Polycarbonate Manifolds
Polycarbonate is a highly versatile, rigid plastic that is easy to machine, polish, weld, and bond. Polycarbonate manifolds offer high modules of elasticity without compromising their strength or structure. In addition, polycarbonate’s excellent electrical properties and low moisture absorption extend its viability for use in electronic applications. For even more rigidity, polycarbonate can be reinforced with glass fiber.
Polycarbonate is used for general-purpose bonded manifolds, but the material is also a popular choice for custom polycarbonate parts. Polycarbonate is used to produce bio-medical manifolds that have applications in life science, diagnostic instrumentation, medical care devices, environmental test devices, and even DNA sequencing.
Polycarbonate Manifolds At A Glance
- 10-20% more costly than acrylic
- Highly impact resistant
- High clarity
- Continuous service temperature to 225°F
- Better chemical resistance; good for alcohols
- Available as a USP Class VI material
- Gray or purple tint typical
- Scratches easily
Polycarbonate manifolds are quickly replacing acrylic as a baseline material. Modestly more expensive, polycarbonate is readily bonded, supports higher temperatures, and has better chemical resistance than acrylic.
Multi-layer laminated manifold configurations are possible with polycarbonate, as are .020 or smaller channels (depending on the application). Square channels are not preferred; polycarbonate manifolds should be designed with either D-shaped or full round channels. Channel spacing as close as 1x nearest feature size is possible. Flat bottom ½-28 ports or similar can be placed on the bond line. The surface finish for valve mounting can be as good as 20 micro inches.
When bonded, engineers can expect a very clear polycarbonate manifold (with a light gray or purplish tint, if tinted stock is used). For frequent assembly and disassembly of pumps or valves, consider heat-staked threaded inserts over direct machined threads or helicoils (note: polycarbonate is stress sensitive to long-term loading in stress risers). The pullout strength (and low stress on components) make inserts a best-practice choice for polycarbonate manifold design.
More about Polycarbonate Manifolds
Polycarbonate has the capacity to transmit 88% of light, making it ideal for windows and other products. Light transmittal, along with its superior impact resistance and toughness, makes polycarbonate an excellent choice for sight glasses, other optical uses, and housing parts. It is highly utilized in aircraft, fluid handling, electronic manufacturing, and the automotive industries.
Polycarbonate has the capacity to transmit 88% of light, making it ideal for windows and other products. Light transmittal, along with its superior impact resistance and toughness, makes polycarbonate an excellent choice for sight glasses, other optical uses, and housing parts. It is highly utilized in aircraft, fluid handling, electronic manufacturing, and the automotive industries.
Polycarbonate’s General Engineering Characteristics
- Tensile strength at yield: 8900 psi
- Tensile modulus: 340,000 psi
- Flexural strength: 13,500
- Flexural modulus: 340,000
- Heat deflection temperature: 270°F at 264 psi
- Flammability: V0 & 94HB
- Bio-compatible – USP Class 6
- Half the weight of glass
- Continuous service temperature to 250°F
- Available in clear window grade
FAQs about Polycarbonate
Have your own questions about polycarbonate? Ask the experts at Controlled Fluidics. We have the answers you need. Contact us today.
Polycarbonate looks very much like glass or acrylic but it has different properties. It is stronger than glass, for example, but scratches far more easily than glass does.
Polycarbonate is quite resistant to being tinted. In some cases, we’re able to tint the scratch coating, but it can also be fairly resistant to tinting if it is of high strength.
Polycarbonate is resistant to many chemicals. Ask the engineers at Controlled Fluidics for specifics on chemical resistance pertaining to your polycarbonate manifold design and end-use.
When used in applications where heat reduction is a goal, polycarbonate is a good choice. Polycarbonate manifolds effectively insulate against temperature extremes, including heat, cold, and UV radiation.
Yes, as a matter of fact, polycarbonate is about 200 times stronger than steel, with the ability to withstand 900 psi impacts.
Polycarbonate is a condensation polymer, not an addition polymer.
No, polycarbonate is not BPA free.
Polycarbonate has an extremely high melting point of around 230℃-260℃.
No, polycarbonate actually scratches fairly easily. We typically use a scratch-resistant coating to protect the material.