Solid Sheet Extrusion: Resins
Resins are thermoplastic materials that offer a wide range of performance properties, including toughness, strength, and chemical resistance. The following resins from Bayer are available for solid sheet extrusion:
- Makrolon® polycarbonates
- Apec® high heat-resistant copolycarbonates
- Bayblend® polycarbonate/stryrenic alloys
- Makroblend® polycarbonate/polyester alloys
Each product line includes a general-purpose grade and specialty grades. The specific grade you choose depends on the property requirements of the application, the extrudability of the resin, and any secondary processing necessary.
In order to extrude good quality solid sheet with uniform thickness, the resins must have sufficiently high melt strength.
To determine the grade you require, consider typical property requirements, such as fire-retardant properties, impact properties, weatherability, light transmission, chemical resistance, heat resistance, and stiffness. Secondary processes may include thermoforming, painting, welding, or gluing. For outdoor applications, Bayer offers special low plate-out UV concentrates for coextrusion.
Coloring the resin is also an option for all grades and is added with color master batches during extrusion.
Makrolon® Polycarbonates
The Makrolon polycarbonate line offers many grades with a variety of performance properties.
| Table 1. Grades of Makrolon® polycarbonate for solid sheet extrusion | |
| Grade | Properties |
| Makrolon® 3103 | Standard UV stabilized |
| Makrolon® 3107 | Standard grade with release agent and UV stabilization |
| Makrolon® 3106 | Food contact grade (FDA approved) |
| Makrolon® 3156 | Food contact grade (FDA approved) |
| Makrolon® 3108 | Special grade for medical applications |
| Makrolon® 3158 | Special grade for medical applications |
| Makrolon® 1804 | UV stabilized and flame retardant |
| Makrolon® 6457 | Lower viscosity and flame retardant |
| Makrolon® 6717 | Highly flame-retardant |
| Makrolon® 8315 | 10% glass fiber reinforced |
| Makrolon® 8325 | 20% glass fiber reinforced |
| Makrolon® 8345 | 35% glass fiber reinforced |
| Makrolon® 9415 | 10% glass fiber reinforced and flame retardant |
| Makrolon® 9417 | UV stabilized, 10% glass fiber reinforced, and flame retardant |
| Makrolon® 9425 | 20% glass fiber reinforced and flame retardant |
| Makrolon® DP1-1852 | UV concentrate for coextrusion |
| Makrolon® 1243 | Branched, UV stabilized with release agent |
| Makrolon® 1143 | Branched, UV stabilized with release agent, and high viscosity |
Makrolon® 3103 polycarbonate is a standard resin grade. It is a high-viscosity, UV stabilized linear polycarbonate. Its melt volume flow rate (MVR) is 6cm³/10 minutes at 300°C under 1.2kg load.
For outdoor applications and other applications that require increased UV stability, additional weathering protection is necessary. Makrolon® DP1-1852 polycarbonate has been developed specifically for this purpose. Typically applied by coextrusion, Makrolon® DP1-1852 matches the processing properties of Makrolon® 3103. It provides excellent UV protection if the thickness of the coextruded layer is sufficient—usually 0.002 to 0.004 inches (0.05 to 0.1mm). This will vary depending on individual climate zones and expected weathering conditions.
Figure 1. Viscosities of grades 3103 and DP1-1852 Makrolon® polycarbonates.
You can find more information about most grades and standard values in Bayer product information bulletins. See www.bayermaterialsciencenafta /products/makrolon.
Apec® High Heat-Resistant Copolycarbonate
Solid sheet extrusion grades are available with varying Vicat softening temperature values as well as UV and flame-retardant properties.
| Table 2. Grades of Apec® copolycarbonates for solid sheet extrusion | |
| Grade | Properties |
| Apec® 1603 | UV stabilized, Vicat is 320°F (160ºC) |
| Apec® 1703 | UV stabilized, Vicat is 340°F (172ºC) |
| Apec® 1803 | UV stabilized, Vicat is 355°F (180ºC) |
| Apec® 2097 | UV stabilized, Vicat is 390°F (200ºC) |
| Apec® 1745 | Special grade for medical applications, Vicat is 340°F (172ºC) |
| Apec® DP1-9354/1 | Flame retardant, Vicat is 355°F (172ºC) |
1803 is a standard grade for solid sheet extrusion. It is UV stabilized, and its MVR is 8cm³/10 min. at 330°C under 2.16kg load. Special grades of Apec® copolycarbonate contain enhanced UV protection suitable for outdoor applications.
You can find more information about most grades and standard values in Bayer product information bulletins. See www.bayermaterialsciencenafta/products/apec.
Bayblend® Polycarbonate/Stryrenic Blends
The proprerties of Bayblend® polycarbonate/stryrenic alloys depend on the blend ratio. This broad property spectrum makes Bayblend® resins suitable for many different applications.
| Table 3. Grades of Bayblend® alloys for solid sheet extrusion | |
| Grade | Properties |
| Bayblend® T65 | Standard grade |
| Bayblend® T85 | Standard grade |
| Bayblend® FR3030 | Flame retardant |
| Bayblend® ET1000 | Mineral filled, high modulus |
| Bayblend® ET1100 | Mineral filled, high modulus, high heat, Vicat is 288ºF |
| Bayblend® T88-2N | 10% glass filled |
| Bayblend® T88-4N | 20% glass filled |
If the extruded sheets of Bayblend® alloy are intended for outdoor applications, additional weather protection may be necessary.
You can find more information about grades and standard values in the corresponding product information bulletins. See www.bayermaterialsciencenafta/products/bayblend.Makroblend® Polycarbonate/Polyester Blends
The properties of Makroblend® polycarbonate/polyester alloys depending on the blend ratio. This broad property spectrum makes Makroblend® resins suitable for many different applications.
| Table 4. Grades of Makroblend® alloys for solid sheet extrusion | |
| Grade | Properties |
| Makroblend® UT1018 | Low-temperature impact |
| Makroblend® UT153 | Low-temperature impact |
| Makroblend® DP UT5107 | Low-temperature impact |
| Makroblend® DP EC150 | Flame retardant |
| Makroblend® DP EC153 | Flame retardant |
| Makroblend® UT408 | Food contact grade |
| Makroblend® UT620G | 10% glass filled |
| Makroblend® UT640G | 20% glass filled |
| Makroblend® DP4-1386 | Transparent |
If sheets extruded of Makroblend® alloys are intended for outdoor applications, additional weather protection may be necessary.
You can find more information about most grades and standard values in Bayer product information bulletins. See www.bayermaterialsciencenafta/products/makroblends.
If you have any questions about Bayer resins, you can reach the technical team at BMS using the Contact form.
