Polycarbonate (PC) is a structural plastic with thermoplastic properties. Its most characteristic feature is its transparency. In addition - due to its high resistance to mechanical damage - it is used as a substitute for glass. Polycarbonate is also widely used in other industries, thanks to its properties, such as:
- resistance to impact and cracking,
- good thermal insulation,
- low weight,
- very good light transmission,
- moderate abrasion resistance,
- resistance to moisture and water exposure,
- high resistance to temperature extremes,
In addition, polycarbonate is a machinable material, so it can be used to produce various details.
Applications of polycarbonate
Polycarbonate is primarily an alternative to glass, characterized by greater durability. It is used, among other things, for production of transparent elements of doors or even helmets. It is also an important material in the electronics industry - polycarbonate is used to make plugs, covers, camera and camera components. It is also used in the manufacture of household appliances. However, the most characteristic element for the construction of which this material is used are skylights made of cellular polycarbonate. They are often found in shopping malls, supermarkets or various types of halls.
Polycarbonate processing
Polycarbonate machining is a method that makes it possible to obtain the desired shape or size of panels, chambers or other components. Due to expectations, there are several types of machining - including:
- cutting - the ability to modify the dimensions of polycarbonate components makes it possible to precisely fit them into finished construction elements,
- drilling - thanks to the unique specification of polycarbonate, it is possible to make holes in the panel simply and quickly,
- bending - polycarbonate sheets can be freely bent - without fear of damaging the structure of the material,
- securing - securing polycarbonate chambers is usually done with a special tape that prevents water or dirt from getting inside.
Polycarbonate skylights
In large-scale facilities, such as large warehouses, factories, shopping malls or public use facilities, it is necessary to ensure sufficient interior lighting. Electric heating costs are high, so skylights, or large glazed roofs, are commonly used in such buildings. They allow large amounts of natural light into the interior.
Polycarbonate skylights are an excellent alternative to glass skylights. Their high transparency means that they only retain or reflect a small portion of sunlight. At the same time, they are very durable and can withstand loads up to several hundred times greater than glass. This is important because skylights can be subjected to loads from masses of snow during the winter. A very important property of polycarbonate is that it can be tinted, thus obtaining various effects of interior lighting. Often, milky polycarbonate panels are used to create skylights that diffuse light and create a pleasant mood in interiors. At the same time, polycarbonate skylights are much cheaper and lighter than glass ones, hence their widespread use.