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Polycarbonate resin is a strong and malleable thermoplastic used in electronics, building materials, and transportation. It is made by condensation polymerization of phosgene and bisphenol A, but the use of BPA has raised health concerns. It is prone to scratches but can be coated for protection.
A polycarbonate (PC) resin is a thermoplastic, a polymer that liquefies when heated and then creates a glassy structure when cooled. It is used in a variety of applications that require high stress resistance and heat resistance. Polycarbonate resin can be seen in the creation of compact discs, plastic car parts, eyewear, and bulletproof glass. Most polycarbonate resins are derived from the condensation polymerization of phosgene and bisphenol A (BPA).
The condensation polymerization process to create a polycarbonate resin usually occurs by creating a reaction between two monomers, which are small molecules or atoms. The reaction occurs and leaves a polymer, in this case polycarbonate resin, which has both a carbonate group containing one carbon molecule and three oxygen molecules, and a byproduct of small water molecules. When phosgene and BPA are combined, the process is catalyzed by adding sodium hydroxide to the BPA to start the process.
Polycarbonate resin, the final polymer you create, has a very high stress tolerance and can be heated to high degrees without cracking. This creates a strong and very malleable substance, unlike other thermoplastics, which are often brittle and break if stretched or stressed too much. A big advantage of this is that it can be built to specification without having to create a mold or press, making it invaluable in creating initial prototype designs.
The main use of polycarbonate resin is in the field of electronics because it is a very good insulator and does not melt at high temperatures. As well as in the field of electronics, it is widely used in building materials, such as ceiling lights. Because it can be made in sheet form and using injection molds, it can be mass-produced to make a variety of items, including compact discs and advertising signs. It also has a wide variety of uses in cars and airplanes because not only is it smooth, it can also be transparent.
One drawback of polycarbonate resin is that it is easy to scratch. When used to make glasses or any other transparent material prone to scratches, it needs an additional coating to protect it. With lamination, it is used to create bulletproof glass.
The most notable problem with polycarbonate resin is the use of BPA. Many PC resin products produced are made with BPA, such as water bottles and containers. BPA has been found to be an endocrine disruptor, which means it can cause a variety of problems that effects the endocrine system, such as birth defects, cancer, and neurological disorders. Despite the associations, attempts to ban or limit the use of BPA have had mixed results around the world.
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