• Menu
  • Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

IGD LEADERS

Business & Leadership

  • Home
  • About
  • Business
  • Leadership
  • Marketing
  • Money
  • Contact
  • Home
  • About
  • Business
  • Leadership
  • Marketing
  • Money
  • Contact

An Interesting Insight Into How Polycarbonate Is Made

Polycarbonate is a material known for its excellent impact resistance and durability. It is often used instead of glass in the making of greenhouses and skylights, but what gives it its strength? Here is an interesting insight into how polycarbonate is made.

What Is Polycarbonate?

Polycarbonate is an amorphous kind of thermoplastic generally used to produce items that demand a high impact resistance and transparency. Examples include greenhouses (polycarbonate is an excellent replacement for glass and acrylic), skylights, and bulletproof windows.

In addition, polycarbonate is also used in the automotive and electronic industries and for manufacturing medical devices.

The material was invented by Dr Hermann Schnell in 1953 and was first introduced commercially by German company Bayern in 1958.

How Is Polycarbonate Produced?

Polycarbonate is essentially a copolymer composed of various monomers. Each of these monomers has different properties, including:

  • UV resistance
  • High resistance to abrasion
  • Scratch resistance
  • Resistance to heat and chemical action
  • Glare reduction
  • Durability

Polycarbonate is produced through a method called polymerization of bisphenol A. Bisphenol A (BPA) is a liquid derived from chemical compounds benzene and phosgene. The resultant product is the polymer material known for its strength and versatility.

Over 5,000 Kt of Polycarbonate Are Produced Globally Every Year

Polycarbonate is such a commonly used material that it is produced in impressive quantities. According to a recent study, the quantity of polycarbonate produced globally exceeded 5,000 kilotons each year in the past five years. If this sounds impressive, know that the previsions expect an exponential increase.

In fact, the total production capacity is expected to exceed 3.15 million tons in China alone in the following years.

Currently, China and the United States of America are the main producers of polycarbonate globally, with South Korea, Germany, and Japan following closely.

Polycarbonate Is Available in a Number of Grades

Polycarbonate sheeting is perhaps the most popular polycarbonate grade. However, this material can be made in a wide range of grades, depending on the application. For instance, you can find polycarbonate films, flame retardant panels, reinforced and stress crack resistant sheets, and so on.

To manufacture the different grades, manufacturers melt polycarbonate pellets and mould them into the desired shape. Various processes involved include injection moulding, extrusion, vacuum forming, mould blowing, and structural foam moulding.

Fire Doesn’t Degrade Polycarbonate

An interesting characteristic about polycarbonate – and the one that allows manufacturers to produce different polycarbonate grades – is the fact that it doesn’t degrade at high temperatures.

Unlike most plastics, polycarbonate liquefies when it reaches the melting point of 155°C. Its amorphous composition allows the material to maintain its structure up to that point, and the material can be melted, moulded, cooled down, and then reheated over and over again.

By contrast, most other plastics can only be heated once during the moulding process and will degrade if reheated again. Thanks to this characteristic, polycarbonate is one of the most versatile and eco-friendly types of plastic you can find.

Previous Post: « 5 Tips to Recover from Long Bike Rides
Next Post: Essential Tools Needed For Start-Up Contractors »

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Primary Sidebar

About Us

Hey Everyone! It's me, Lisa.  I'm the writer and editor of IGD Leaders-your complete online resources in business, leadership, and careers.

I balance my time with taking care of my family while learning, researching, and writing about the things I'm passionate about. My focus is to create a connection and draw inspiration from businesses, leaders, or entrepreneurs in the food and consumer industries. Read More…

Facebook

Business Leaders

Newsletter

Connect With Us

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter

Latest Posts

Know Your Stuff: Important Steps for Safe and Secure Digital Registration at Online Casinos

5 Financial Red Flags to Watch for in Your 20s

Understanding the role of social media in the growth of the sports betting world

Luck Favors the Prepared: How to Build a Strong Case for Sole Custody

Want to Start a Small Business? Here’s Why Sports Betting Is One of the Most Profitable Opportunities

A Complete Guide to Bitcoin Casino Bonuses

The Business of Sports Betting: How Mobile Apps Are Changing the Industry

Thinking Outside the Box: Unique Strategies for Homebuyers in Today’s Market

The Evolution of Online Gambling: Exploring the Growth of Digital Casinos

Footer

About Us

Hey Everyone! It's me, Lisa.  I'm the writer and editor of IGD Leaders-your complete online resources in business, leadership, and careers.

I balance my time with taking care of my family while learning, researching, and writing about the things I'm passionate about. My focus is to create a connection and draw inspiration from businesses, leaders, or entrepreneurs in the food and consumer industries. Read More…

Latest Post

  • Know Your Stuff: Important Steps for Safe and Secure Digital Registration at Online Casinos
  • 5 Financial Red Flags to Watch for in Your 20s
  • Understanding the role of social media in the growth of the sports betting world
  • Luck Favors the Prepared: How to Build a Strong Case for Sole Custody
  • Want to Start a Small Business? Here’s Why Sports Betting Is One of the Most Profitable Opportunities

Copyright © 2020 IGD Leaders.All rights reserved.