Makrolon® ET3113 from Covestro is a high-viscosity, impact-resistant and UV-stabilized extrusion polycarbonate (PC). The designation ET = Extrusion Transparent: high molecular weight and a low MVR of ~6 cm³/10 min (300 °C / 1.2 kg) provide melt stability during sheet extrusion — solid sheet, multiwall sheet and corrugated sheet. This is a feedstock material for sheet semi-finished products, not an injection-molding grade.

How ET3113 differs from other Makrolon series

• ET series (Extrusion Transparent) — high viscosity for complex extrusion profiles and sheet, UV stabilization for outdoor applications.
• LQ series (Low viscosity) — injection molding, optical lenses, transparent electronics housings. If you need spectacle/ophthalmic lenses, that is LQ or Apec, not ET.
• OD series (Optical Disc) — a highly specialized grade for precision optical media with minimal birefringence.
• DP/RX series — medical/food-contact grades for bottles and containers.

Advantages

• Extrusion stability with complex profiles (multiwall, corrugated sheet with thin webs)
• High impact strength over a wide temperature range (-40 … +100 °C)
• Transparency up to 88 %, with the option of thermoforming the sheet into finished parts
• UV stabilization for architectural and outdoor applications
• Compatibility with standard Covestro/SABIC/Plaskolite extrusion tooling
• Suitable for lamination, hardcoat application and co-extrusion with PMMA for improved scratch resistance

Limitations — stated honestly

• Not an injection-molding grade. The high viscosity makes quality injection moulding of thin-walled optical parts impossible — for eyewear, helmets and housings use Makrolon LQ or Apec.
• Not for ophthalmic lenses or eyewear. These products require OD/LQ grades with controlled birefringence and precision injection.
• Scratch-sensitive — for architectural and safety applications a hardcoat (Margard type) or lamination with PMMA is recommended
• Stress cracking on contact with aliphatic hydrocarbons, ketones and alkalis — incompatible with solvents
• Yellowing index in the absence of proper UV protection — the declared ET3113 package typically delivers 5-7 years outdoors without significant yellowing
• Moisture-sensitive before processing — drying at 120 °C for 3-4 h to <0.02 %

Target applications (extruded sheet)

Architecture and construction: transparent roofs and canopies (multiwall sheet), skylights and roof lights, partitions in shopping centers, greenhouses and cold frames with UV protection, noise barriers along highways.

Industry and safety: protective guards for machine tools and automated lines, transparent conveyor shields, bullet-resistant multilayer laminates (as the PC component), riot shields via sheet thermoforming.

Transport: glazing for public transport (trams, buses), protective partitions in cabs, interior trim elements.

Advertising and POS: light-box front panels, vending machine screens, transparent displays and showcases.

All the listed applications use sheet as the starting stock with subsequent thermoforming or CNC machining, not injection moulding.

Global equivalents

Parametrically comparable extrusion PC sheet products: SABIC LEXAN Margard MR10/MR5E (UV-coated solid sheet), Plaskolite OPTIX SG (general purpose), Arla Plast Arla LSG (UV-stab outdoor), 3A Composites POLYGAL Multiwall (multiwall sheet for greenhouses), Trinseo CALIBRE 200-22 (extrusion grade). For comparison: optical/lens grades are Makrolon® LQ2647, Bayer Apec 1745, Trinseo CALIBRE 2080 — an entirely different product class.

The stated values are measured by in-house methods close to the corresponding ISO and GOST standards. This information is provided for reference only and is not an official batch data sheet. Before industrial use, please request the Covestro TDS and MSDS for the specific batch.

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Exablend PC 2500A is a high-performance flame-retardant polycarbonate rated V0 per the UL94 standard. This makes it suitable for manufacturing products that require high flame resistance and safety. The material offers outstanding mechanical, thermal and electrical-insulating properties, along with dimensional stability and ease of processing, making it an ideal choice for a wide range of applications in industry and construction. It supports efficient reuse and reduces energy consumption and CO2 emissions.

Advantages:

• High heat resistance
• High flame retardancy, V0 per UL94 for thin-walled parts
• Excellent processability
• Excellent mechanical strength and impact resistance
• Excellent optical properties

Applications:

Used for connectors, housings, switches, insulators and protective panels. Applied as protective panels, fire-resistant partitions and other elements where fire safety is essential. Production of containers, packaging and household items that require safety and resistance to high temperatures. Manufacture of interior and exterior components requiring flame resistance and high mechanical strength.

