聚碳酸酯(PC)是碳酸的聚酯类，碳酸本身并不稳定，但其衍生物(如光气，尿素，碳酸盐，碳酸酯)都有一定稳定性。
按醇结构的不同，可将聚碳酸酯分成脂族和芳族两类。
脂族聚碳酸酯。如聚亚乙基碳酸酯，聚三亚甲基碳酸酯及其共聚物，熔点和玻璃化温度低，强度差，不能用作结构材料
但利用其生物相容性和生物可降解的特性，可释放载体，手术缝合线，骨骼支撑材料等方面获得应用。
聚碳酸酯耐弱酸，耐弱碱，耐中性油。
聚碳酸酯不耐紫外光，不耐强碱。Aliphatic polycarbonate. For example, poly (ethylene carbonate) , poly (trimethylene carbonate) and their copolymers, which have low melting point and glass transition temperature and poor strength, can not be used as structural materials, but their Biocompatibility and biodegradable properties, it can be used as release carrier, Surgical suture, bone support material and so on.
Polycarbonate is resistant to weak acid, weak alkali and neutral oil. Polycarbonate is not resistant to ultraviolet light, strong alkali. PC is a linear carbonated polyester, the molecular carbonates and other groups alternately arranged, these groups can be aromatic, can be aliphatic, or both. 
Bisphenol A Type PC is an important industrial product. PC is a nearly colorless amorphous glassy polymer with excellent optical properties. PC high molecular weight resin has very high toughness. The notched impact strength of the cantilever beam is 600 ~ 900 J/m, and the hot deformation temperature of the unfilled grade is about 130 ° C
PC是一种线型碳酸聚酯，分子中碳酸基团与另一些基团交替排列，这些基团可以是芳香族，可以是脂肪族，也可两者皆有。双酚A型PC是重要的工业产品。
PC是几乎无色的玻璃态的无定形聚合物，有很好的光学性。PC高分子量树脂有很高的韧性，悬臂梁缺口冲击强度为600~900J/m，未填充牌号的热变形温度大约为130°C ，玻璃纤维增强后可使这个数值增加10°C。
PC的弯曲模量可达2400MPa以上，树脂可加工制成大的刚性制品。低于100°C 时，在负载下的蠕变率很低。PC耐水解性差，不能用于重复经受高压蒸汽的制品。
PC主要性能缺陷是耐水解稳定性不够高，对缺口敏感，耐有机化学品性，耐刮痕性较差，长期暴露于紫外线中会发黄。和其他树脂一样，PC容易受某些有机溶剂的侵蚀。