Polycarbonate CNC Machining

Polycarbonate, also known as PC, is an amorphous thermoplastic that gets soft before melting because it doesn't have a fixed melting point. It's clear, tough, and lighter than glass, making it a great glass substitute. Plus, it handles high temperatures better than acrylic. CNC machining in polycarbonate does not inherently yield optically transparent parts, however, so some further finishing is required.

Polycarbonate CNC machining is a sophisticated and efficient manufacturing process that leverages the precision of CNC technology to work with polycarbonate material, meeting the demanding standards of various industries.

Only a limited range of surface treatments is applicable to plastics. This is especially true when CNC machining polycarbonate, as the material is prone to scratching. Here are some possible finishes:

Vapor Polishing: The surfaces of CNC-machined polycarbonate often show tool marks, which is not ideal for applications requiring optical transparency. Generally, polishing is a process to remove tool marks or defects. For polycarbonate, one of the more effective methods is vapor polishing. This is achieved by exposing the surface to solvents, causing a reaction that melts and flows the surface layer. The process smoothens the surface and fills in any tool marks.

Scratch-resistant coating: One of the drawbacks of polycarbonate is its susceptibility to scratches. Some coatings available in the market help maintain the optical transparency of polycarbonate while enhancing its scratch resistance.