Polycarbonate (PC)

Other materials:

Polycarbonate cards are produced from a group of thermoplastic polymers. Combining strength, light weight and flexibility, polycarbonate resins lend themselves perfectly for card manufacture.

Secure layered construction

Polycarbonate cards are made of layers of polycarbonate films, laminated into a single solid layer. Unlike other card materials, lamination can be carried out without the use of an adhesive. The films cannot be subsequently separated without destroying the card enhancing protection against tampering and fraud. Chips and antennas can be securely embedded in the layered films of a polycarbonate card.

Long-term performance

Polycarbonate films also offer excellent mechanical and thermal properties. They are resistant to heat up to 145°C and do not warp after extended exposure to high temperatures. Polycarbonate retains its stiffness even at low temperatures.

Polycarbonate is used to make CDs, bulletproof glass, water bottles and, increasingly, cards and secure passport laminates. Stronger and more expensive than PVC, its durability makes polycarbonate an ideal material for cards intended for a service life of ten years or more, such as national ID, passports and driving licences. When finally incinerated for disposal, polycarbonate mainly produces water and carbon dioxide.

Personalisation

Polycarbonate cards can benefit from the high-cost but virtually tamper-proof personalisation technique of laser engraving. Databac can manufacture these cards with an additional outer layer of PVC, for an affordable method of personalisation with standard direct card D2T2 (dye sublimation) card printers.

We also manufacture our own PC card with a Teslin central core (see section on Teslin) called PolyFlex PC. This construction has been shown in tests to be much more durable than a 100% PC card.

Plastic Identification Code 7 (shared with ABS and others)

» Find out more about PolyFlex PC.