| CAS Number | 32844-27-2 (BPA-based polycarbonate) |
| Polymer Class | Thermoplastic engineering polymer (polycarbonate, PC) |
| Repeat Unit Basis | 2,2-Bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)propane (bisphenol A) carbonate linkage |
| Glass Transition Temperature (Tg) | ~145–150°C |
| Light Transmittance | Light Transmittance |
| Key Properties | High impact strength; optical transparency; dimensional stability |
Polycarbonate is a thermoplastic polymer built from repeating carbonate (-O-C(=O)-O-) linkages connecting bisphenol A units along the polymer backbone. That repeating carbonate structure is what gives polycarbonate its signature combination of properties: it is nearly as clear as glass (up to ~90% light transmittance) while offering dramatically better impact resistance, and it holds its shape and mechanical properties up to a glass transition temperature of roughly 145–150°C.
Polycarbonate’s clarity and toughness make it the material of choice wherever a product needs glass-like optical performance without glass’s fragility — eyewear lenses, camera and instrument optics, automotive headlamp lenses, and safety glazing all rely on it. Its combination of transparency, impact resistance, and processability also makes it a common choice for electronic device housings and displays, and it’s widely used in engineering and product-design R&D whenever a rigid, clear, impact-tolerant plastic is needed for prototyping.
*As a solid engineering thermoplastic resin, polycarbonate generally presents a low chemical-hazard profile in its finished polymer form; specific hazard data depends on the grade, particle size (pellet vs. powder), and any residual monomer content.*
