Polycarbonates are a form of plastics used to make products such as storage containers, electronics or sporting goods. Their lightweight properties protect such products from damage caused by light, temperatures and chemicals. Manufacturers also design polycarbonate products to be shatter-proof, so they don't break easily upon dropping them. Hydrogen, carbon and oxygen are the common elements that form polycarbonates when combined with bisphenol A. Polycarbonate properties are generally solid states that carry a large molecular weight and have water insolubility.

Because of their strong, heat-resistant properties, polycarbonates are popular in automobile applications, building components and appliances. Polycarbonate glass, polycarbonate sheets and polycarbonate plastic are perfect for use in bulletproof windows, safety glasses and helmets. Other examples of polycarbonate glass products include car tail lights, eyeglasses and incubators, while polycarbonate plastics can be found in bottles, cell phones, computers, CDs and DVDs. Many commercial products like refrigerators, hair dryers, food mixers and electric shavers also contain some form of polycarbonate material.

1. Search for equipment from suppliers of polycarbonates for the purposes of forming, cutting or molding applications.

2. Add to your inventory other types of polycarbonates for design and production needs.

3. Seek polycarbonate material design services to develop project or product ideas.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Find equipment from polycarbonate machining manufacturers to get started

Shop for precision parts and polycarbonate plastic finishing machinery to produce a variety of polycarbonate products. Some companies also provide in-house capabilities.

I recommend: East Coast Precision Manufacturing assists customers with picking the right polycarbonate sheets and materials. Polycarbonate machining such as keyguards, polished components and glass bead blasted finishes can also be found at the company's website. Vanderveer Industrial Plastics offers machining and services for polycarbonate products that include milling, bonding and drilling of polycarbonate plastic, polycarbonate tubing and polycarbonate sheets. AB-Wey Machine & Die provides polycarbonate machining on high-speed equipment for the electronics, military, aerospace and medical industries.

Acquire additional polycarbonate properties for industrial or commercial use

Suppliers of polycarbonates provide different materials, including polycarbonate glass, polycarbonate plastic, polycarbonate tubing and polycarbonate coating.

I recommend: TSP supplies polycarbonates such as sheets, lenses and filters for bar code scanners, flat panel screens and other viewing applications. Fosta-Tek Optics specializes in producing lenses and other optical components made from polycarbonate glass. E & T Plastics Manufacturing fabricates and distributes polycarbonates formed as rods, tubes, films and sheets.

Get consulting, design and technical support services for polycarbonates

Consultation, prototyping and design services can help you generate ideas for projects or to build quality polycarbonate products for business.

I recommend: Plas-Tech offers full-service prototyping and design services to help launch products. Another resource, Oxford Polymers, provides engineering, technical and design services for projects involving polycarbonate plastics and other thermoplastics.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Polycarbonates can be safely used with foods, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Evidence suggests that the small amounts of bisphenol A added to polycarbonates have no negative health effects on humans.