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Polycarbonate (PC) Material Safety Data Sheet

Identification

Product Name: Polycarbonate
Chemical Family: Thermoplastic polymer
Synonyms: PC, Lexan, Makrolon
Recommended Use: Manufacturing of molded components, optical discs, glazing, medical devices
Manufacturer Contact: Refer to supplier label or purchase documentation
Emergency Phone: Hazmat response numbers differ by region, check label or chemical register
CAS Number: 25037-45-0

Hazard Identification

Classification: Not considered hazardous under normal handling conditions
Physical Hazards: Dust generated during processing may irritate respiratory system
Health Hazards: Overheating emits fumes, possibly causing headache, dizziness, nausea
Environmental Hazards: Pellets and dust threaten aquatic life if improperly discarded
GHS Label Elements: No classification required for solid material, keep vigilance with dust and fumes
Pictograms: None for solid form
Signal Word: None
Precautionary Statements: Prevent dust accumulation, work in well-ventilated areas if melting, handle hot material with care

Composition / Information on Ingredients

Chemical Name: Polycarbonate Resin
CAS Number: 25037-45-0
Typical Content: 97–100% Polycarbonate polymer
Common Additives: Colorants, flame retardants, UV stabilizers (<1–3%), exact amounts vary by product
Impurities: Residual monomers (trace to low ppm), external processing aids (minor percentages)
Hazardous Components: No regulated hazardous ingredients in typical polycarbonate grades

First Aid Measures

Inhalation: Move to fresh air, support breathing, seek medical aid if cough or irritation develops after inhaling dust or fumes from machining
Skin Contact: Remove contaminated clothing, rinse exposed skin with soap and water if melted polymer contacts skin, seek medical help for burns or persistent irritation
Eye Contact: Flush with water for at least 15 minutes if dust or hot polymer enters eyes, continue rinsing and get ophthalmological assessment
Ingestion: Rinse mouth, drink water, avoid inducing vomiting, obtain medical attention if symptoms persist
Most Important Symptoms: Mechanical irritation, burns from molten polymer, headache from fumes
Notes to Physician: Treat symptomatically according to exposure type

Fire-Fighting Measures

Suitable Extinguishing Media: Use water fog, dry chemical, foam, or carbon dioxide for small fires
Unsuitable Media: Avoid high-pressure water stalks which may spread burning material
Specific Hazards: Sustained burning possible at high temperature, toxic fumes include carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, possible phenolic compounds
Special Protective Equipment: Firefighters need self-contained breathing apparatus and full protective gear
Explosion Data: Fine dust accumulation presents ignition hazards in processing plants
Thermal Decomposition: Decomposition may release irritating or dangerous gases such as bisphenol A, phenol, diphenyl carbonate

Accidental Release Measures

Personal Precautions: Wear gloves, goggles, and dust mask to control contact and inhalation risk in the event of dust or pellet spills
Environmental Precautions: Prevent entry of spilled material into aquatic networks, municipal sewers, or stormwater drains
Methods for Cleaning Up: Sweep up pellets or vacuum dust, use spark-proof tools, store collected waste in designated containers for re-use or proper disposal
Other Precautions: Report large spills to site safety personnel, ensure adequate ventilation in processing zones after fire or thermal event

Handling and Storage

Handling: Handle with care to reduce dust, keep containers closed, avoid breathing fumes from molten or burned plastic
Storage: Store indoors in dry, cool, well-ventilated spaces, keep away from strong oxidizers, acids, alkalis, or ignition sources
Packaging Materials: Use original or approved containers, protect from physical damage and moisture
Special Considerations: Rotate inventory, shield from direct sunlight to reduce thermal or UV degradation
Hygiene Practices: Wash hands before eating, drinking, or smoking after handling polycarbonate granules or parts

Exposure Controls and Personal Protection

Exposure Limits: No formal occupational limits for PC dust, but maintain minimal airborne concentrations
Engineering Controls: Install local exhaust at processing equipment, maintain ambient air quality with general ventilation
Respiratory Protection: Use approved dust masks or respirators if dust formation exceeds recommended levels, or if fumes build up during high-heat operations
Skin Protection: Wear heat-resistant gloves and long sleeves to handle hot or molten polymer, regular chemical gloves suffice for granules
Eye Protection: Use safety goggles or face shields during pellet handling, processing, or when wind may blow dust or chips
Other Protective Measures: Eyewash stations and emergency showers should be accessible in all production settings where polycarbonate is melted or formed

