Due to their lightness, corrosion resistance, ease of processing, and economy, polymers are
used in many areas of our daily lives, including engineering applications. Thanks to their
mechanical, electrical, magnetic and optical properties polymers replace other materials in a
variety of applications, especially in the energy storage, aerospace, defence and automotive
sectors.
Polymers are preferred in the production of security seals due to their resistance to extreme
temperatures, and their impact and abrasion resistance. Security seals produced
from polymers are light, inexpensive, easily produced, and display excellent chemical
resistance and high mechanical properties, as well as easy workability.
Polycarbonate
Polycarbonates are strong, rigid, tough, transparent engineering thermoplastics that can
maintain hardness up to 140°C and toughness down to -20°C. They are thermally resistant up
to 135°C and exhibit slow burning properties.
Polycarbonate continues to be one of the fastest growing engineering plastics discovering new
application areas. Global demand for the PC exceeds 1,5 million tonnes.
Properties of Polycarbonate in summary;
▪ Hardness
▪ Lightness
This feature, as a glass substitute, enables limitless design possibilities, enhanced efficiency by
lowering the quantity of material needed, decreased shipping and material costs, and contributes
to sustainability.
▪ Wide range of thermal/mechanical properties
It is not only lightweight but also incredibly durable. A polycarbonate sheet, for
example, is 250 times stronger than a glass panel and is extremely resistant to fracture.
▪ Toughness and impact resistance
Maintains its durability from -20 °C to 140 °C.
▪ Transparency
PC is a very transparent plastic that, like glass, can transmit more than 90% of light.
▪ Fine optical properties
▪ Surface appearance
▪ Compliance with the food regulations
▪ High dimensional stability
▪ High flexibility
▪ Chemical Resistance
Polycarbonate shows proper chemical resistance to diluted acids, aliphatic
hydrocarbons and alcohols.
Thanks to the advantages mentioned above, polycarbonate is often used to make durable, longlasting consumer products.
Tablo 1: General Properties of Polycarbonate
| Properties | Unit | Testing Method | Value |
| Technical Name | – | – | Polycarbonate (PC) |
| Chemical Formula | – | – |  |
| Recycling Code | – | – |  |
| Specific Gravity | gr/cm3 | ISO 1183 | 1.20 |
| Tensile Strength | MPa | ISO 527 | 59 |
| Elongation at Break | % | ISO 527 | 50-120 |
| Impact Resistance(izod notched) | Kj/m2 | ISO 180 | 60-80 |
| Hardness | Shore D | ISO 868 | 90-95 |
| Maximum continuous operating temperature | – | °C | 100-140 |
Fields of Use
• Medical Devices
• Glass Substitutes
• Telephone Booths
• Food Service Sets Especially for Air Passengers
• LED lamps
Figure 1: Polycarbonate usage areas
• Baby Bottles
• Safety Helmets
• In Car Headlight Sets
• Carboy Water Cans
• Eyeglass Lenses
• Security Seals
Figure 2: Security seals made using polycarbonate
Polycarbonate is one of the most widely used polymers in the production of security seals due
to its transparency, resistance to chemicals, good impact resistance, high dimensional
stability, glossy surface and food contact suitability.
REFERENCES
[1]-https://www.creativemechanisms.com/blog/everything-you-need-to-know-aboutpolycarbonate-pc
[2]- https://omnexus.specialchem.com/selection-guide/polycarbonate-pc-plastic
[3]- https://www.bpf.co.uk/plastipedia/polymers/Polycarbonate.aspx#history
[4]- Doç. Dr. Mehmet Arif Kaya Eğitim Notları (Educational Notes of Assoc. Dr. Mehmet
Arif Kaya