Polycarbonate vs. Plastic: Know the Difference
By Shumaila Saeed || Published on January 5, 2024
Polycarbonate is a strong, heat-resistant type of plastic, known for its clarity and toughness, while "plastic" is a broader category of synthetic or semi-synthetic materials with various properties.
Key Differences
Polycarbonate is a specific type of plastic, known for its exceptional strength and transparency. It's a thermoplastic polymer containing carbonate groups. Plastic, in general, is a wider category encompassing various synthetic or semi-synthetic organic compounds, which can be molded into different shapes and have diverse properties.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 05, 2024
Polycarbonate stands out for its high impact resistance, making it suitable for demanding applications like bulletproof glass. It's more durable compared to many other plastics. Plastics, as a group, vary widely in strength and durability, with some types being quite fragile and others, like polycarbonate, being exceptionally strong.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 05, 2024
Polycarbonate is often used in situations requiring transparency and high strength, such as in eyewear lenses and protective covers. Plastics, due to their versatility, find usage in a vast range of products from packaging materials to automotive parts, with each type having specific applications based on its properties.
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Jan 05, 2024
Polycarbonate is more challenging to recycle due to its chemical structure and often ends up in landfills. Plastics, in general, have a significant environmental impact, though some types are more easily recyclable than others, influencing their overall environmental footprint.
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Jan 05, 2024
Polycarbonate tends to be more expensive to produce due to its specialized properties. In contrast, many plastics are relatively cheaper and easier to manufacture, making them widely used in a variety of commercial and industrial products.
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Jan 05, 2024
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Comparison Chart
Composition
A specific type of thermoplastic with carbonate groups
A broad category of synthetic or semi-synthetic materials
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Durability
High impact resistance and toughness
Varies widely, from fragile to very strong
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Jan 05, 2024
Common Uses
Bulletproof glass, eyewear lenses, protective covers
Packaging, toys, automotive parts, household items
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Jan 05, 2024
Environmental Impact
Harder to recycle, often ends in landfills
Varies; some easily recyclable, others not
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Jan 05, 2024
Cost
Generally more expensive to produce
Ranges from cheap to expensive, depending on type
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Jan 05, 2024
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Polycarbonate and Plastic Definitions
Polycarbonate
A thermoplastic polymer containing carbonate groups.
Polycarbonate panels are often used in greenhouse construction because of their clarity and strength.
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Dec 28, 2023
Plastic
Material used in a wide variety of applications due to its versatility.
They used recycled plastic to make eco-friendly furniture.
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Dec 28, 2023
Polycarbonate
A type of plastic known for its high impact strength.
The company chose polycarbonate for their safety helmets due to its exceptional durability.
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Dec 28, 2023
Plastic
A term for materials made from polymers that can be easily shaped.
The artist used plastic to create a series of modern sculptures.
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Dec 28, 2023
Polycarbonate
A plastic often used in medical devices for its clarity and toughness.
The medical syringes were made of polycarbonate to ensure safety and durability.
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Polycarbonate
A material used in bulletproof glass and CDs.
The bank installed polycarbonate windows for added security.
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Plastic
Relating to or dealing with shaping or modeling
The plastic art of sculpture.
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Dec 27, 2023
Polycarbonate
A durable, transparent thermoplastic.
The eyeglasses were made of polycarbonate, ensuring they were both lightweight and resistant to impact.
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Dec 28, 2023
Plastic
Having the qualities of sculpture; well-formed
"the astonishing plastic beauty of the chorus girls" (Frank Harris).
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Dec 27, 2023
Polycarbonate
Any of a group of thermoplastics that are linear polyesters of carbonic acid, especially those derived from bisphenol A and phosgene, characterized by high-impact strength, light weight, and flexibility, and used as shatter-resistant substitutes for glass.
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Dec 27, 2023
Plastic
Giving form or shape to a substance
The plastic forces that create and wear down a mountain range.
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Polycarbonate
(chemistry) Any of a range of polymers of aromatic carbonates; they are used to make light, flexible alternatives to glass. Abbreviation: PC
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Dec 27, 2023
Plastic
Easily influenced; impressionable
"The plastic mind of the bank clerk had been ... distorted by what he had read" (Rudyard Kipling).
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Plastic
(Physics) Capable of undergoing continuous deformation without rupture or relaxation.
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Plastic
Able to change and adapt, especially by acquiring alternative pathways for sensory perception or motor skills. Used of the central nervous system.
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Plastic
Marked by artificiality or superficiality
A plastic world of fad, hype, and sensation.
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Plastic
Any of various organic compounds produced by polymerization, capable of being molded, extruded, cast into various shapes and films, or drawn into filaments used as textile fibers.
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Plastic
(Informal) A credit card or credit cards
Would accept cash or plastic in payment.
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Dec 27, 2023
Plastic
A synthetic, solid, hydrocarbon-based polymer, whether thermoplastic or thermosetting.
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Plastic
Credit or debit cards used in place of cash to buy goods and services.