Physical and Chemical Properties

Appearance: Transparent to slightly opaque granules or molded shapes, various colored & uncolored
Odor: Slight or odorless
Odor Threshold: Not determined
pH: Not applicable as supplied
Melting Point: 220–230°C (428–446°F)
Boiling Point: Not applicable
Flash Point: >450°C (>842°F)
Flammability: May sustain burning, self-extinguishing grades available
Explosive Properties: Dust explosion risk in fine particulate form
Vapor Pressure: Not applicable at room temperature
Relative Density: 1.2 g/cm³
Solubility: Insoluble in water; soluble in chlorinated solvents at high temperatures
Partition Coefficient: Not determined
Auto-ignition Temperature: >500°C (>932°F)
Decomposition Temperature: Begins at 300°C (572°F)
Viscosity: N/A to granules and solid parts

Stability and Reactivity

Stability: Remains stable under standard conditions of use and storage
Incompatible Materials: Strong acids, bases, oxidizing agents, halogens cause degradation or chemical reactions
Hazardous Decomposition: Releases carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, possibly phenol, bisphenol A vapors at high heat
Hazardous Polymerization: Will not occur under recommended use
Other Reactivity Notes: Absorbs moisture over time, may hydrolyze slowly in warm aqueous alkaline environments
Conditions to Avoid: Avoid overheating, prolonged sunlight exposure, and strong mechanical shock to minimize physical changes

Toxicological Information

Acute Toxicity: Not harmful under regular handling, minimal toxicity as solid material
Chronic Toxicity: Repeated inhalation of dust could cause respiratory tract discomfort
Skin Corrosion/Irritation: No evidence of irritation for intact skin, molten polymer causes burns
Eye Effects: Mechanical irritation from dust or chips, severe damage from splashes of hot material
Respiratory Effects: Heated fumes can cause short-term irritation, minimum risk with effective controls
Carcinogenicity: No classification by IARC or OSHA for finished polycarbonate; residual BPA monomer not a risk at trivial levels
Mutagenicity / Teratogenicity: Not identified as mutagenic or teratogenic in current literature
Other Data: Medical-grade and food-grade polycarbonate complies with relevant health standards

Ecological Information

Ecotoxicity: Large pellet or dust spills harm aquatic animals by ingestion or physical blockage
Persistence and Degradability: Extremely slow to degrade, typical persistence in natural environments for decades
Bioaccumulation: No significant bioaccumulation expected
Mobility in Soil: Settles in terrestrial environments, may be carried by runoff as microplastics
Other Adverse Effects: Improper disposal exacerbates plastic pollution, affecting waterways and land ecosystems
Decomposition: Sunlight and UV cause slow physical breakdown, not true mineralization
Regulatory Listings: Not classified as environmentally hazardous under most national standards, ongoing global scrutiny for plastic waste risks

Disposal Considerations

Waste Disposal Methods: Prefer mechanical recycling or energy recovery, solid landfill disposal remains common for non-recyclable or mixed grades
Incineration: Permitted where local regulation allows, only in properly equipped facilities with emission controls
Waste Codes: Check local and national codes for plastic (thermoplastic polymer) disposal
Handling Considerations: Do not release dust, granules, or finished pieces into natural water bodies or municipal drainage
Packaging Disposal: Recycle or send to approved waste handler according to resin code and regional policy
Other Notes: Residues and sweepings must follow similar procedures, enforce site-wide litter control to prevent wildlife exposure

Transport Information

UN Number: None designated for standard polycarbonate
Proper Shipping Name: Polycarbonate Resin (non-hazardous)
Transport Hazard Class: Not regulated
Packing Group: None
Special Transport Precautions: Use weatherproof bulk containers or lined tankers for pellets, avoid moisture, protect bags or drums from rupture
Environmental Hazards: Not a marine pollutant by regulatory definition, preventive steps guard against spill
Other Guidance: Comply with site safety rules for handling forklifts and trucks at receiving/shipping locations

Regulatory Information

Labeling Requirements: Polycarbonate products reflect compliance with global listing requirements, including REACH and TSCA
Inventory Status: Registered on TSCA (United States), EINECS (European Union), DSL (Canada), and other national inventories
Other U.S. Regulations: No SARA Title III listings, not subject to CERCLA threshold planning
European Union: Meets criteria for non-classified articles; may be subject to RoHS restrictions with certain additives
Special International Listings: Food Contact Notifications, FDA 21 CFR 177.1580 for grades used in packaging and medical
Worker Safety Standards: Reference local occupational health rules for workplace exposure and personal protection
Additional Certifications: Many suppliers certify absence of heavy metals, phthalates, or conflict minerals as requested by end users