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Makrolon 2407 from Covestro is a general-purpose, low-viscosity polycarbonate (PC). It is UV-stabilized and offers easy mold release, high heat resistance, good strength and good electrical insulation properties. Suitable for injection-molding processing. Makrolon 2407 is used in electrical engineering and electronics.

Advantages:

• Dimensional stability
• High strength and stiffness
• High weather resistance, UV stability
• Good electrical properties
• Safe to use

Applications:

Makrolon 2407 is used in optics: eyeglass lenses, safety glasses, ophthalmic lenses. Industrial packaging — large-volume water bottles. It is also used in construction, home appliances, automotive applications, and safety and security systems.

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TARFLON IV1900R is a high-flow polycarbonate for injection molding. It offers a high-gloss effect, transparency and excellent electrical properties. The material has good resistance to heat and weathering. This polycarbonate complies with RoHS environmental standards and carries a UL94 V-2 flammability rating.

Advantages:

• Gloss effect and transparency
• Resistance to weather and atmospheric conditions
• Self-extinguishing behavior, V-2 flammability rating

Applications:

Vending machine components: control panels, housings and transparent display elements.
Household appliances: parts for vacuum cleaners, irons and dryers.
Protective equipment: including helmets and safety glasses.
Automotive components: headlamp covers and other transparent or glossy elements.

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LEXAN Resin 3412R from SABIC is a flame-retardant polycarbonate reinforced with 20% glass fiber. It is amorphous and demonstrates good processability.
It provides excellent stiffness together with highly stable mechanical, electrical, optical and thermal properties. LEXAN offers an optimal combination of high tensile modulus and excellent impact strength. LEXAN Resin 3412R demonstrates exceptional dimensional stability and good transparency.
It is processed by injection molding.

Advantages:

• High flame resistance
• Excellent thermal properties
• Strength thanks to glass fiber reinforcement
• Good dielectric strength and insulating properties
• Environmental friendliness and safety

Applications:

Production of insulators, connectors and other components that must withstand high electrical loads. Used in the production of housings and protective panels for luminaires, floodlights and other lighting equipment. Production of fire-resistant panels and protective screens used in construction and architecture. Use in housings and components of household appliances, such as control panels, protective enclosures and other parts that must be resistant to fire and high temperatures.

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Exablend® PC 901 — UV-stabilized transparent polycarbonate rated UL 94 V-2 from Material Wizard. An injection-molding PC grade with a HALS + UV absorber package (internal or surface-applied, on request) for outdoor applications requiring long-term retention of light transmittance and mechanical properties under solar radiation. Based on the same platform as Exablend® PC 900 (medium-flow), but with additional protection against yellowing and photodegradation.

What exactly the UV package provides (differences from the base PC 900)

• Transparency retention: yellowing (Δb*) reduced by 50–70 % after 2000 h of UV exposure (QUV, ASTM G154 cycle 1) compared with pure PC.
• Impact strength retention: 5–7 years of continuous outdoor service without Charpy notched dropping below 50 % of the initial value.
• Protection against microcracks (UV-induced crazing): minimal surface defects after 3+ years outdoors.
• Compatibility with subsequent coatings: an additional AR/MAR hardcoat is possible to extend service life to 10–15 years.

Exablend® PC series — positioning

• Exablend® PC 900 — base transparent V-2 for indoor use
• Exablend® PC 901 — UV-stabilized transparent V-2 for outdoor use (this card)
• Exablend® PC GF 930 — glass-filled PC GF30 for structural parts
• Exablend® PC/ABS 965 — PC+ABS blend for complex-geometry parts

Advantages

• Outdoor durability: 5–7 years of optical and mechanical property retention in a Central European climate (UV dose ~600 MJ/m² per year)
• Retention of transparency and impact strength after prolonged exposure
• Compatible with AR/hardcoat for extended-service applications (10–15 years)
• Same molding platform as PC 900 — migration between indoor/outdoor variants without tooling readjustment
• V-2 out of the box without loss of transparency
• Colorable in transparent tints (with verification of compatibility with the UV package)
• Dimensional stability under seasonal temperature/humidity cycles

Limitations — honestly

• V-2 only, not V-0. FR V-0 outdoor applications require separate FR PC grades (made to order)
• The UV package adds ~5–10 % to the price of the base PC 900
• Initial light transmittance may be 0.5–1 % lower than the base PC 900 due to UV absorbers
• In extremely hot climates (Arabia, North Africa) the UV dose exceeds the European level by 2–3 times — actual outdoor durability is reduced to 3–4 years without an additional hardcoat
• Stress cracking on contact with solvents (see PC 900 limitations) — the UV package does not change chemical resistance
• Scratch sensitivity — a hardcoat / AR coating is recommended for outdoor applications
• Mandatory drying before processing: 120 °C, 3–4 h to <0.02 % moisture

Target applications

Architectural lighting: street lamp diffusers, park lamp housings, transparent landscape lighting components, facade lighting modules.

