Cleanroom Construction
Description
StatiCon® Glazing is a family of transparent plastic sheet products designed to control static electricity in cleanroom construction applications. PC-300™ Polycarbonate, a member of this family, is a premium quality polycarbonate sheet which has been coated with SciCron Technologies proprietary, clear, C-300™ static dissipative coating. This unique technology prevents charge generation on the sheet surfaces, thereby controlling particulate attraction and pre-venting electrostatic discharge (ESD) events. This performance is permanent and totally independent of humidity. PC-300 Polycarbonate offers the cleanroom builder exceptional design versatility since it fabricates simply with field tools, has 250 times greater impact resistance than tempered glass, is less than half the weight of glass for the same thickness sheet, and is available in large sheet sizes. It also exhibits superior flame spread properties, plus excellent clarity and chemical resistance.
Applications
PC-300 Polycarbonate resists tribocharging under all circumstances and cannot generate a charge when properly grounded. This makes it ideal for use in manufacturing and assembly operations for charge sensitive electronic components where it can help prevent both immediate and latent ESD caused defects. Since it resists charge build-up it does not attract contaminants, so it can also help prevent contamination-related rejects in ultra-clean manufacturing operations. Consequently, it is suitable for use in cleanrooms for the semiconductor, electronic, micro-manufacturing, pharmaceutical, and bio-medical industries. It is useful for panels and fabricated items which require high impact strength or improved flame spread properties, including; perimeter and door windows, transparent room partitions, light weight floor-to-ceiling window walls, laminar flow air containment screens, mini-environment glazing panels, pass-thru modules, and equipment covers and enclosures.
Fabrication
PC-300 Polycarbonate is easily fabricated into flat surface configurations using the same equipment and fabrication techniques generally employed with uncoated polycarbonate sheet products. It should not be used for heat formed bent configurations since the hard, cured C-300 surface is not designed for heat bending. For more information on fabrication, refer to SciCron Technologies Technical Information Bulletin No. SP-01.
Features and Benefits
- Cannot be tribocharged when properly grounded
Prevents build-up of static charge and accumulation of harmful contamination. - Electrostatic decay in less than 0.05 second per Federal Test Standard 101C, Method 4046.1
Results in rapid static dissipation without arcing. - Surface resistivity of 106 – 108 ohms per square
Provides for ESD control without the need for ionization. - Permanence in static dissipation performance
Avoids cost of application of temporary topical anti-stats. - Humidity independent static charge control
Avoids inconvenience of maintaining high levels of humidity and damage caused by such humidity. - Advanced technology, uniform surface treatment
Avoids conductive discontinuities (charged “hot spots”) often found with non-uniform, temporary topical anti-stats. - Superior impact resistance
Provides exceptional shatter resistance for safety. - Superior flame spread properties
Provides additional protection for equipment in a fire. - Inherently light weight material with large sheet sizes
Allows much greater design and installation flexibility than heavy, fragile, conventional glazing. - Hard, mar resistant, durable surface
C-300 surface, harder than the base plastic, reduces risk of damage to the sheet surfaces. - Superior chemical resistance
Reduces risk of solvent or chemical surface damage. - Excellent clarity
Premium optical quality polycarbonate with clear C-300 surface minimizes visible distortion. - PC-300™ Polycarbonate is not designed for exposure to direct sunlight and is not warranted for external applications.
Availability
PC-300 Polycarbonate is available in clear and transparent gray and bronze tints. Other colors are available by special order.
Standard Dimensions
Thickness: 3mm (1/8″), 4.5mm (3/16″), 6mm (1/4″), 9mm (3/8″), 12mm (1/2″) plus films 10-90 mils
Standard Sheet Size: 48″ x 96″
Other sizes and thicknesses, including oversize sheets, available upon request.
Made in USA
Typical Physical Properties (Typical but not guaranteed values for 0.25 inch material)
| Property | Test Method | Units | PC-300 Polycarbonate |
| Physical Specific Gravity | ASTM D792 | — | 1.20 |
| Mechanical Tensile Strength Ultimate Elongation Tensile Modulus Flexural Strength Flexural Modulus Compressive Strength Izod Impact Strength (milled notch) | ASTM D638 ASTM D638 ASTM D638 ASTM D790 ASTM D790 ASTM D695 ASTM D256 | psi % psi psi psi psi ft-lb/inch of notch | 9,500 100 340,000 13,500 340,000 12,500 16 |
| Thermal Deflection Temperature (264 psi load) Vicat Softening Point Maximum Continuous Service Temperature Coefficient of Thermal Expansion Coefficient of Thermal Conductivity | ASTM D648 ASTM D1525 — ASTM D696 Cenco-Fitch | °F °F °F in/in/°F BTU•in/hr•ft2•°F | 270 310 180 3.8 x 10-5 1.35 |
| Flammability Horizontal Burn (Flame Spread) UL 94 Rating | ASTM D635 UL 94 | in/min UL Classification | Less than 1.0 V-2 0.118 – 0.236 in V-0 ≥ 0.236 in |
| Optical 3mm Transparent Clear Transmittance – Total Haze | ASTM D1003 ASTM D1003 | % % | 75 Less than 5.0 |
| Electrical Surface Resistivity Surface Resistance Electrostatic Decay | ASTM D257 EOS/ESD S11.11 FTS 101C, Method 4046.1* | ohms/sq ohms sec | 106 – 108 105 – 107 Less than 0.05 |
Chemical Resistance ASTM D543
Samples immersed in the specified chemicals for 24 hours at room temperature and visually examined.
| Chemical | Surface Attack | Visual Evaluation |
| Deionized Water | None | Clear |
| 30% Sodium Hydroxide | None | Cloudy |
| 30% Sulfuric Acid | None | Clear |
| 30% Nitric Acid | Some Pitting | Clear |
| 48% Hydrofluoric Acid | Pitted Coating | Clear |
| Methanol | Slight Pitting | Clear |
| Ethanol | None | Clear |
| Isopropyl Alcohol | None | Clear |
| Acetone | Severe Pitting | Opaque |
Light Transmission
Spectral Analysis
Precautions:
- Polycarbonate plastic is a combustible thermoplastic. Avoid exposure to flame and excessive heat. Observe fire precautions appropriate for comparable forms of wood and paper.
- For building applications, comply with applicable code regulations.
- Clean with soap and water. Do not use abrasives. Avoid inappropriate contact with solvents.
SC PC-300-6 6/19
The information and statements contained herein are believed to be accurate, however, users should perform their own testing and verification to determine the durability, applicability and suitability of the products for their own purposes. NOTHING CONTAINED HEREIN SHALL BE CONSTRUED AS A REPRESENTATION OR WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED. IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE ARE HEREBY EXCLUDED. All sales are subject to SciCron’s standard terms and conditions of sale.