what is polycarbonate material

Polycarbonate (PC) is a group of thermoplastic polymers that contain carbonate groups in their chemical structures. It is a high-performance, tough, amorphous, and transparent material that is widely used in the industry for its eco-friendly processing and recyclability. Polycarbonate is an ideal material for applications requiring transparency and high impact resistance, and it is a lighter alternative to glass and a natural UV filter. It is used in a variety of applications, including machine guards, signs, architectural glazing, face shields, skylights, and POP displays. Polycarbonate is classified as a “thermoplastic,” meaning that it becomes liquid at its melting point and can be heated to its melting point, cooled, and reheated again without significant degradation. It is also an amorphous material, meaning that it does not exhibit the ordered characteristics of crystalline solids. Polycarbonate is relatively difficult for casual hobbyists to print compared to other thermoplastics such as Polylactic acid (PLA) or Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) because of its high melting point, difficulty with print bed adhesion, tendency to warp during printing, and tendency to absorb moisture in humid environments.