PC plastic - Polycarbonate

Polycarbonate is referred to by the abbreviation PC and is an amorphous thermoplastic that has high transparency due to its low crystallinity. This clear polycarbonate plastic offers good electrical insulation properties and excellent toughness. PC plastic can be used in a wide temperature range. At up to 120 °C, the plastic retains its rigidity and has very high impact strength even at low temperatures. 
Polycarbonate plastic is also characterised by its UV and weather resistance, but is only moderately resistant to chemicals. The material only exhibits optical clarity when it is mechanically or chemically polished. 
Polycarbonate manufacturers generally offer their polycarbonate material in the mid-price segment, which makes the material optimal from a value standpoint.

Manufactured PC products and PC parts

PC Filaments
icon composites PC composites
PC plates
PC rods
PC tubes
PC 3D printing
PC machining
PC profiles
As a polycarbonate supplier, Ensinger offers a wide product portfolio of PC products. These include polycarbonate granules, extruded polycarbonate tubes, rods and plates as well as filaments. PC rods and tubes can also be manufactured in individual dimensions on request. At Ensinger, we can also produce fibre reinforced polycarbonate composites.

Our many years of experience in the further development of the PC product portfolio has enabled us to adapt our process technology to more precisely match most any respective application. For example, we offer the production of polycarbonate injection molded parts according to your individual requirements. Ensinger is also successful in polycarbonate 3D printing with our line of PC filament. Other processing methods such as polycarbonate machining serve as yet another essential aspect of our range of capabilities.

PC rods, plates and tubes - manufactured PC stock shapes

Polycarbonate plastics are manufactured by Ensinger under the brand name TECANAT and are produced as stock shapes in the following forms

  • Polycarbonate plate
  • Polycarbonate rod
  • Polycarbonate tube and customised tubes
PC plates PC rods PC tubes Customised PC tubes

In addition to the natural and black versions, our TECANAT family also includes a version with glass fibre filling:

Glass filled polycarbonate offers higher strength, better impact resistance and superior dimensional stability. The modified polycarbonate can still be machined similarly to its unfilled counterpart. Glass filled PC is not translucent, but can be used in more demanding applications thanks to its improved properties.

All PC shapes

Why Polycarbonat plastic from Ensinger?

Versatility

The combination of PC polycarbonate's transparency, impact resistance and good machinability makes it one of the more versatile engineering materials available. When the material's UV, weather resistance and  number of useful modifications are further considered, it becomes clear why polycarbonate plastic is preferred for used in many industries. 
Our expertise in processing polycarbonate material in a variety of ways makes Ensinger the ideal partner when it comes to considering the use of PC plastic. Our expertise enables us to find the best manufacturing process for your application.  

Maximising transparency

One of the most important polycarbonate characteristics is transparency. Polycarbonates from Ensinger are considered industrial grade. Accordingly, optical clarity of our machine grade product is only achieved when the extruded polycarbonate surfaces are mechanically or chemically polished. In order to achieve a correspondingly high transparency of the PC plastic, the extrusion skin should be removed by precision-machining. Because optical clarity is often of crucial importance, Ensinger takes every precaution to try to minimise optical defects in the material.

Alternative to glass

Polycarbonate plastic has a high transparency by nature, which is why PC polycarbonate is an ideal alternative to glass. However, the advantages of the plastic go far beyond this. Compared to glass, PC is much more impact resistant, which limits the risk of cracks and breakage. Polycarbonate also has a lower density, which makes it lighter and much easier to use (1.4 g/cm3 compared to 2.5 g/cm3). The weather and temperature resistance of polycarbonate plastic makes it a suitable material for outdoor applications.

PC PROPERTIES AND SPECIFICATIONS

Polycarbonate properties:

  • Low density and light transmission make PC plastic a useful tool for weight reduction
  • Impact strength and UV/weather resistance also help polycarbonate replace glass in certain applications
  • Good machinability, excellent dimensional stability and moderate chemical resistance (low solvent resistance) for applications requiring tight tolerances and chemical resistance
  • Rigidity over a wide temperature for both hot conditions (120 °C continuous use temperature) and very cold conditions (-60 °C lower use temperature)
  • FDA compliant

PC APPLICATIONS & PC USES

Electronic industry: housings and covers
Semiconductor industry: optical storage media (CD, DVD)
Building industry: glazing
Automotive industry: headlights, rear and side windows
Optical industry: lenses and sight glasses
Medical industry: various disposables