Polycarbonate Manifolds
Highly Versatile, Rigid, & Strong
Polycarbonate manifolds are quickly replacing acrylic as a baseline material. Polycarbonate readily bonds and welds, supports higher operating temperatures, and has better chemical resistance than acrylic.
Polycarbonate’s General Engineering Characteristics
Tensile strength at yield
8900 psi
Tensile modulus
340,000 psi
Flexural strength
13,500
Flexural modulus
340,000
Tensile strength at yield
8900 psi
Heat deflection temperature
270°F at 264 psi
Flammability
V0 & 94HB
Biocompatible
USP Class 6 available
Continuous service temperature
Up to 250°F
Clarity Grade
Available in clear window grade (Grade 3)
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 has many possible configurations as a multi-layer laminated manifold with .020 or smaller channels (depending on the application). From a design standpoint, many discourage using square channels within manifolds here. Polycarbonate manifolds should have either D-shaped or full round channels for optimal flow. Channel spacing as close as 1x nearest feature size is possible. What's more, we can place flat bottom ½-28 ports or similar can on the bond line with surface finishes for valve mounting can hold as low as 20 µin.
When bonded, engineers can expect a very clear polycarbonate manifold (with a light gray or purplish tint, if using tinted stock). For frequent assembly and disassembly of pumps or valves, consider heat-staked threaded inserts over direct machined threads or helicoils. This is becuase polycarbonate is stress sensitive to long-term loading in stress risers. The pullout strength and low stress on other adjoining components make inserts a best-practice choice for polycarbonate manifold design.
Have Questions About Polycarbonate Manifolds?
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Polycarbonate Manifolds & Light Transmission
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.