Evaluation of long-term stability and degradation on polycarbonate based plastic glass

Abstract

Abstract Polycarbonate (PC) is mainly used as plastic glass in the industrial field. PC has many advantages such as light weight and high impact strength as compared to inorganic glass. However, the long-term stability of PC through the service life has not been fully examined. The authors analyzed the degradation behavior of PC glass through long-term artificial weathering conditions. The PC glass became yellowish through artificial weathering; however, the mechanical strength, for example, the flexural strength and the impact strength, were sufficient for its use as actual window glass of the public transportation. Moreover, improved PC is expected to have a longer service life as compared to ordinary PC. In addition, the evaluation of the degradation of PC-based plastic glass was studied with use of color measurement.