What Is Polycarbonate?

Polycarbonate is a form of plastic that is quite strong, and is used to make many different types of products. Polycarbonate is so hard to break that it is frequently used to produce bulletproof windows. In addition to being strong, it is also very lightweight. It weighs less than both acrylic and glass, but is more expensive than either of these materials.

If you own a DVD or CD, then you know what polycarbonate feels like. DVD’s and CD’s are among the most famous products that are made from this material. If you wish to test the strength of polycarbonate, simply try to break an old disc. You will find that it is quite difficult to do.

Another popular use for polycarbonate is making of eyeglass lenses. This material is helping to make thick and bulky lenses a thing of the past, as only a thin piece is needed in order to properly correct vision. Add to this the fact that this material is highly durable, and it becomes quite easy to see why polycarbonate is an excellent fit for making lenses.

Polycarbonate is showing up more often in the making of electronics. This material is a natural fit for cell phone and computer cases, as it makes the item lighter, while at the same time providing stellar protection against damage. The original iMac case is just one example of this material being put to use in the computer world.

Though some toxic chemicals are used in the production of polycarbonate, it is indeed recyclable. This fact makes this material preferable to PVC. Though it is not considered to be a completely “green” product, it does have at least some practical applications in the world of green solutions.

A quick glance around your home will likely yield a look at some product that was produced using polycarbonate. The properties of this material are so flexible that there are few limits as to how many products it can be used to make. Expect to see even more polycarbonate products coming to a store, hospital, or business near you in the future.