The hydrolytic stability of some commercially available polycarbonates

Abstract A number of commercially available polycarbonates, including formulations made flame retardant by two different modifications, have been exposed to conditions producing moderately rapid hydrolysis. Hydrolysis rates were calculated from molecular weight data determined by gel permeation chromatography and, in some cases, from melt flow rate data. The rates calculated by the two methods are in good agreement. In general, the standard formulations containing minimal additive packages are the most hydrolytically stable. Although one relatively new flame retardant polycarbonate demonstrates generally good resistance to hydrolysis, most of the flame retardant formulations appear to be quite susceptible to hydrolytic degradation. For these materials, hydrolysis under conditions encountered in use could cause significant decreases in impact strength within a few years.