Hardcoat Meets Polycarbonate Surfaces

Introducing Hardcoat to Polycarbonate Surfaces Polycarbonate plastics are normally amorphous and transparent thermoplastics. In processed form, polycarbonate is available on the market in various colors as transparent and semi-transparent alternatives to glass. Transparent and impact-resistant polycarbonate sheets can be used in the manufacture of different materials. From bulletproof glass to eyeglass lenses, from medical devices to automotive parts, from greenhouses to digital diskettes, CDs and exterior lighting fixtures—polycarbonate is widely used. Polycarbonate is generally preferred as the most realistic imitation of glass and provides significant convenience for manufacturers. For example, in automotive headlight manufacturing, the use of rectangular and round glass lenses that were commonly used in various countries during the 1980s was discontinued on the grounds that they posed pedestrian safety concerns and created aerodynamic issues. These headlight types were generally manufactured from glass material, but from that period onwards, polycarbonate lenses began to be used in place of glass. Of course, alongside the production and cost advantages it provides, there are points where polycarbonate surfaces are at a disadvantage compared to glass. Because glass provides a very hard surface stability, it does not scratch easily, but polycarbonates, owing to their thermoplastic nature, can be scratched under intense stress. Glass does not yellow under sunlight due to its strong UV resistance, but polycarbonate surfaces can yellow under prolonged sunlight. To solve these types of problems, we work to eliminate issues through chemical materials and applications developed for this purpose. The application known as hardcoat is fundamentally a chemical coating method developed to address the problems mentioned above. By coating the surface with a silicon-containing coating material, it gains high resistance to environmental effects, UV light, and physical interference. In terms of functionality, automation can be configured to suit your production line preferences. It is compatible with all application varieties—whether robotic spraying, deep immersion, or ink jet method. The material can be cured in an oven under high temperature, and if faster curing is required, it is possible to cure in much shorter periods at a specific wavelength under UV light. The automotive industry in particular uses engineered plastics when they can meet specific standards and specifications. At this point, the inspection and approval process is critical. Hardcoat materials manufactured under the Momentive Performance Materials brand are ASTM D 1003/1044 approved products that have successfully passed 3, 5, and 10-year tests under Florida and Arizona conditions, where micro-cracking and yellowing resistance are measured. Momentive Hardcoat materials can adhere to all plexiglass and polycarbonate surfaces without requiring a surface preparation primer, providing significant advantages in your production.       Alper Bağ Chemical Solution Explorer Chemical Solution Explorer Latro Kimya