Polycarbonate Vs. Acrylic

In this report I bequeath thoroughly discuss the chemic substance properties, makeup and trenchantness of the polymers poly degree Celsiusate and acrylate resin resin. I will gauge the ongoing use of to distri andively one and conclude which is better and to a greater extent than(prenominal) cost-efficient in motley(a) situations. To realise this topic, a wide of the mark taste of polymers is required. A polymer is to a greater extent comm entirely referred to as a charge card. The simplest translation of a polymer is something that has been make by numerous units although they be more(prenominal) than more multiplex than this. A polymer is much ilk a kitchen range; each link of the arrange is the monomer or al-Qaida unit. This monomer or fore unit is usually make of carbon, hydrogen, oxygen and/or silicon. The chain is tranquil of numerous of these monomers polymerised together, or in this analogy, many golf links of the chain joined together. polymerization is simply the linking of the monomers to form the polymer (Ameri arsehole Chemistry, 2007). There be pas de deux man-made polymers much(prenominal) as the tractile in plastic bottles and inborn polymers much(prenominal)(prenominal) as tortoise shell and horns. more public polymers atomic number 18 peaceful of hydrocarbons (See Diagram 1). As voice of tail be seen, carbon makes up the backbone of the hint and hydrogen atoms atomic number 18 bonded clear the Carbon. nigh examples of polymers that catch only carbon and hydrogen molecules are polypropylene, poly besidesene and polystyrene. Polymers pretend many, many uses in today?s society. Polycarbonate is a polymer which alike has many uses in today?s society. Polycarbonates are long-chain linear polyesters of carbonic caustic and dihydric phenols, such as bisphenol-A (A finder to polycarbonate in general, 2007). Polycarboante is formed when phosgene fellate reacts with bisphenol-A (Jeannot, 2003). This completed response ( chemical substance body twist of polycarbonate) fecal thing be seen left in figure 2. To full figure the properties of polycarbonate, one must understand why the properties are the counselling they are. To the left is a p accord of the chemical structure of bisphenol-A. In this draw 2 six-sided fret shaped structures plunder be seen. These are called phenyl groups. Two groups tagged CH3 grass also be seen. CH3 represents methyl radical groups. The presence of the phenyl groups on the molecular chain and the two methyl side groups house to molecular hardship in the polycarbonate. The properties of polycarbonate are givingly touch by the inclementness produce by this combination. This is done by first; the magnet mingled with both of the phenyl groups between incompatible molecules helps to ?fix in name? the individual molecules. The resulting occurrence is legal thermal resistor simply relatively laid-back viscosity during processing. The inflexibility and the omit of mobility prevent polycarbonate from developing a significant see-through structure. This want of crystallizingline structure allows for light hydrofoil (A guide to polycarbonate in general, 2007). Polycarbonate is of course vapourous, to the grittyest degree as truthful as glass. It has senior high strength, toughness, heat fortress, and minute dimensional and colour stability. Flame retardants can be added to polycarbonate without significant button of properties. One of the biggest advantages of polycarbonate is its high trespass strength. The diagram above compares the cut strength of polycarbonate to various pause polymers (Paying particular attention to the discrepancy between polycarbonate (PC) and acrylic graphic symbol). Although this is an enceinte polymer for a variety of uses, it does have its disadvantages. It has only fair chemical resistance and is attacked by many organic solvents. It is also fair costly compared to some other plastics. some of the many uses of polycarbonate include universe an sample engineering plastic cod to its ease of beingness moulded, flack moulded and extruded including having good electric car caral insulating properties. This means it is applied in electric meter lodging and covers. As well as this polycarbonate is utilise as enclose hardware, portable tool housings, safety helmets (due to its extemely high impact strength), figurer parts and even vandal create windows and type slug demonstration windows utilize in large bank safes. The value of polycarbonate makes it more suitable for application principally in engineering. some other big use of polycarbonate that hasn?t been mentioned is plastic lenses in sunglasses due to its high transparence and impact resistance. acrylic fiber refers to a family of synthetic polymers that contain one or more derivatives of acrylic acid. The closely common of these is polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA). PMMA is a tough, highly transparent veridical giving it many similarities to polycarbonate which is why the two are in competition. acrylic has excellent resistance to ultraviolet radiotherapy and weathering. It can be coloured, moulded, cut, drilled, and formed. acrylic polymers are formed by the reaction of a monomer, the most common being methyl methacrylate with a atom smasher.

ingrained Peroxide would be a typical catalyst. The catalyst provides the energizing energy needed to step up the polymerisation but does not become part of the polymer. The chemical structure of acrylic fiber can be seen in the diagram to the left. Acrylic, being nearly crystal clear is an excellent pick for display cases. The thicker Acrylic fabric can shield against of import radiation. Acrylic is visible(prenominal) in a wide array of forms and influence as well as being machineable and bendable. It can be utilize in a wide range of applications such as aquariums, picture frames, shelves and cabinets. Compared to polycarbonate, acrylic has a lot glare impact resistance, cannot be unfaltering within a conjectural thickness, less(prenominal) bendable and formable and is harder to work with but on the other reach out compared to acrylic, polycarbonate is more apt(predicate) to scratch, the clarity isn?t as high, yellows afterwards time due to the UV light whereas Acrylic doesn?t and is a lot more expensive. The facts presented have turn out that at that place is no definite answer to which is better, Acrylic of Polycarbonate. The truth is both polymers are more suitable in the other depending on the various applications which they are being used for. Both products are more effective at some tasks and less effective at some tasks than the other. BibliographyA guide to polycarbonate in general. (2007). Retrieved exhibit 6, 2009, from Polymer engineering and run: http://www.ptsllc.com/polcarb_intro.htmAmerican Chemistry. (2007). Plastics: the basics of polymer chemistry. Retrieved run into 6, 2009, from AmericanChemistry: http://www.americanchemistry.com/s_plastics/doc.asp?CID=1102&DID=4664Baird, R. J. (1986). In Industrial Plastics. The Goodheart-Willcox Company. Choo, D. (2007). Acrylic (Plexiglas) vs. Polycarbonate (Lexan). Retrieved bump into 6, 2009, from HEMINEKO.NET: http://hemineko.net/wp/acrylic-plexiglas-vs-lexan/Dynalab. (n.d.). Plastic Properties of Polymethylmethacrylate (ACRYLIC) . Retrieved March 6, 2009, from Dynalab: http://www.dynalabcorp.com/technical_info_acrylic.aspJeannot, M. A. (2003). stick By the Baby Bottle. Retrieved March 6, 2009, from trip Teaching Notes: http://ublib.buffalo.edu/libraries/projects/cases/ wooly/baffled_notes.html If you want to get a full essay, order it on our website: Ordercustompaper.com

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