Lexan
Description
[GE Structured Products] A registered trademark for a thermoplastic Polycarbonate sheet that was first marketed in 1959. Lexan sheets are clear, strong, and have good weather resistance. They have a lower softening temperature than Plexiglas and do not fracture as easily. Most of the Lexan sheets are UV stabilized to provide a resistance to yellowing that is similar to acrylic sheets. The manufacturer lists the following cleaners as compatible with Lexan sheets: Freon, VM&P naphtha, Windex with Ammonia D [Dracket Products], Top Job [Proctor & Gamble], Joy [Proctor & Gamble], Palmolive Liquid [Colgate Palmolive] and Formula 409 [Clorox Co.],
Synonyms and Related Terms
polycarbonate; Makrofol [Bayer]; Makrolon [Bayer}]; PC1000 [Quadrant]; Tuffak [Arkema]
Applications
Risks
Polycarbonate is derived from and releases bisphenol A upon degradation via hydrolysis. Bleach (sodium hypochlorite) and alkali cleaners catalyze the release of bisphenol A (BPA) from polycarbonate (Hunt 2003, Koehler 2003).
Physical and Chemical Properties
Soluble in benzene, gasoline, acetone, carbon tetrachloride.
Additional Information
GE: Lexan Website