What Are The Different Types of Polycarbonate?

In the modern era it is manufactured by a large number of firms, each typically with their own production process and unique formula. Trade names include well known variants (or “resins”) like Lexan® by SABIC, or Makrolon® by Bayer MaterialScience. You can view a full list of material manufacturers here.

There are various industry grades of polycarbonate available. Most are called by the generic name (polycarbonate) and are typically differentiated by the amount of glass fiber reinforcing they contain and the variance in melt flow between them. Some polycarbonates have additives such as “ultraviolet stabilizers” that protect the material from long-term exposure to the Sun. Injection moldable polycarbonate might include other additives such as mold release agents that lubricate the material during processing. Finished polycarbonate is typically sold in cylinders, rods or sheets.

How is PC made?

Polycarbonate, like other plastics, starts with the distillation of hydrocarbon fuels into lighter groups called “fractions” some of which are combined with other catalysts to produce plastics (typically via polymerization or polycondensation).