Polycarbonate

Polycarbonate (PC) is an amorphous engineering thermoplastic renowned for its exceptional impact strength — up to 250 times greater than glass — combined with excellent optical clarity and high thermal resistance. Its ability to transmit light nearly as well as glass while withstanding significant mechanical stress has made it indispensable in safety glazing, optical lenses, and durable consumer product housings. PC is also one of the few transparent plastics capable of maintaining structural integrity at elevated temperatures, with a heat deflection temperature reaching 130°C under load.

Mechanical Properties

• Density: 1.20 g/cm³
• Tensile Strength: 65 MPa
• Yield Strength: 60 MPa
• Elongation at Break: 120%
• Flexural Modulus: 2,300 MPa
• Hardness (Rockwell): R 70 (M scale: M70)
• Heat Deflection Temperature: 130°C @ 1.8 MPa
• Melting Point: 260–310°C
• Thermal Conductivity: 0.19 W/m·K
• Coefficient of Thermal Expansion: 6.5 × 10⁻⁵ /°C
• Water Absorption: 0.12%
• Flammability Rating: V-2 / V-0 (UL94, varies by grade

Advantages

🟢 Exceptional impact resistance (notch impact up to 600–900 J/m); remains ductile at sub-zero temperatures down to -40°C

🟢 Outstanding optical clarity (light transmission ~89–90%); naturally transparent without additives

🟢 High thermal resistance — HDT of 130°C under load; suitable for high-temperature environments

🟢 Excellent dimensional stability; low moisture absorption leads to minimal dimensional change after molding

🟢 Good electrical insulating properties across a wide frequency and temperature range

🟢 Food-contact and medical-grade grades available; biocompatible and sterilizable

Machining & Manufacturing

Common Applications