Characteristics of UV-Resistant Polycarbonate (PC)

2026-05-27

UV-resistant polycarbonate sheet (often coated) offers a unique combination of properties:
High Light Transmission: Up to 89%, comparable to glass. High-quality UV-coated PC does not yellow, fog, or lose transmission significantly under sunlight. After ten years, transmission loss is only about 6% (vs. 15–20% for PVC and 12–20% for glass fiber reinforced materials).
Exceptional Impact Resistance: Impact strength is 250–300 times that of ordinary glass, 30 times that of acrylic (PMMA) of the same thickness, and 2–20 times that of tempered glass. A 3kg hammer dropped from two meters will not crack a typical PC sheet.
UV Protection: A UV coating blocks harmful ultraviolet radiation, protecting valuable artworks, exhibits, or interior materials from UV damage. Many products also incorporate anti-condensation treatment.
Light Weight: Specific gravity is about half that of glass, reducing costs for transportation, handling, installation, and support framing.
Flame Retardant: PC is inherently flame retardant (often V-2 or better). Its ignition point is approximately 580°C, and it self-extinguishes when the flame source is removed. It does not release toxic halogenated gases during combustion.
Flexibility: Can be cold-bent on site to form arches, semi-circular roofs, and curved windows. Minimum cold bending radius is approximately 175 times the sheet thickness. Hot bending is also possible for tighter radii.
Sound Insulation: Provides better sound insulation than glass or acrylic of the same thickness (approximately 3–4 dB higher than glass). Widely used for highway noise barriers.
Energy Efficiency (Thermal Insulation): Lower thermal conductivity (K-value) than glass and many other plastics. Offers 7–25% better insulation than equivalent glass, reducing heat loss in winter and heat gain in summer.
Wide Temperature Range: Remains tough and ductile at -40°C (no cold brittleness) and does not soften until approximately 125°C. Mechanical properties remain stable across severe environmental conditions.
Weather Resistance: Maintains physical properties from -40°C to 120°C. After 4,000 hours of accelerated weathering, yellowing index is only 2, and light transmission loss is just 0.6%.
Anti-Condensation (Drip Protection): When the outdoor temperature is 0°C, indoor temperature 23°C, and indoor relative humidity below 80%, the inner surface of properly coated PC sheet will not form condensation droplets.

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+8618002579887

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mk1@samtion.com

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Room 803B, 8/F., West Coast International Building, 290-296 Un Chau Street, Cheung Sha Wan, Kowloon, Hong Kong

8618002579887

mk1@samtion.com

+8618002579887

mk1@samtion.com

Characteristics of UV-Resistant Polycarbonate (PC)

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