Overview
Polycarbonate-Urethane (PC-U) is an advanced engineering thermoplastic that combines the impact resistance of polycarbonate with the flexibility and biocompatibility of polyurethane. Developed for demanding applications, it exhibits exceptional durability under mechanical stress and environmental exposure. First commercialized in the 1980s for medical devices, PC-U has since expanded into automotive, aerospace, and consumer electronics due to its ability to meet stringent performance requirements. Its molecular structure features alternating hard (polycarbonate) and soft (urethane) segments, enabling tailored mechanical properties.
Physical and Chemical Properties
PC-U demonstrates a unique balance of hardness (Shore D 70-85) and elasticity (elongation at break 300-500%), outperforming standard polycarbonates in fatigue resistance. Its refractive index (~1.55) makes it suitable for optical applications, while inherent UV stability allows outdoor use without significant degradation. Chemically, PC-U resists hydrolysis, oils, and weak acids/alkalis, though prolonged exposure to strong bases or chlorinated solvents should be avoided. The material maintains properties across a wide temperature range (-40°C to +120°C continuous use), with some grades capable of short-term exposure to 150°C.
Main Applications
In healthcare, PC-U dominates cardiovascular devices (e.g., ventricular assist devices) and orthopedic implants due to its thromboresistance and compliance matching human tissue. Automotive manufacturers utilize it for impact-resistant headlamp lenses, dashboard components, and electric vehicle battery housings. Industrial applications include safety goggles, riot shields, and drone components where lightweight durability is critical. Emerging uses encompass flexible electronics substrates and 3D-printed medical models, capitalizing on its dimensional stability and biocompatibility.
Safety and Storage
PC-U meets ISO 10993 and USP Class VI standards for medical applications, with most grades being non-cytotoxic and non-hemolytic. Processing requires adequate ventilation as thermal decomposition above 300°C may release trace isocyanates. Raw material should be stored in moisture-proof packaging with desiccants to prevent hydrolysis. Pellets absorb 0.2-0.3% moisture in standard conditions, requiring drying (120°C for 4 hours) before injection molding or extrusion to avoid surface defects in finished products.
B2B Procurement Guide
When sourcing PC-U, specify: 1) Intended application (medical/industrial), 2) Required certifications (FDA, REACH, etc.), 3) Sterilization method compatibility (gamma, ETO, autoclave), and 4) Color/transparency requirements. Medical-grade material typically costs 20-30% more than industrial grades. Leading manufacturers include DSM, Lubrizol, and Covestro, with regional suppliers in Asia offering competitive pricing for standard grades. Minimum order quantities range from 25kg for specialty grades to container loads for commodity formulations. Sample testing for mechanical properties and biocompatibility is strongly recommended before bulk purchases.
Related Manufacturers
- 主营：塑胶原料
- 主营：耐高温材料、LCP、尼龙原料、PPA、PC、PC/ABS、PPS、EVA、PP、POM、POE、PA6、PA66、TPU、PET、ABS、聚丙烯、PA12、PBT、PPO、PPE、合金料、LDPE、万华化学tpu、HDPE
- 主营：改性塑料、塑胶原料、改性ABS、改性PC/ABS、PC、POM、改性PA6、改性PA66、PPO、阻燃合金、阻燃ABS、PC/ABS、PP、PA全系、改性PET、改性PC、ABS、PA6、PA66、PBT、HDPE、LDPE、PPS、PMMA、GPPS
- 主营：美国杜邦pom、宝理pom、巴斯夫pom、台塑pom、韩国可隆pom、旭化成pom、云天化pom、泰科纳pom、日本三菱pom、韩国工程pom、pom100p、pom500p、pom900p、m90-44、F20-03、pom聚甲醛、pom赛钢、朗盛pa66、旭化成pa66、日本东丽pa66、美国杜邦pa66、巴斯夫pa66
- 主营：电位器、拨码开关、驱动IC、接口芯片、编码开关、霍尔开关
- 主营：云天化pom、美国杜邦pom、日本宝理pom、韩国乐天pc、沙伯基础pc/abs、日本旭化成pom、德国巴斯夫tpu、科思创tpu、奇美abs、德国朗盛pa66、美国首诺pom、泰科纳pom、韩国可隆pom、韩国工程pom、日本三菱pom、PPO、法国阿科玛pvdf、PPA、云天化POM m90、美国陶氏poe、埃克森美孚poe、云天化聚甲醛、pom云天化m90、LCP、PTFE
- 主营：防火abs、PP、尼龙、HDPE、LDPE、巴塞尔、晓星、台塑、大林
- 主营：pom、杜邦pom、宝理pom、旭化成pom、巴斯夫、pom100p、聚甲醛共聚物、赛钢聚甲醛原料、pom500p、pom900p、奇美abs、浙石化、中石化、pvdf、PCTG、PARA、沙伯基础、pmma、pps、日本东丽pa66、云天化、科思创TPU、陶氏POE、埃克森美孚POE、美国苏威
- 主营：PC、耐高温材料、ABS、防火ABS、防火阻燃PC、PC防火阻燃V0抗UV、PA66、POM、PBT、PP、PC/ABS、TPU、PBT 加纤防火、PA66 加纤防火、PA66 加纤
- 主营：塑料颗粒、PA6、POM、PC/ABS、日本宝理pps、PBT、Pom100p、Pom500p、Pom900p、M90-44、F20-03、ABS747、abs757、美国杜邦、德国巴斯夫、日本宝理pom、ASA、PMMA、PEEK、PCTG、PPA、PPSU、PVDF、POE、乐天PC-1100
- 主营：工程塑料
- 主营：EVA、PP、PC、PA6、PA66、POM聚甲醛、ABS、PPS、PE、PETG、PMMA、PBT
- 主营：pa66、pom赛钢、TPU原料、PA6尼龙、瑞士EMS原料、杜邦pom、宝理pom、旭化成pom、巴斯夫pa66、科思创TPU、PC/ABS、聚丙烯pp、PA6T、日本宝理PPS、TPV、PBT、TPU1185A10、PC540、M90-44、F20-03、POM100P、杜邦pom500p、德瑞灵pom、埃克森美孚poe、聚碳酸酯PC
- 主营：POE、EVA、PA66、PE、ABS、PP、LDPE、HDPE、PC、PA6、POM、PEEK、PVDF、PBT
- 主营：POM美国杜邦、POM韩国可隆、Pom100p、Pom500p、Pom900p、M90-44、F20-03、Tpu、Tpv、Pa66、Pctg、PC、Pa6t、100P、500P、K300、PC科思创、PC帝人、PC日本出光、A3WG6、70G30HSLR、杜邦101L、A3X2G5、A3X2G7、2805