (BPA) from polycarbonate (Hunt 2003, Koehler 2003).
Collection Risks
Standard resins alone are not suitable for long-term exposure to UV radiation. They will yellow with long exposure to sunlight.
Environmental Risks
- It is listed as “other” or “7” on the resin identification code (RIC) list
- Polycarbonate can form bisphenol A (BPA) in the environment. It is on the watch list of many countries including the United States and Germany.
- Thermal degradation polycarbonates produce phenol and phenol derivatives, known environmental pollutants (Collin 2012, Pollution Database 2017)
Physical and Chemical Properties
- Resistant to dilute acids, alcohol and halogenated hydrocarbons.
- Affected by concentrated acids, alkalies, aromatic solvents, and ketone
- Tg = 147 c
- Density = 1.2 g/ml
- Refractive index = 1.584-1.586
Working Properties
Can be folded/bent using sheet metal techniques.
Forms/Sizes
Resources and Citations
- Contributions: Molly McGath, AIC Plastics Panel, 2020.
- Hunt, PA; Kara E. Koehler; Martha Susiarjo; Craig A. Hodges; Arlene Ilagan; Robert C. Voigt; Sally Thomas; Brian F. Thomas; Terry J. Hassold (2003). "Bisphenol A Exposure Causes Meiotic Aneuploidy in the Female Mouse". Current Biology. 13 (7): 546–553. doi:10.1016/S0960-9822(03)00189-1. PMID 12676084
- Koehler, KE; Robert C. Voigt; Sally Thomas; Bruce Lamb; Cheryl Urban; Terry Hassold; Patricia A. Hunt (2003). "When disaster strikes: rethinking caging materials". Lab Animal. 32 (4): 24–27. doi:10.1038/laban0403-24. PMID 19753748. Archived from the original on 2009-07-06. Retrieved 2008-05-06.
- Collin, S.; Bussière, P. -O.; Thérias, S.; Lambert, J. -M.; Perdereau, J.; Gardette, J. -L. (2012-11-01). "Physicochemical and mechanical impacts of photo-ageing on bisphenol a polycarbonate". Polymer Degradation and Stability. 97 (11): 2284–2293. doi:10.1016/j.polymdegradstab.2012.07.036.
- "Pollution Database". pollution.unibuc.ro. Archived from the original on 2017-12-29. Retrieved 2016-11-14.