Applications of Polycarbonates

Electronic components

Polycarbonate is mainly used for electronic applications that capitalize on its collective safety features. Being a good electrical insulator and having heat resistant and flame retardant properties, it is used in various products associated with electrical and telecommunications hardware. It also serves as dielectric in high stability capacitors.

Construction materials

The second largest consumer of polycarbonates is the construction industry, e.g. for dome lights, flat or curved glazing, and sound walls.

Data storage

A major application of polycarbonate is the production of Compact Discs, DVDs, and Blu-ray Discs. These discs are produced by injection moulding polycarbonate into a mould cavity that has on one side a metal stamper containing a negative image of the disc data, while the other mould side is a mirrored surface.

Automotive, aircraft, and security components

In the automotive industry, injection moulded polycarbonate can produce very smooth surfaces that make it well suited for direct metalized parts such as decorative bezels and optical reflectors.
Its uniform mould shrinkage results in parts with greater accuracy than those made of polypropylene. It can be laminated to make bullet-proof glass, although bullet-resistant is more accurate for the thinner windows, such as are used in bullet-resistant windows in automobiles. The thicker barriers of transparent plastic used in teller's windows and barriers in banks, are also polycarbonate.
The cockpit canopy of the F-22 Raptor jet fighter is made from a piece of high optical quality polycarbonate, and is the largest piece of its type formed in the world.

Niche applications

Many kinds of lenses are manufactured from polycarbonate, including automotive headlamp lenses, lighting lenses, sunglass/eyeglass, lenses, and safety glasses. Other miscellaneous items: MP3/Digital audio player cases, Ocarinas, computer cases, riot shields, visors, instrument panels, blender jars. Many toys and hobby items are made from polycarbonate parts, e.g. fins, gyro mounts, and fly bar locks for use with radio-controlled helicopters.