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Polycarbonate Labels & Overlays

Craftsman label
Stanley Label
Emerson Graphic Overlay
Invacare Graphic Overlay
Craftsman label
Stanley Label
Emerson Graphic Overlay
Invacare Graphic Overlay

Polycarbonate Labels & Overlays

Label-Aid provides custom, high-quality polycarbonate labels, decals and tags. Polycarbonate is a very versatile durable plastic, which provides great strength at a light weight. Trade names used for polycarbonate include LEXAN, MAKROLON, ULTEM, and VALOX. Polycarbonate is the substrate of choice used for a majority of graphic overlay applications because of its cost versus benefits derived, as compared to other substrates available. As leading polycarbonate labels manufacturers, we offer a variety of adhesives and adhesive thicknesses in combination with polycarbonate to custom manufacture graphic overlays, decals, nameplates, faceplates, control panels, and labels. We also offer a range of textures for polycarbonate substrates, including velvet Lexan labels and overlays. In addition to its use in second surface printing such as with custom graphic overlays, it is used as a laminate to protect labels which are screen printed or digitally printed. Polycarbonate in thicknesses from 5 mil to 20 mil is available in stock.

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Applications

 

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Benefits of using Polycarbonate:

 

  • Excellent color reproduction
  • Easily embossed
  • Clean edges when die cut
  • Various finishes hide scratches well
  • Medical grades available which meet FDA regulations
  • Anti-Fog available
  • Outdoor versions which provide UV resistance and resist yellowing
  • Hardcoat available which improves the materials ability to resist abrasion
  • Superior as an insulator
  • Flame retardant versions are available, recognized by UL, which help insulate against heat and are RoHS, REACH, and WEEE 2006 compliant. Provide heat and dielectric shielding.
  • Non-halogenated versions which do not contain chlorine or bromine are available
  • Good abrasion and mar resistance
  • Good dielectric properties
  • Wide thermal stability range
  • Great optical clarity or clearness
  • Mechanical strength
  • Easily printable
  • Low moisture absorption
  • Puncture resistance
  • Heat resistant
  • Dimensionally stable
  • Good chemical resistance

Film Grade Selection Guide:

 

All polycarbonate grades share the same base polymer properties but differ in finish, flammability rating, and intended application. The table below covers all stocked grades.

Film Grade Finish Tensile Yield Light Trans. UL Flame Best For
LEXAN™ 8010 Clear / Gloss 8,500 psi 91% None Display windows; optical clarity; 91% transmission baseline
LEXAN™ 8A35 Velvet / Polished 8,500 psi 90% None Overlays/faceplates/nameplates; LED-compatible; no pretreatment for printing
LEXAN™ 8B35 Velvet / Matte 8,500 psi 80% None Anti-glare overlays; diffuse finish; LED-compatible
LEXAN™ 8B35V Velvet / Matte 8,500 psi 80% UL94 V-2 (E207780) Fire-safety overlays where V-2 is sufficient; same finish as 8B35
LEXAN™ FR700 Black Velvet/Matte 9,427–12,118 psi Opaque UL94 V-0 (E121562) Power supply insulation; bus-bar; EMI/RFI shielding; black only; Vicat 347°F
Dura-Go HP12W Velvet/Matte; UV coated 8,800 psi 90% None Outdoor graphics; Taber abrasion <1% Δhaze; UV trans. 14% at 380nm
Dura-Go FR65 Velvet/Matte; FR 10,000 psi 86% UL94 V-0 (E61257) Transparent flame-retardant; electrical/electronic/transportation
Dura-Go Velvet/Matte Velvet/Matte 8,500 psi Varies None Nameplates/faceplates/overlays; 5–15 mil; HP Indigo digital press certified
Dura-Go Velvet/Gloss Velvet/Gloss 8,500 psi Varies None Nameplates/faceplates/overlays; 10–20 mil; HP Indigo certified
Dura-Go Polished Polished/Polished 8,500 psi High clarity None High-clarity display windows; domed decal applications
Dura-Go Marnot™ Gloss; hardcoated 8,500 psi 86% None Hard surface; improved abrasion/chemical resistance; embossable

 

 

Full Mechanical & Thermal Specs:

Property Standard PC LEXAN FR700 (black) FR65 (transparent) ASTM Method
Tensile Strength @ Yield 8,500 psi / 62–63 MPa 9,427 psi / 61 MPa 10,000 psi / 70 MPa ASTM D882
Tensile Strength, Ultimate 9,000 psi / 65 MPa 12,118 psi / 66 MPa 8,700 psi / 60 MPa ASTM D882
Tensile Modulus 300,000 psi >377,000 psi >319,000 psi ASTM D882
Elongation at Break 100–160% 41% 100–160% ASTM D882
Gardner Impact (0.030″) 23 ft-lb / 31 J 11 ft-lb / 28 J 21 ft-lb / 28 J ASTM D3029
Tear, Initiation 1.4–1.8 lb/mil 1.43 lb/mil 1.4–1.8 lb/mil ASTM D1004
Glass Transition Temp. 307°F / 148–153°C 307°F / 153°C 307°F / 153°C ASTM D3417/D3418
Vicat Softening Temp. 323°F / 150–160°C 347°F / 175°C 347°F / 175°C ASTM 1525-00
Shrinkage at 302°F 1.40% 0.02% 0.02% ASTM D1204
Brittleness Temp. –211°F / –135°C –211°F / –135°C –211°F / –135°C ASTM D746
Light Transmission 80–91% Opaque (black) 86–90% ASTM D1003
Water Absorption (24 hr) 0.35% 0.28% 0.28% ASTM D570

Polycarbonate Textures

Many textures are available including (Front Texture listed first/Back or Printed Texture listed second):

  • Velvet/Polished
  • Brushed/Polished
  • Polished/Fine Matte
  • Polished/Matte
  • Polished/Polished
  • Suede/Matte

Haze & Light Transmission of Polycarbonate

Haze refers to the amount of light which is allowed (or not allowed) or scattered when viewing through polycarbonate. While polycarbonate can be made optically clear, an effect can be manufactured into polycarbonate that allows for the desire of a haze or frosted look when viewing through the windows of the graphic overlay on certain products. Some of these products include automotive dashboards, consumer electronics, and other backlit applications (Some call this a diffused look or a diffuser). Light can be diffused without any hot spots with percentages ranging from 2% to 90%.

Some considerations to remember, while polycarbonate is a widely used material for graphic overlays, nameplates, and faceplates there are some situations where it may not be the best choice. Polycarbonate is good in all the situations below, but polyester would be a better choice (and more costly) if the situation is extreme. When a switch will be actuated (pushed) often, and a very long life is needed, polycarbonate might crack over time. Polyester provides a much longer flex life without cracking than polycarbonate

  • Extreme chemical resistance
  • Extreme abrasion resistance
  • Long outdoor life needed

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