Bayer MaterialScience has commercialized a new class of polycarbonate, which expands the material's reach into lower and higher temperature applications. The new Makrolon DP1-1848, a copolycarbonate of bisphenol A and a proprietary bisphenol, exhibits a completely new characteristic profile with excellent transparency. Strengths are significantly increased in comparison to traditional bisphenol A polycarbonate. It has greater notched Izod impact strength in cold weather, Vicat softening temperature (156 ºC), a higher thermostability and an improved resistance against a multiplicity of everyday life chemicals and hot water. Copolymerizing with a proprietary bisphenol instead of using an elastomer for impact resistance eliminates the trade-off of reduced stiffness and heat resistance.
Even at -60°C the material exhibits a notched bar impact strength of 60 kilo joules/sq. m. High temperature application candidates for Makrolon DP1-1848 include medical device housings that require good dimensional stability and accuracy even at temperatures well above 100 ºC.