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Plastic
Insincerity; fakeness, or a person who is fake or arrogant, or believes that they are better than the rest of the population.
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Plastic
(biology) Capable of adapting to varying conditions; characterized by environmental adaptability.
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Plastic
Of or pertaining to the inelastic, non-brittle, deformation of a material.
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Plastic
Having the power to give form or fashion to a mass of matter; as, the plastic hand of the Creator.
See plastic Nature working to his end.
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Plastic
Capable of being molded, formed, or modeled, as clay or plaster; - used also figuratively; as, the plastic mind of a child.
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Plastic
Pertaining or appropriate to, or characteristic of, molding or modeling; produced by, or appearing as if produced by, molding or modeling; - said of sculpture and the kindred arts, in distinction from painting and the graphic arts.
Medallions . . . fraught with the plastic beauty and grace of the palmy days of Italian art.
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Dec 27, 2023
Plastic
A substance composed predominantly of a synthetic organic high polymer capable of being cast or molded; many varieties of plastic are used to produce articles of commerce (after 1900). [MW10 gives origin of word as 1905]
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Dec 27, 2023
Plastic
Generic name for certain synthetic or semisynthetic materials that can be molded or extruded into objects or films or filaments or used for making e.g. coatings and adhesives
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Dec 27, 2023
Plastic
Used of the imagination;
Material...transformed by the plastic power of the imagination
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Plastic
Capable of being molded or modeled (especially of earth or clay or other soft material);
Plastic substances such as wax or clay
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Plastic
Capable of being influenced or formed;
The plastic minds of children
A pliant nature
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Plastic
A synthetic material that can be molded when soft.
The toy manufacturer used plastic to create affordable and colorful toys.
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Dec 28, 2023
Plastic
A broad category of synthetic or semi-synthetic organic compounds.
Plastic bottles are widely used for packaging beverages.
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Plastic
A substance often criticized for its environmental impact.
The city implemented a ban on single-use plastic bags to reduce pollution.
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Repeatedly Asked Queries
Can polycarbonate be recycled?
Recycling polycarbonate is challenging due to its chemical structure.
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Jan 05, 2024
What is polycarbonate?
Polycarbonate is a strong, transparent type of plastic known for its impact resistance.
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Jan 05, 2024
Are all plastics the same as polycarbonate?
No, polycarbonate is a specific type of plastic, distinguished by its strength and clarity.
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Jan 05, 2024
Can plastic be biodegradable?
Some modern plastics are designed to be biodegradable, but not all.
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Jan 05, 2024
What is the cost comparison between polycarbonate and other plastics?
Polycarbonate is generally more expensive than many other types of plastic.
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Jan 05, 2024
How does the environmental impact of polycarbonate compare to other plastics?
Polycarbonate's environmental impact is generally higher due to its lesser recyclability.
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Jan 05, 2024
Why is polycarbonate used in safety equipment?
Its high impact resistance makes polycarbonate ideal for safety equipment.
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Jan 05, 2024
Can plastic be transparent like polycarbonate?
Some plastics are transparent, but polycarbonate is known for its exceptional clarity.
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Jan 05, 2024
How is plastic defined?
Plastic refers to a range of synthetic or semi-synthetic materials that can be molded.
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Jan 05, 2024
What are common uses of plastic?
Plastic is used for various applications like packaging, toys, and household items.
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Jan 05, 2024
Is polycarbonate safe for food contact?
Yes, food-grade polycarbonate is considered safe for food contact.
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Jan 05, 2024
What are the limitations of using polycarbonate?
Cost and environmental concerns are its main limitations.
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Jan 05, 2024
What differentiates polycarbonate from other plastics in terms of strength?
Polycarbonate is exceptionally strong and resistant to impact, more so than many other plastics.
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Jan 05, 2024
Is polycarbonate environmentally friendly?
Polycarbonate is less eco-friendly due to difficulties in recycling and potential BPA content.
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Jan 05, 2024
Can plastics be as strong as polycarbonate?
Some high-strength plastics can approach the strength of polycarbonate, but it's often superior.
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Jan 05, 2024
Do all plastics have the same heat resistance as polycarbonate?
No, polycarbonate has higher heat resistance compared to many other plastics.
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Jan 05, 2024
Is polycarbonate always clear?
While typically clear, polycarbonate can be colored or tinted for various applications.
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Jan 05, 2024
Why is polycarbonate preferred for eyewear lenses?
Its clarity and impact resistance make it ideal for protective eyewear.
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Jan 05, 2024
Are polycarbonate products heavier than other plastic products?
Not necessarily; polycarbonate is lightweight compared to its strength.
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Jan 05, 2024
Is the manufacturing process for polycarbonate different from other plastics?
Yes, it often requires different processes and materials.
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Jan 05, 2024
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About Author
Written by
Shumaila SaeedShumaila Saeed, an expert content creator with 6 years of experience, specializes in distilling complex topics into easily digestible comparisons, shining a light on the nuances that both inform and educate readers with clarity and accuracy.
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