Polycarbonate Films

Properties

Polycarbonate (PC) is an amorphous, crystal clear engineering thermoplastic which has many attractive  mechanical and optical properties. For example, it has very high impact toughness and exceptional high light transmittance as well as good dimensional stability, creep resistance and elasticity over a wide temperature range.

Because of its higher price relative to PVC, PE, and PP film, it is generally considered a specialty film.

Films made from PC are of high optical clarity, have excellent puncture resistance, and are heat sealable, but have low scratch and solvent resistance and tend to yellow when exposed to UV light for a prolonged time. Thus for more demanding applications, PC products have to be coated with a scratch and UV resistant layer for protection.

PC films allow for top-quality printing with standard inks using standard screen printing processes.

Unlike many other thermoplastics, polycarbonate can undergo large plastic deformations without cracking or breaking. Thus, it can not only be thermoformed but also processed and formed at room or slightly elevated temperatures using standard forming equipment.

Manufacturers

Polycarbonate is available as a transparent, translucent and opaque film. Major manufacturers and distributors include Tekra (Lexan), Covestro (Makrofol), and Sabic (Lexan).

Applications

Because of its outstanding optical clarity, good performance properties, excellent printability, and ease of processing, films made of polycarbonate are chosen for a wide variety of applications. It is generally a good choice for high quality film products such as ID and security cards, graphic film products, reflective panels, LED/LCD display windows, and automotive dashboard and interior applications. PC film is also a good choice for high quality (thermoformed) packaging. For example, PC film is used for sterile medical packaging that requires FDA approval as well as high puncture, chemical, and UV resistance.