[Chemical Knowledge]：The nature, use, upstream and downstream raw materials, storage methods of polycarbonate resin, the latest price list of polycarbonate resin.

Polycarbonate resin properties

Polycarbonate resin (Polycarbonate, PC) is an excellent thermoplastic with high transparency, high impact strength, good dimensional stability, high heat resistance and excellent electrical insulation. These properties make it stand out in numerous applications. The transparency of polycarbonate resin is close to that of glass, and the light transmittance can reach more than 90%, so it performs well in applications requiring high transparency, such as optical lenses and transparent housings. Its impact strength is very high and can be maintained even in low temperature environments, which makes it very popular when manufacturing safety equipment such as protective masks and explosion-proof glass. The heat resistance of polycarbonate resin is also very outstanding. The heat distortion temperature is usually above 120°C, and some special brands can even reach 150°C, which makes it possible to use it for a long time in a high temperature environment. Its excellent electrical insulation properties make it have important applications in the field of electronic and electrical.

Polycarbonate resin uses

Due to its excellent comprehensive performance, polycarbonate resin has been widely used in many industries. In the field of electrical and electronic, polycarbonate is used to manufacture connectors, switches, plugs and sockets and electrical housings. Its high transparency and excellent optical properties make it the main material for optical discs (CD, DVD, Blu-ray) and optical lenses. In the field of architecture and engineering, polycarbonate is often used to make impact-resistant transparent roofs, greenhouses, light ceilings and high-security protective glass. Polycarbonate resins are also widely used in the automotive industry, mainly for the manufacture of lamp covers, instrument panels and interior trim parts. Medical equipment is also an important application area of polycarbonate, including disposable syringes, infusion sets and hemodialyzers.

Polycarbonate resin upstream raw material

The production of polycarbonate resins relies on a number of key upstream raw materials, most notably bisphenol A(Bisphenol A, BPA) and phosgene (Phosgene). Bisphenol A is an important organic chemical raw material, which is prepared by acid-catalyzed condensation reaction of phenol and acetone. Phosgene is a highly toxic gas formed by the reaction of chlorine and carbon monoxide at high temperatures. In the production of polycarbonate, the ester exchange reaction between bisphenol A and phosgene occurs in alkaline medium to form polycarbonate chains. In recent years, due to the toxicity of phosgene and environmental problems, some production processes have begun to use non-phosgene methods, such as the transesterification of bisphenol A and diphenyl carbonate (DPC). The supply and price fluctuations of these raw materials have a significant impact on the production cost and market price of polycarbonate resins.

Polycarbonate resin downstream products

Polycarbonate resins are processed into various downstream products, and the demand for these products directly affects the polycarbonate market. Electronic products such as mobile phones, notebook computers and video cameras are important applications of polycarbonate, because this material has good electrical insulation and mechanical strength. Polycarbonate is also heavily used in the automotive industry, particularly in lamps, dashboards and interior trim parts. The construction industry is also an important market, with polycarbonate being used to make transparent roofs, greenhouses and light ceilings. Consumer goods such as sports equipment, suitcases, spectacle lenses, and housings for household appliances also use polycarbonate resins in large quantities. The growth in demand for these downstream products provides strong support for the polycarbonate resin market.

Polycarbonate resin storage method

Proper storage methods are essential to maintain the quality of polycarbonate resin. Polycarbonate resin should be stored in a dry, well-ventilated warehouse, away from direct sunlight and rain. The storage temperature should be kept between 10°C and 30°C to avoid high and extreme temperatures. Polycarbonate resin should be kept in the original packaging to prevent moisture absorption and pollution, because it has a certain moisture absorption, which may affect the processing performance and the performance of the final product after moisture absorption. If long-term storage is required, the integrity of the packaging and the condition of the material should be checked regularly. Severe vibration and shock shall be avoided during handling to prevent package breakage and material damage.

Environmental and sustainability challenges

Polycarbonate resins face some environmental and sustainability challenges in their applications. The safety of bisphenol A has aroused widespread concern. Although most studies believe that it is safe within the scope of fair use, some countries and regions have restricted or prohibited its use in some products. The high toxicity and environmental hazards of phosgene make its production process have greater environmental risks. To address these challenges, the industry is developing new BPA-free polycarbonate and non-phosgene production processes to reduce the environmental impact. The recycling of polycarbonate is also an important research direction. Through physical recovery and chemical recovery technology, the recycling of resources can be realized and the environmental burden can be reduced.

Market prospects and trends

Looking forward to the future, the polycarbonate resin market will continue to maintain steady growth, the main driving force from the electronic and electrical, automotive and construction and other major application areas of demand growth. With the advancement of technology and the improvement of environmental protection requirements, the production process and material properties of polycarbonate will continue to improve to meet more diversified market needs. In particular, the development of bisphenol A- free polycarbonate and renewable polycarbonate will inject new vitality into the market. With the enhancement of global green environmental protection awareness, polycarbonate recycling technology will also receive more attention and development, further promoting the sustainable development of the industry.

Polycarbonate resin plays an important role in the chemical industry because of its excellent performance and wide application prospect. By continuously optimizing the production process and improving environmental performance, polycarbonate resin is expected to achieve greater market share and technological breakthroughs in the future.