Transport lighting: headlamp diffusers for commercial vehicles, marker lights, transparent components of road signs and traffic control equipment.

Road infrastructure: transparent protective covers for CCTV cameras, outdoor sensor housings, protective screens for information displays (without AR — with AR for 10+ years).

Outdoor electronics: transparent windows for mobile network antenna modules, outdoor GPS receiver housings, transparent protective screens for outdoor displays.

Sports and leisure: transparent components for pleasure boats (portholes), pool lighting housings, transparent protective shields for sports arenas (hockey, tennis).

Global equivalents

Parametrically comparable injection-molding UV-stabilized PC grades: Covestro Makrolon® AL 2647 / 2807, SABIC LEXAN XHT 4141R / XHT 154R, Trinseo CALIBRE 200-22 (with UV additive), Mitsubishi Iupilon S-3000R, Teijin Panlite L-1225UV. Exablend® PC 901 is offered as a localized alternative with flexibility in UV package type (internal HALS+UVA vs surface AR coating), batch size (from 25 kg), color and MFR.

The stated values are measured by in-house methods close to the corresponding ISO and GOST standards. The information is for reference only and is not an official batch technical data sheet. Before industrial use, please request the TDS, MSDS and UV-stability data for the specific batch.

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Exablend® PC GF 930 — glass-filled polycarbonate with 30 % short-cut glass fiber from Material Wizard. An injection-molding compound on a polycarbonate matrix with GF reinforcement and a compatibilizer package for strong fiber-to-matrix adhesion. Designed for structural parts that require increased stiffness (modulus 6–7 GPa), dimensional stability under thermal cycling, low thermal expansion, and impact toughness combined with high heat resistance.

Exablend® PC series — where GF 930 fits

• Exablend® PC 900 — base transparent V-2 indoor grade (molding of transparent parts)
• Exablend® PC 901 — UV-stabilized transparent V-2 outdoor grade
• Exablend® PC GF 930 — glass-filled for structural loads (this page)
• Exablend® PC/ABS 965 — PC+ABS blend for parts with complex geometry

What 30 % GF reinforcement adds to polycarbonate

• Tensile modulus: 6500–7500 MPa vs 2400 MPa for unfilled PC — a threefold increase.
• Thermal expansion (CTE): reduced from 70 × 10⁻⁶ K⁻¹ (PC) to 25–30 × 10⁻⁶ K⁻¹ (PC + 30 % GF) — close to metals, important for hybrid metal-polymer parts.
• Dimensional stability: creep under load at 100 °C is 4–5 times lower than for unfilled PC.
• HDT/A (1.8 MPa): rises to 135–145 °C vs 125 °C for unfilled PC — a wider operating temperature range.
• Trade-off: transparency is lost (the material becomes opaque) and impact strength decreases (from 65 to 8–12 kJ/m²) — the typical compromise of GF-reinforced amorphous plastics.

Advantages

• High modulus of 6–7 GPa — structural stiffness close to aluminum on a weight-specific basis
• Low thermal expansion — critical for hybrid metal-polymer parts (cameras, optical systems)
• High dimensional stability under thermal cycling at -40 … +120 °C
• Low creep under load — long-term service at 100 °C without significant deformation
• Dimensionally stable under humidity changes (water absorption 0.15 % vs 1.5 % for PA66 GF30)
• Good adhesion to metals via mechanical interlock — for overmolding applications
• Colorable to standard RAL/Pantone shades

Limitations — honestly

• Opaque. Not for optical applications — for transparent structural parts use unfilled PC or the Makrolon LQ series
• Notched impact strength reduced to 8–12 kJ/m² — not for parts under high impact loads
• Brittle failure behavior — design for creep, not for impact energy
• Anisotropy of shrinkage and modulus along fiber flow lines — requires a carefully engineered gate, especially for thin-walled and asymmetric parts
• Visible fiber surface on thin walls (white streaks) — cosmetic applications require texturing or painting
• High processing temperature (melt 290–320 °C) — hot-runner tooling, stainless steel components
• Mandatory drying before processing: 120 °C, 4–5 h to <0.02 % moisture
• Base grade is HB — V-0 requires separate FR grades (on request)

Target applications

Electrical engineering: structural switchgear housings, chassis and frames for power electronics, medium-voltage device insulators, contactor and starter housings.

