For polycarbonates

ALUMTDIUMTCOMEOUNDS - ALUMTINIUMTOXIDE(ALUMTINA) - CALCINED,TABULAR,ANDALUMTINATECEMENTS] (Vol 2) -polycarbonates for POLYCARBONATES] (Vol 19)... 

Phenyl-3,6-dihydro-l,3,4-oxadiazin-2-one (50) is a high temperature blowing agent used primarily for polycarbonates (qv). It is prepared by the reaction of a-hydroxyacetophenone and methyl carbazate (52), made from hydrazine and dimethyl carbonate (175) ... 

Solubility and Solvent Resistance. The majority of polycarbonates are prepared in methylene chloride solution. Chloroform, i7j -l,2-dichloroethylene, yy -tetrachloroethane, and methylene chloride are the preferred solvents for polycarbonates. The polymer is soluble in chlorobenzene or o-dichlorobenzene when warm, but crystallization may occur at lower temperatures. Methylene chloride is most commonly used because of the high solubiUty of the polymer (350 g/L at 25°C), and because this solvent has low flammabiUty and toxicity. Nonhalogenated solvents include tetrahydrofuran, dioxane, pyridine, and cresols. Hydrocarbons (qv) and aUphatic alcohols, esters (see Esters, organic), or ketones (qv) do not dissolve polycarbonates. Acetone (qv) promotes rapid crystallization of the normally amorphous polymer, and causes catastrophic failure of stressed polycarbonate parts. 

Automotive appHcations account for about 116,000 t of woddwide consumption aimuaHy, with appHcations for various components including headlamp assembHes, interior instmment panels, bumpers, etc. Many automotive appHcations use blends of polycarbonate with acrylonitrile—butadiene—styrene (ABS) or with poly(butylene terephthalate) (PBT) (see Acrylonitrile polymers). Both large and smaH appHances also account for large markets for polycarbonate. Consumption is about 54,000 t aimuaHy. Polycarbonate is attractive to use in light appHances, including houseware items and power tools, because of its heat resistance and good electrical properties, combined with superior impact resistance. 

The major use of 4-cumylphenol is as a chain terminator for polycarbonates. Its use in place of phenol gives a polycarbonate with superior properties (33). Eor a low molecular weight polycarbonate used for injection-molding appHcations, the use of 4-cumylphenol as a chain terminator significantly lowers the volatiHty of the resin. Other uses of 4-cumylphenol include the production of phenoHc resins, some of which have appHcations in the electronics industry (34). Another appHcation of 4-cumylphenol involves its reaction with ethylene oxide to form a specialty surfactant. 

In terms of processing there is no need for pre-drying PCHE granules, a standard extruder screw as used for polycarbonate may be used and discs are said to release well from the mould. Question marks remain on the oxidative stability of the polymer and on the quality of adhesion of the reflective layer but Dow claim that metallising is possible. 

Residual traces of these impurities must thus be removed by some technique such as recrystallisation from chlorobenzene or acqueous alcohol. The melting point is a useful measure of purity and for polycarbonate resins the melting point should be in the range 154-157°C compared with values of 140-150°C for epoxy resin grade bis-phenol A. 

Figure 20.6. Unit cell diagrams for polycarbonate based on bis-phenol A. (After Prietschk )...

Table 20.8 Usage patterns for polycarbonates and polycarbonate/ABS alloys in Western Europe and the USA 1997. (Based on information published in Modern Plastics International)...

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