capitolo 12 sui policarbonati apparso nel libro Handbook of Engineering and Speciality Thermsynthesis characterization and proprplastics

This chapter reviews the research and the most relevant progresses in polycarbonates (PC)s science and provides a comprehensive source of information on histoty, synthesis, processing and applications. The application of different polymerization procedure of hte commercial aromatic bisphenol-A polycarbonate (referred herein as PC) and the innovative enzymatic catalysed polymerization of aliphatic polycarbonate are summarized. Due to the high engineering performance of PC polymer, an extensive section on mechanical, electrical, chemical and therma properties is included. The thermo and photo oxidative behaviours, the hydrolytic stability and the consequent modification on PC chemical structure are also discussed. The development of PC polymeric materials such as composites and blends are also addressed, emphasizing in particular the properties and the applications of impact modified PC blends and even of PC/Polyester systems.