PC - Polycarbonate 

TECANAT Ensinger Plastics

Polycarbonate plastic, often referred to by the abbreviation PC, is manufactured by Ensinger in standard stock shapes for machining parts and is extruded in plate (or sheet), rod and tube. PC plastic is an amorphous thermoplastic with good electrical properties combined with superior impact strength and moderate chemical resistance. Due to its low crystallinity and amorphous nature, PC has a high level of transparency. Ensinger's extruded polycarbonates are considered machine grade which means they will not be optically clear polycarbonate unless mechanically or chemically polished. Polycarbonate manufacturers tend to offer their polycarbonate material in the mid price range which makes it a very versatile material choice for a number of application uses.

PC material properties and specifications

Polycarbonates offer:

  • Low density
  • Translucency (transparancy for optical grades)
  • Impact resistance
  • Moderate chemical resistance (low solvent resistance)
  • Good Machinability
  • Excellent dimensional stability
  • Rigidity over a wide range of temperatures

Manufactured PC Materials

Polycarbonate plastics modifications are manufactured by Ensinger under the tradename TECANAT. The Ensinger TECANAT family contains the following modifications:

  • TECANAT GF20 (PC GF) – 20% glass reinforced with higher temperature and tensile properties than the unfilled
  • TECANAT GF30 (PC GF)– 30% glass reinforced for high strength and rigidity, dimensional stability

Ensinger is a supplier for polycarbonate shapes in the following forms:

  • Polycarbonate Rod
  • Polycarbonate Sheet
  • Polycarbonate Tube

Typical PC applications

Electronical industries: cases and covers

Semicon industries: optical storage media (CD, DVD)

Building industries: glazings

Automotive industries: headlights, rear and side windows

Optical industries: lenses and inspection glasses

Medical industries: different disposables