Dafu

Introduction

In the world of protective cover materials for consumer electronics, the balance between surface hardness and impact resistance is notoriously difficult to achieve. Pure polycarbonate (PC) offers outstanding toughness but suffers from low scratch resistance, while pure acrylic (PMMA) provides excellent hardness but is brittle. Foshan Dafu New Material Co., Ltd. addresses this challenge with its DFPCMH11 and DFPCM11 series PC composite plates​ – a layered structure that bonds a PMMA top layer to a PC substrate, combining the best properties of both materials.

This article provides a detailed technical analysis of these composite plates, including their physical properties, mechanical performance, optical characteristics, and recommended applications.

Product Description

The DFPCMH11/DFPCM11 series is a plastic composite plate​ consisting of a PMMA (acrylic) layer co-extruded or laminated onto a PC (polycarbonate) base layer. The DFPMH11 variant is a high-impact acrylic plate used for comparison. Key attributes include:

• High hardness​ on the PMMA surface (pencil hardness 1H at 750g load)
• Excellent impact resistance​ due to the ductile PC core
• Good machinability​ – can be cut, drilled, and milled with standard tools
• Optical clarity​ – light transmission >90%, haze <1%
• Scratch and abrasion resistance​ from the hard PMMA topcoat

Specifications and Dimensions

Physical and Mechanical Properties

The following table summarizes the typical property values from the manufacturer’s technical data sheet:

Key Performance Highlights

1. Superior Surface Hardness

The PMMA outer layer achieves a pencil hardness of 1H​ under 750g load, which is significantly harder than bare PC (which measures only 4B under the same test). This makes the composite plate highly resistant to scratches from daily handling, keys, or coins.

2. Exceptional Impact Toughness

Despite the hard surface, the PC substrate absorbs impact energy effectively. The 22g bullet-shaped drop test​ yields a result of >300 mm​ for the composite plate – double the >150 mm of the pure high-impact acrylic (DFPMH11). This means the composite can survive accidental drops from greater heights without cracking.

3. Optical Clarity

With light transmission exceeding 90% and haze below 1%, the material is optically clear enough for use as a display cover lens. The yellowness index below 1 ensures neutral color appearance over time.

4. Balanced Mechanical Strength

Tensile strength is isotropic (55 MPa in both MD and TD), indicating uniform properties regardless of orientation – important for die-cutting and forming processes.

Recommended Applications

The unique combination of hardness and toughness makes DFPCMH11/DFPCM11 ideal for:

• Mobile phone back covers and front shields​ – resists scratches while surviving drops
• Tablet PC touchscreen overlays​ – provides a smooth, durable writing surface
• Monitor lens covers​ – protects delicate display panels from impact and abrasion
• Coating substrates​ – the hard PMMA surface accepts hard coatings (anti-fingerprint, anti-glare) with excellent adhesion
• Automotive interior trim​ – where scratch resistance and impact safety are required

Processing Guidelines

The composite plate can be processed using conventional methods:

• Cutting:​ Laser cutting, die-cutting, or CNC routing
• Printing:​ Screen printing, pad printing, or UV inkjet on the PMMA side
• Forming:​ Cold bending or thermoforming (within PMMA temperature limits)
• Coating:​ Vacuum deposition or wet coating on the hardened surface

Conclusion

Foshan Dafu’s DFPCMH11/DFPCM11 PC composite plate successfully bridges the gap between the hardness of acrylic and the toughness of polycarbonate. With a pencil hardness of 1H, impact resistance exceeding 300mm, and optical clarity above 90%, it offers a compelling solution for consumer electronics manufacturers seeking durable, scratch-resistant, and impact-tolerant cover materials. Whether used as a phone backplate, tablet lens, or monitor shield, this composite delivers reliability in demanding everyday use.