🧩 PC+Lexan – Lexan® Polycarbonate (SABIC Blend)
(Lexan® brand polycarbonate material, produced by SABIC – renowned for clarity, impact resistance, and thermal stability. It is the global industry standard for transparent and technical parts used in headlights, housings, panels, and automotive protective elements.)
🔹 What is PC+Lexan
Lexan® is a commercial polycarbonate developed by SABIC. The term “PC+Lexan” refers to materials that combine base polycarbonate (PC) with special Lexan® grades (modified with UV additives, flame retardants, reinforcements, or elastomers).
Lexan is considered one of the highest-performing polycarbonates in the world — clear as glass, 250× more impact-resistant, yet 50% lighter. It is used throughout the automotive industry due to its excellent durability, transparency, and thermal stability.
🔧 Composition
- Polycarbonate (PC): 95–100 % (pure Lexan® base).
- Specific Additives: 0–5 % (UV stabilizers, elastomers, optical agents).
- Density: 1.20–1.22 g/cm³.
- Melting Point: ≈ 230–240 °C.
- Chemical Resistance: Moderate (sensitive to strong solvents).
- UV Resistance: Very good (SLX, Exell D, HPX series).
- Transparency: Up to 90 %.
🚗 Where PC+Lexan is used in the automotive industry
| Component | Example parts | Observations |
| Headlights / Taillights | Lenses, diffusers, covers | Exceptional transparency and hardness |
| Car Interior | Decorative caps, frames, buttons | Optical gloss and impact resistance |
| Technical Exterior | Sensor covers, shields, clear plates | High UV resistance |
| Technical / Struct. | Module housings, protective covers | Thermal stability and rigidity |
🔧 Welding Temperature and Methods
| Method | Optimal Temperature | Observations |
| Hot Air | 260 – 280 °C | Most common method for Lexan |
| Heat Plate (Mirror) | 250 – 270 °C | Clean joint, no optical distortion |
| Manual Extrusion | 250 – 270 °C | For long cracks or narrow edges |
🔩 What to Weld PC+Lexan With (Material Compatibility)
As pure or modified polycarbonate, Lexan has high compatibility with PC blends and its derivatives.
✅ Compatible with:
- PC+Lexan ↔ PC / PC+ABS / PC+ASA / PC+PMMA – ideal.
- PC+Lexan ↔ PC+PBT / PC+GF / PC+HI / PC+FR – good bond.
❌ Incompatible with:
- PP, PE, PA, PVC, PS, simple ABS, TPO – different melting, low adhesion.
💡 ReplastMD Recommendation:
Use original SABIC PC or Lexan rods at 265–280 °C. Heating must be gradual to avoid browning. After welding, gloss can be restored with controlled hot air or fine optical polish.
🧠 How to Identify PC+Lexan
- Engraved marking: >PC<, >LEXAN<, >SABIC<, >PC+LEXAN<.
- Glossy surface, transparent or semi-glossy.
- Color: transparent, smoked grey, glossy black.
- Softens at ≈ 260 °C without bubbling.
- ReplastMD practical test: if the part is glossy, rigid, transparent, and bears the >LEXAN< inscription, it’s confirmed SABIC polycarbonate.
🛠️ PC+Lexan Welding at ReplastMD:
At our ReplastMD service center (Chisinau, Ciocana sector), we perform professional Lexan welding for headlight lenses and premium components, ensuring a clear, “like-new” finish with original durability.