Electronics and instrumentation: rigid chassis for high-precision instruments, housings for optical devices and cameras (where CTE is critical for alignment), optical stabilization brackets, frames for 5G/mmWave antenna systems.

Industrial equipment: structural parts of machine tools and automated lines with stiffness and thermal stability requirements, precision sensor housings, linear module guides.

Transport: structural parts of automotive electronics, control unit housings, mounting brackets for electronic modules in the engine bay (subject to the temperature limit).

Aerospace and defense (secondary structures): mounting brackets, auxiliary equipment housings, power connector insulators, structural parts without primary-structure requirements.

Global equivalents

Parametrically comparable injection-molding PC GF30 grades: Covestro Makrolon® 8035 / 8345, SABIC LEXAN 3412R / 3413R, Trinseo CALIBRE 5031-30, Mitsubishi Iupilon GS-3030 R, Teijin Panlite G-3430R. Exablend® PC GF 930 is offered as a localized alternative with flexibility in batch size (from 25 kg), MFR, color and optional additives (UV, FR, conductive).

The stated values are measured by in-house methods close to the corresponding ISO and GOST standards. This information is for reference only and does not constitute an official batch data sheet. Please request the TDS and MSDS for a specific batch before industrial use.

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Exablend® PC 900 is a transparent injection molding polycarbonate rated UL 94 V-2 from Material Wizard. A standard medium-flow injection grade of polycarbonate for precision thin-walled parts with high light transmission, impact strength and basic flame retardancy. The base formulation without UV stabilization is intended for indoor use. For outdoor applications, the UV-stabilized modification Exablend® PC 901 is available.

Exablend® PC series — how to choose a grade

• Exablend® PC 900 — base transparent V-2 for indoor use (this product card)
• Exablend® PC 901 — UV-stabilized transparent V-2 for outdoor use
• Exablend® PC GF 930 — glass-filled PC GF30 for structural parts with increased stiffness and dimensional stability
• Exablend® PC/ABS 965 — PC+ABS blend for parts with complex geometry and reduced water absorption

Advantages

• High impact strength over a wide temperature range (-40 … +120 °C) — characteristic of the PC class
• Light transmission of ~88 % with minimal haze — for optically clear housings and lenses
• V-2 out of the box without loss of transparency (a typical problem of FR additives in PC)
• Good flow for thin-walled housings of 1.0–1.5 mm
• Stable dimensions under humidity changes (water absorption 0.15 % vs 1.5–3 % for PA)
• Compatible with hard-coat coatings (Margard type, AR) for anti-scratch requirements
• Can be tinted in any transparent shades (transparent tinted) while retaining V-2

Limitations — honestly

• V-2, not V-0. V-0 requires dedicated FR grades with minimal change in transparency (made to order)
• Not for outdoor use in the base formulation — pure PC yellows under UV within 6–12 months. For outdoor use choose Exablend® PC 901 or third-party UV-coated solutions
• Sensitive to stress cracking in contact with aliphatic hydrocarbons, ketones, acetone and alkalis — incompatible with cleaning solvents
• The surface is scratch-sensitive — cosmetic applications require a hard coat (AR/MAR)
• Mandatory drying before processing: 120 °C, 3–4 h down to <0.02 % moisture — otherwise visible silver streaks appear on the surface
• High processing temperature (melt 280–310 °C) — hot-runner tooling is preferable
• Light transmission drops by 5–8 % after 1000 h of UV exposure — transparent outdoor applications require a stabilized grade

Target applications

Lighting: diffusers for household and office LED luminaires, housings of transparent decorative lamps, elements of flashlights and portable light sources.

Electronics: transparent housings of handheld devices, display windows (with hard coat), protective panels of instrument clusters, housings of USB devices and adapters.

Medical and laboratory equipment: equipment inspection windows, transparent protective screens, cuvettes and labware (USP Class VI compliance on request), elements of sterilizable housings.

Home appliances: transparent microwave doors / windows, baking equipment elements with visual monitoring, housings of blenders and food processors.

Industrial safety: protective machine guards (indoor), machine tool inspection windows, transparent conveyor guards.

Global counterparts

Parametrically comparable transparent injection molding PC V-2 grades: Covestro Makrolon® 2407 / 2607, SABIC LEXAN 121R / 144R, Trinseo CALIBRE 200-22, Mitsubishi Iupilon E-2000R, Teijin Panlite L-1225Y. Exablend® PC 900 is offered as a localized alternative with flexibility in batch size (from 25 kg), MFR, color and optional additives (UV, AR coating, IR-block).

