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Lotte HOPELEX PC 1220U Polycarbonate, Outdoor UV Resistant Grade

Lotte HOPELEX PC-1220U low-viscosity UV-stabilized polycarbonate resin. MFI 22 g/10min, high impact resistance, optical clarity. Ideal for outdoor lighting, automotive exterior parts, and EV charging components. Direct supply channel with COA traceability. In-stock across four China warehouses.

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One of the most common headaches we hear from injection molders working on outdoor products is premature yellowing and embrittlement—especially on transparent parts. The culprit is almost always UV degradation. Standard polycarbonate, without proper stabilization, undergoes chain scission when exposed to prolonged sunlight, and the mechanical properties drop faster than most people expect. Lotte HOPELEX PC-1220U is a low-viscosity, UV-stabilized polycarbonate resin developed specifically for these demanding outdoor and light-exposed applications. Over the years, we have supplied this grade to molders across the lighting, automotive, and electronics sectors, and the feedback consistently points to one thing: it holds up when standard PC does not.

Product Specifications

Property	Test Method	Value	Unit
Melt Flow Index (300°C / 1.2 kg)	ASTM D1238	22	g/10min
Specific Gravity	ASTM D792	1.20	—
Mold Shrinkage (flow direction)	ASTM D955	0.5–0.7	%
Tensile Strength (yield, 50 mm/min)	ASTM D638	61.8 (approx. 630)	MPa (kgf/cm²)
Tensile Elongation (break, 50 mm/min)	ASTM D638	>100	%
Flexural Strength (yield, 10 mm/min)	ASTM D790	90.2 (approx. 920)	MPa (kgf/cm²)
Flexural Modulus (10 mm/min)	ASTM D790	2350 (approx. 24,000)	MPa (kgf/cm²)
IZOD Impact Strength (notched, 23°C, 3.18 mm)	ASTM D256	690	J/m
Heat Deflection Temperature (0.45 MPa)	ASTM D648	139	°C
Heat Deflection Temperature (1.8 MPa)	ASTM D648	128	°C
Vicat Softening Temperature (Rate B/50)	ASTM D1525	150	°C
Light Transmittance	ASTM D1003	89	%
Haze	ASTM D1003	<0.8	%
Refractive Index	ASTM D542	1.585	—

Source: Lotte Chemical – HOPELEX PC-1220U Public TDS

Key Properties

UV Stabilization – The resin contains a built-in UV absorber that significantly slows down photo-degradation. In practical terms, this translates to longer service life for outdoor parts. We have seen transparent outdoor lighting covers retain their optical clarity for over two years in real-world installations—something standard PC grades rarely achieve.
Low Viscosity / High Flowability – With an MFI of 22 g/10min at 300°C / 1.2kg, Lotte HOPELEX PC-1220U flows readily into thin-wall cavities and complex geometries. Molders who run large, thin-walled parts report fewer short shots and more consistent fill patterns compared to higher-viscosity grades.
Excellent Optical Clarity – At 89% light transmittance and haze below 0.8%, this grade delivers optical performance suitable for transparent applications where visual inspection or light transmission is critical. The low haze also makes it a strong candidate for lenses and display covers.
Halogen-Free and Phthalate-Free – The material contains no halogens or phthalate plasticizers and complies with RoHS requirements, which simplifies regulatory compliance for manufacturers exporting to the EU and other regulated markets.
Balanced Mechanical Toughness – Notched IZOD impact strength of 690 J/m (at 3.18 mm) combined with a flexural modulus of 2350 MPa gives this grade a useful balance of ductility and rigidity. Parts absorb impact energy without brittle failure, yet maintain sufficient stiffness for structural applications.

Applications with Real-World Examples

Outdoor LED Lighting Housings and Lenses – A lighting manufacturer producing street lamp covers and garden light diffusers switched from a standard PC to Lotte HOPELEX PC-1220U after experiencing field failures related to yellowing and cracking within the first 12 months. With the UV-stabilized formulation, they extended product life to over 24 months without compromising optical performance. The low viscosity also helped them reduce cycle times on thin-walled lens geometries.

Automotive Exterior Components – A tier-two supplier uses this grade for exterior signal lamp covers and decorative trim parts. The combination of UV stability and flowability allows them to mold large, visually demanding parts with consistent surface quality. One production manager noted that the material's consistent MFI from batch to batch helped stabilize their processing parameters across multiple injection molding machines.

Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure – With the rapid growth of EV charging stations worldwide, outdoor-rated enclosures and display panels are in high demand. Several EV charger manufacturers we work with specify Lotte HOPELEX PC-1220U for transparent covers and status indicator windows. The UV resistance ensures the covers remain readable and impact-resistant across temperature swings and prolonged sun exposure.

Solar Junction Boxes and Outdoor Enclosures – We have also supplied this grade to manufacturers of solar combiner boxes and outdoor electrical enclosures. The low viscosity allows for insertion of metal terminal pins without cracking, and the moisture resistance prevents hydrolysis issues in humid environments.

Outdoor LED lighting and automotive applications

Technical Comparison

Parameter	Lotte HOPELEX PC-1220U	Generic General-Purpose PC (Typical Market Value)
MFI (300°C / 1.2kg)	22 g/10min	10–15 g/10min
UV Stabilization	Yes (built-in)	Typically no
Light Transmittance	89%	88–89%
Notched IZOD Impact (3.18mm)	690 J/m	600–850 J/m
Outdoor Suitability	Recommended	Not recommended without UV additive

For applications requiring higher impact resistance, our team at Primetech can also modify this grade into a PC/ABS alloy or add specific colorants while maintaining the UV stability—something we regularly do for customers who need both aesthetics and outdoor durability.

Primetech plastics modification services

Supply Chain and Logistics

Qingdao Prime Union Trade Co., Ltd. brings over two decades of experience in the engineering plastics supply chain. We maintain a direct supply channel with Lotte Chemical, which means every batch of Lotte HOPELEX PC-1220U we supply comes with original COA and full lot traceability. We stock this grade regularly across our four company-owned warehouses strategically located in China, covering major manufacturing hubs. Our logistics setup supports flexible trade arrangements including general trade, processing trade, and bonded warehouse operations. For international buyers, we are also able to coordinate container loading and export documentation efficiently. Besides polycarbonate, our product portfolio includes ABS, PP, PMMA, and EVA—all sourced through established relationships with manufacturers including Chimei, SABIC, Hanwha Total, and Hyosung.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the main advantage of Lotte HOPELEX PC-1220U over standard polycarbonate?

A: The key differentiator is built-in UV stabilization, which significantly improves outdoor weatherability. Standard PC typically requires secondary UV coating or additive masterbatches, while PC-1220U has this protection integrated at the resin level. Combined with its high flowability (MFI 22), it is a more consistent and cost-effective solution for outdoor injection-molded parts.

Q: Can this grade be colored or compounded with other additives?

A: Yes. Our sister company, Qingdao Primetech Plastics Co., Ltd., specializes in compounding and color solutions for engineering plastics. We can modify Lotte HOPELEX PC-1220U with colorants, impact modifiers, flame retardants, or glass fillers depending on your end-use requirements. Standard color matching and basic modification samples are available on a 3-day lead time, with production quantities in 7 days. Samples are fee-based, with the sample cost credited toward the first full order.

Q: Is Lotte HOPELEX PC-1220U compliant with environmental regulations?

A: Yes. The grade is halogen-free, phthalate-free, and compliant with RoHS requirements based on Lotte Chemical's public technical data sheet. This makes it suitable for export to regions with strict chemical regulations.

Q: What quality documentation do you provide with each shipment?

A: We provide original COA (Certificate of Analysis) from Lotte Chemical for every batch, complete with lot numbers and full traceability. MSDS and technical data sheets are also available upon request.

Q: What is the recommended processing window for this resin?

A: The material should be dried at 120°C for 4 hours prior to molding to achieve a maximum moisture content of 0.02%. Recommended melt temperature range is 290–310°C, with mold temperature set between 60–90°C. We have found that staying within these parameters minimizes drooling and burn marks on finished parts.

For outdoor applications requiring UV resistance, high flow, and optical clarity, Lotte HOPELEX PC-1220U delivers a balanced performance profile that is hard to match with standard polycarbonate grades—especially when combined with our in-house compounding support and reliable supply chain coverage.

Source: Lotte Chemical – HOPELEX PC-1220U Public Technical Data Sheet