Polycarbonate, also referred to as PC, is a tough, impact-resistant, virtually unbreakable material used in wide variety of applications. It is an amorphous thermoplastic material, with a continuous use temperature range of up to 265° F (129° C). LEXAN™ is one of the most commonly recognized polycarbonate brands.
Benefits of LEXAN™ Polycarbonate Sheets
Impact resistant
Optical quality
Printable
Formable
Lightweight compared to glass
FDA compliant (grade specific)
Low moisture absorption
High strength and stiffness
Easy to machine
Low friction
Dimensions: 48″ x 96″, 60″ x 96″, 72″ x 96″, 48″ x 120″, 60″ x 120″
Thickness: 0.03″ – 0.5″
Technical Resources
- PVC vs CPVC: Which Is Better?
- Polypropylene vs. Polyethylene: How Do They Differ?
- Thermosets vs Thermoplastics: How They Differ
- Homopolymer vs Copolymer
- Plastics Pyramid
- Amorphous vs Semicrystalline
- Fiber Reinforced Panel Alternatives
- How To Choose the Right Plastic for Your Project
- LEXAN™ CLINIWALL™: Next Generation Wall Cladding
- BioPhorum, Polymershapes, and the Future of Material Sterilization
- Design for Manufacturability and Its Importance
- PETG – Markets Served and Industry Applications
Common Applications
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Aerospace
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Armored Vehicle
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Automotive
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Bearings & Bushings
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Building & Construction
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Bullet/Blast/Wind Resistant Security Windows, Doors, Enclosures and Glazing
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Bus & Rail
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Bus/Transit Shelters
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Data Centers & Aisle Containment
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Die Cutters
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Electric & Non-Printed Sign
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Electrical Applications
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Enclosures
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Food & Beverage Preparation/Processing
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Forestry and Lumber Plastics
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Golf Cart Windshields
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Greenhouses
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Heavy Equipment
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Machine Guards
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Machine Shops
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Marine Applications
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Membrane Switches
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Milling & Mining
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Movie Studio/Sound Stage
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Packaging & Conveying Equipment
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POP/Display
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Printing/Graphics
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Recreational Vehicles
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Skylights
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Storm Protection
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Thermoformers
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Watercraft
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Window Glazing
Physical Properties
| Units | ASTM Test | General Purpose Polycarbonate | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tensile strength @ break @ 73°F | psi | D638 | 7,310 – 10,700 | |
| Flexural modulus @ 73°F | psi | D790 | 250,000 – 417,000 | |
| Izod impact (notched) | ft-lbs/in of notch | D256 | 1.1 – 18 | |
| Deflection Temperature Under Load @ 264 psi Unannealed | ft-lbs/in of notch | D658 | 249 – 282 | |
| Coefficient of linear thermal expansion (CLTE) | (in/in F) | D696 | 3.2E-5 to 3.9E-5 | |
| Compressive strength | psi | D695 | 9,000 – 12,500 | 9,000 – 12,500 |
| Coefficient of friction | D1894 | 0.060 – 0.39 | ||
| Taber Abrasion Resistance | mg | D1044 | 9.90 – 10.8 | |
| Water absorption – 24 hours – 1/8″ thick | 0.036 – 0.11% | D570 | 0.15 – 0.21 | |
| Deflection Temperature Under Load @ 264 psi | °F | D648 | 277 – 289 | |
| Compressive strength | psi | D695 | 9,000 – 12,500 | 9,000 – 12,500 |
* Technical Data is provided courtesy of UL Prospector (www.ulprospector.com) and IAPD (www.IAPD.org).
Data is to be considered representative and is provided for guidance only. All product performance must be verified by the user under actual application conditions.