The stated values are measured by internal methods close to the corresponding ISO and GOST standards. This information is for reference only and is not an official technical data sheet for a batch. Before industrial use, please request the TDS and MSDS for the specific batch.

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Exablend® PC/ABS-965 — polycarbonate/acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene blend from Material Wizard. An injection-molding compound based on a PC/ABS blend (typical 60:40 PC:ABS ratio) with a compatibility package and optimized rheology for thin-wall molding of complex geometries. It combines the stiffness and heat resistance of polycarbonate with the improved processability and low-temperature impact strength of ABS. Complies with the requirements of EU Directive 95/28/EC on fire safety of vehicle interiors.

Exablend® PC series — positioning

• Exablend® PC-900 — base transparent V-2 indoor grade
• Exablend® PC UV-901 — UV-stabilized transparent V-2 outdoor grade
• Exablend® PC GF30-930 — glass-filled structural grade
• Exablend® PC/ABS-965 — PC+ABS blend, easy processing + 95/28/EC (this card)

How PC/ABS differs from pure PC and pure ABS

• vs pure PC: improved processability (thin 0.8 mm walls), low-temperature impact strength retained down to -40 °C, ~20-30 % lower cost, better paintability
• vs pure ABS: substantially higher heat resistance (HDT/A ~100 °C vs 85 °C for ABS), better stiffness, chemical resistance improved by the PC phase
• Unique balance: combines drop strength, temperature resistance and ease of painting — critical for visible automotive interior parts
• 95/28/EC compliance: passed flammability tests for bus and passenger railcar interiors (horizontal test ≤100 mm/min)

Advantages

• Excellent impact strength over a wide temperature range (-40 … +100 °C)
• High stiffness and dimensional stability at moderate density (1.12-1.15 g/cm³)
• Excellent weather resistance and color retention (without the pronounced yellowing of pure PC)
• Easy processing by standard injection molding, melt temperature 250-280 °C (lower than pure PC)
• Colorable to any RAL/Pantone shades with UV resistance (when HALS is added)
• Good electrostatic paintability and metallization after primer
• Compliance with EU 95/28/EC, IMO MED, EN 45545-2 HL2 (with FR additive)
• RoHS 2 (2011/65/EU + 2015/863), REACH SVHC compliant

Limitations — honestly

• The base grade is rated UL 94 HB — V-0 / V-2 applications require separate FR grades with a halogenated or phosphorus package
• Stress cracking on contact with aliphatic hydrocarbons, ketones, acetone (typical of PC-containing blends)
• Without UV stabilization it may yellow after 1-2 years outdoors — for outdoor use choose the made-to-order UV-stabilized variant
• Moisture sensitivity before processing: drying at 105 °C, 3-4 h to <0.02 %
• Not for transparent applications (PC/ABS is opaque)
• Brittleness at extremely low temperatures (-50 °C and below) — for arctic applications use impact-modified PC/ABS
• Sensitive to lead-free soldering (260 °C) — expect creep; for reflow applications pure PC or PPA is a better choice

Target applications

Automotive (interior): instrument panels, center console trims, display bezels, air vent housings, AHU components, door trim (visible painted side).

Public transport (95/28/EC, EN 45545): interior lining of buses, passenger railcars and metro cars, information display housings, handrail holders, passenger seat components.

Electronics and IT: IT rack and server enclosures, monitor and projector frames, printer and multifunction device housings, external HDD and cooling system components.

Household appliances: housings of coffee machines and food processors, bases of high-power fans, front panels of stoves and ovens (without direct contact with hot surfaces).

Industry and tools: power hand-tool housings, control console front panels, battery pack housings for cordless tools.

Global equivalents

Parametrically comparable injection-molding PC/ABS blends: SABIC Cycoloy® C2950 / C6200, Covestro Bayblend® T 65 XF / T 85 XF, Trinseo Pulse® 2200 BG, Mitsubishi Iupilon® MB-1115R, RTP 2300 Series. Exablend® PC/ABS-965 is offered as a localized alternative with flexibility in PC:ABS ratio (from 50:50 to 70:30), color, MFR and optional FR packages.

The stated values are measured by in-house methods close to the corresponding ISO and GOST standards. The information is for reference only and is not an official batch technical data sheet. Before industrial use, please request the TDS and MSDS for the specific batch.

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